The right procedure

[oscarina]

Yesterday I did a good deed, a young girl was getting on the bus to go home I was next in queue, she had a £10 note for a 85p journey and the bus driver said he didn't have any change, he actually wanted her to get of the bus, I paid for her fare as I didn't want to see her stranded and having to wait another 30mins for the next bus! Was the bus driver right to do this!

[society]

Mazie, that's my opinion, you are entitled to yours.

I always make it my business to have the correct fare at hand when taking the bus. Some people wait until they get on the bus then to dig down in they purse of pocked to see if they could come up with the fare. It's an inconvenience to the bus driver and the other passengers.

[New-Cam]

everyone............ 'cept the bus driver

[Eve]

Thinking about it, I got caught out in Birmingham. Got a bus from the city centre to see my brother and was directed to put my money into a funnel type collector.

I think I gave £2 for a fare of about £1.70/80ish (had no idea how much it would be before) and didn't realise it didn't give any change until too late. I left it as it was minimal. I guess if there is a set system of no change given then everyone knows the score, well, maybe not non locals but you catch my drift.

Would have been good to have had some kind of notice though so at least you know.

[mazie]

As I said society, I really shouldn't have an opinion, I've been too long away from using the bus.....I was just putting my business head on...so probably got on my soapbox when I shouldn't have....I still think the operators that make the money should do more to ensure the drivers can do their job more effectively

[CovKid]

A £10 note is legal tender for any payment, according to the Royal Mint.

http://www.royalmint....ender_guidelines.aspx

I'm puzzled about notes not being legal tender in NI and Scotland. I know NI and Scottish notes are not legal tender anywhere (incl. NI and S) but I thought Bank of England were legal tender throughout the UK (at least). Anyone know?

[CovKid]

I've been able to answer my own question.
http://www.siliconglen.com/Scotland/1_7.html

[rowanwitch]

automated cash collection on buses means that the fares taken go straiight into a sealed 'safe box' the driver cannot access this to give change. In Birmingham no change is given at all as fare collection is via a payment chute. In london i believe most operators operate a collect the change from the garage the next day policy although the drivers seem to have a small change float . It is also worth remebering in these days of high pass use drivers on quieter routes wont take £20 in cash fares during a shift....I used to find this years ago when admin manager at a busy london Garage...the cash amounts on some of the routes were negligible in relation to the passenger numbers. and that was back in the 1980s must be even more the case now.

[oscarina]

Had a chat with customer services at the bus office in question, Gentleman there told me that the driver should not have refused to let the girl travel especially as she was a minor and may have been stranded he should have accepted payment he may have collected more fares on the journey to give her change, but that settles the subject for me!

[cazzz1975]

what if he didnt collect the fares though?

[Davethedog]

Many years ago my daughter was refused a bus ride because he said the pound coin she offered was fake. And made her get off the bus she was 13 and had been waiting 40 minutes.

Thebus company told me he should have taken her name and address and allwed her to travel.

I did my best to get the guy sacked.

[oscarina]

Hi Cazzz, it would have been left to his descretion, also he could have taken her £10 and given her a receipt to collect the change at the bus office depot!