"M" usually refers to a meter, the base unit of length in the metric system, defined by the speed of light; one meter (m) equals 100 centimeters (cm), 1,000 millimeters (mm), about 3.28 feet, or roughly 39.37 inches, and is a bit longer than a yard.
In Roman numerals, a million is M with a horizontal bar over the letter. A horizontal bar over any Roman numeral multiplies its value by 1,000: C becomes 100,000, X becomes 10,000 and M with a bar becomes 1,000 times 1,000, or 1 million.
We are participating in the £3 fare cap scheme from 1st January 2025. £3 capped fares will be available for the duration of our participation in the scheme. The scheme is available in England only, including any areas where you can get a Stagecoach bus, except London and Greater Manchester franchised services.
The 10p payment is to check that the card is valid and has some balance. The charge will get updated to the correct amount once the day has completed and TfL have been able to calculate where you went and how much they need to charge you.
The original UK national £2 bus fare cap has largely ended, replaced by a £3 cap in England (extended to March 2027 in some areas), but specific regional schemes and pilot projects, like in the Liverpool City Region and parts of Scotland (Moray), have extended £2 caps into 2026, while Wales also discusses plans. So, it depends on your location: the national English scheme changed, but local initiatives are keeping £2 fares alive in places like Scotland and the Liverpool area.
If you don't tap off the bus, you'll typically be charged the single fare to the very end of the route, which is usually the highest possible fare for that bus, rather than the shorter distance you actually traveled, leading to overcharging. This often means you miss out on fare capping and pay more than intended, but you can usually contact the bus company's customer service to get a refund for the overcharge.
Children must be registered on the Merton Disability Database before an application for an M-Card can be accepted. Your child must meet certain criteria to be eligible for an M-Card. You can apply to join the database and apply for an M-Card in a single online application.
Yes, for London's public transport (Tube, buses, DLR), Zone 1, the central area, is generally the most expensive for single journeys and daily travel caps because it contains most major attractions, but you can sometimes find cheaper fares by cleverly crossing into it during off-peak times or by using specific Railcards, though staying out of Zone 1 usually costs less overall if you're not going far.
No, an Oyster card is generally not cheaper than tapping with contactless (bank card or phone), as they both use the same "pay as you go" (PAYG) system and have identical fare caps and discounts, making them the same price for most journeys. Contactless is often more convenient as it avoids the £5 Oyster card cost and the hassle of topping up, but Oyster can prevent foreign transaction fees if using a foreign bank card.
Get unlimited travel across London's transport network – including the Tube, buses, DLR, and trains – with one convenient card. Choose your duration: Pick from 1, 2, or 3-day passes when you order. Select your zones: Travel unlimited within either Zone 1-4 or Zone 1-6, depending on where you want to go.
To apply for a free travel pass (concessionary bus/travel card), you typically apply through your local council or a national transport body (like Transport for Wales/Scotland) by proving your age (e.g., 60+) or disability, residency, and identity with documents (passport, council tax bill, photo) online or in person, but specific requirements vary by region (UK, Ireland, etc.). Check your local authority's website or a national portal like GOV.UK for eligibility and application links.
The UK's £2 bus fare cap, originally ending in 2023, was extended multiple times and eventually transitioned to a £3 cap in England (outside London) from January 2025 to December 2025, funded by the government to help with living costs. However, some regions, like Liverpool City Region and Telford, have stepped in with local funding to keep their specific £2 caps running longer, with Liverpool aiming for 2026, while the national scheme shifted focus to the £3 cap to support bus services long-term.
What age can you travel free on the bus in the UK?
In the UK, you get a free bus pass at your State Pension age, which is currently 66 for most people in England, but varies by birth year. In Scotland and Wales, you can get a pass at 60, while in London, you can get a 60+ Oyster card for free bus travel (and tubes/trams) from age 60, but the Freedom Pass for all London transport kicks in at State Pension age.
A Zone 1 to 2 fare in London on Oyster or contactless is typically around £3.50 peak and £2.90 off-peak, with daily caps around £8.90 and weekly caps around £44.70 as of late 2025/early 2026, though fares change annually. Cash fares are much higher, around £7.00 for a single journey.
