London Bus Payment

[237SJ]

Is it true that you can pay a bus fare with a contactless debit card on London Transport? (this is if you don`t have an Oyster card)

[magicmick]

I know it does not answer your questiona 237SJ, but here in the NW i see people showing there mobil phone to the driver with a ticket or pass on the phone. This is a new one on me.

[magicmick]

Their mobil phone.

[SlackAlice]

Yes, you can.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/contactless?intcmp=8257

[237SJ]

magicmick - London buses went cash free some time ago and I actually saw a lady turned away by the driver a while ago because she didn`t have an Oyster card. Thanks slackalice. I have a friend staying who doesn`t have an Oyster so I`ll just use my Lloyds bank contactless then.

[mushroom25]

contactless is the way to go. as of today, the underground ticket offices at King's Cross St Pancras are now permanently closed. TFL advise that the former booking clerks are "front of house" now, to help guide passengers.

[jno]

they're gradually closing all tube ticket offices. It was obvious they would from the instant Boris promised they wouldn't.

http://metro.co.uk/2014/02/04/tube-strike-why-is-no-one-blaming-boris-broken-promise-4290461/

I have a contactless card, but considering how often it doesn't work in supermarkets I wouldn't be too optimistic.

[237SJ]

It worked today on the 111 to Kingston jno.

[jno]

oh, mine sometimes works and sometimes not. My motto is just never to rely on it.

[Jackdaw33]

Not all supermarkets are geared up for contactless payment. My local Coop is but my local Sainsbury's isn't

[Jackdaw33]

Sometimes I get the message, 'Not Accepted' only to be told by the assistant that the payment has been authorised. I think that there must be some teething problems. There is a certain button that the assistant has to press to enable contactless to work.

[Maydup]

Transport for London is definitely geared up for contactless cards across the buses and tubes. Equally you could get another Oyster card and load it up while your friend is with you then keep it to use for future guests or have it as a spare. We share and lend ours as we need to, its handy to have pay as you go unregistered card with a few pounds on it.

[jno]

oh, I only try it in ones that supposedly do accept it, Jackdaw. But sometimes they refuse and demand that I use it as normal, swiping/inserting and using a pin number. What happens if a bus won't accept it I don't know.

[237SJ]

Maydup - I gave my Dad`s Oyster card to a friend of mine who comes up from Devon twice a year and she has been using it for several years so it came in quite handy. I did think about giving my friend my late Mum`s Freedom Pass but somehow I don`t think she would pass for a 70 something (nice thought though)

[Jackdaw33]

There is a limit of £20. Anything over that and you have to use chip and pin.

[Jackdaw33]

A few years back, on Xmas Eve, of all times, the chip in my card became damaged, so it was useless in an ATM. Until I got a replacement I could still use it in shops by swiping, but had to sign a receipt.

[Jackdaw33]

Fares are cheaper if you use oyster/Travelcard. With contactless you are paying full whack and fares are not cheap in London (or anywhere else for that matter).

[mushroom25]

not true jackdaw - if you use a contactless card, you pay "oyster" rates.

and, the total daily amount is "capped" just like oyster, so you won't burst your £20 limit.

[dzug2]

Other than by having a travelcard, the only way to pay is by Oyster or contactless debit/credit card.

Both £1.50 a ride - which doesn't sound too bad unless you are only travelling a stop or two

[237SJ]

I`d still pay £1.50 to travel a stop or two!