A day or two ago, more than 8,500 London buses started to accept contactless debit, credit or charge cards to pay for single bus fares.

A traditional model of the London Routemaster Bus….

The new form of technology will allow passengers to use an American Express, MasterCard or Visa Europe contactless payment to directly pay for their bus journey.  Until the New Year fare rises, passengers will be charged the single Oyster fare of £1.35.
 
At some point in 2013 the technology will be extended to the Tube and the Docklands Light Railway and at this stage a daily cap is expected to be introduced as well, as already exists with Oyster cards.
 
Further information about how the ‘wave and pay’ operates can be seen at the TfL
and the BBC websites.
 
Commenting on the new technology Caroline Pidgeon said: “As wave and pay is rolled out across London, the Assembly will be keeping a close eye on its impact to provide the best deal.”
 
The London Assembly Transport Committee, which is chaired by Caroline Pidgeon, has long taken a close interest in how this new technology will operate.  Last year the committee published a report highlighting how the new technology should never exclude people without a bank account from being able to obtain the cheapest fares.
 
Please do keep us informed about your experience, especially any problems you might face, in using this new form of technology.
 
International coverage given to the campaign to change Oxford Street
 
The long standing London Liberal Democrat campaign to reduce road accidents, tackle air pollution and improve the shopping experience of the West End recently received international attention with a report from the Voice of America on the case for removing traffic from Oxford Street.  The report, featuring Stephen Knight, has been broadcast in numerous countries around the world and can be seen here.