Since the 6th July this year London buses have not been accepting cash. This is estimated to save Transport for London £24 million each year.
As soon as this change was first proposed Caroline Pidgeon Lib Dem GLA member raised concerns about how these changes will affect young people travelling on night buses.
Caroline has also taken up concerns that there needs to be far more places available for passengers to be able to top up their Oyster cards, as well as clear guidance for drivers to allow passengers to travel late at night if they perhaps have had their card stolen or don’t have the cash to top up their card.
TfL have listened in part and introduced a one more journey scheme that allows passengers using Oyster to travel an extra journey, which is effectively paid for when they next top up.
One further positive development is that the guidance given to bus drivers on whether to accept vulnerable passengers onto a bus has finally been published, after initial refusals by the Mayor of London to publish this information. A full report can be seen at the excellent Mayorwatch website.