When did buses stop accepting cash?

London buses officially stopped accepting cash for fares on 6 July 2014. Transport for London implemented this change to save approximately £24 million annually, as only 1% of passengers were still using cash at the time. Passengers were required to use Oyster, contactless cards, or prepaid tickets instead.

When did they stop taking cash on buses?

It costs £24 million a year to accept cash on London's buses. The removal of cash fares will deliver £130m savings to 2022/23 and this will be reinvested in improving transport in the capital. Cash fares will not be accepted from 04:30 on Sunday 6 July, the start of TfL's next fare charging period.

Do first buses still accept cash?

We encourage all of our customers to buy tickets using the First Bus App or to pay by contactless card on board. If you are paying with cash, please try to use the exact fare.

Do buses have to accept cash?

London buses are all cashless, so you need an Oyster card, Travelcard or contactless payment card to ride.

Can you pay bus fare with cash?

Cash (Bus Only)

Children above 0.9m in height and below 7 years old can apply for a Child Concession Card at SimplyGo Ticket Office to travel for free on basic bus and train services. Travellers may also opt to pay in cash on buses. Please prepare the exact fare as no change will be given.

How to pay for public transport in London (2025 UPDATE)

Do more buses accept cash?

No need for a ticket just tap on tap off with your contactless bank card. You can also pay the driver cash if you prefer a paper ticket, but we ask that you have the right change if you can. This £1 fare is not available on N1. N2 or N5.

Is it illegal for shops to refuse cash?

While cash is considered a legal tender, businesses have no legal obligation to accept it and have the right to set their own payment policies. This means that a brick-and-mortar store can refuse cash, just as they can reject other forms of payment, such as certain credit card payments or cheques.

Is cash payment illegal in the UK?

Cash-in-hand payments are legal but must follow strict tax and employment law rules. You must deduct and report tax and National Insurance and ensure staff receive payslips and legal entitlements. Staff must agree to be paid in cash, and you must treat it as net pay, not gross.

Is cash being phased out in the UK?

The UK is rapidly moving towards being a low-cash, but not fully cashless, society, with digital payments dominating, yet cash remains crucial for millions, especially vulnerable groups, leading to government efforts to protect access via legislation, banking hubs, and ATMs, even as some businesses go card-only and digital ID plans emerge. While cash use has plummeted (less than 10% of payments in 2024/25), the Bank of England and officials stress that a completely cashless system isn't feasible or desirable yet, focusing on maintaining choice and access for everyone, including the elderly and low-income individuals. 

Why did the bus only take 10p?

10p charges from us may seem random, but here's what's happening 👇 It's a temporary check to make sure your card is valid for travel. It's replaced with the actual fare once all your travel is complete over a 24-hour period, and this amount is usually charged at 4am.

Does a 12 year old need an Oyster card?

Children aged 11-15 can get free and discounted travel on all our transport services with a Zip Oyster photocard.

When did buses become contactless?

Contactless payments were introduced on London buses in December 2012 and have today been extended to the tube, tram, Docklands Light Railway, London Overground and National Rail services where Oyster is currently accepted.

Why is cash in hand illegal?

The legality of the payment depends entirely on whether the employer complies with relevant tax, employment, and record-keeping obligations. A cash payment becomes unlawful if it is used to conceal income, avoid tax, or underpay workers.

What happens if I deposit 5000 cash in the bank?

Cash deposits over $5,000 don't automatically trigger a government report. But they do put the transaction into a higher scrutiny bucket inside your bank. Tellers are trained to watch for patterns that look unusual for you. A single large deposit tied to a clear explanation rarely raises eyebrows.

Do Brits still use cash?

Use of cash has fallen dramatically in the last decade, from more than half of payments in 2009 to about 12% in 2023. Yet it is still the second most frequently used method of payment in the UK after debit card.

What countries are closest to cashless?

Wealthy nations are nearly cashless: Sweden (14%), Norway (10%), and South Korea (10%) show how digital payment infrastructure correlates with economic development.

Is it illegal to keep cash at home in the UK?

It is not illegal to keep cash at home in the UK, but it should be stored securely to mitigate risks. The amount of cash to have on hand varies, but a small amount for emergencies is recommended while keeping most in a secure bank account.

Why do people still use cash?

Cash is stable and resilient

Cash remains prevalent because it is stable and resilient. Regardless of the state of the economy wherever you are in the world, having cash means you can easily purchase goods and services.

Do bus drivers take cash?

People should always have a means of payment for their bus journey and we are happy to accept cash or contactless card payment.

Why am I seeing a $0.10 charge when paying for public transport?

When you tap your GXS FlexiCard on the fare gantry, a S$0.10 pre-authorisation charge is made to ensure your card is active and ready. Don't worry, this isn't your actual fare. It will be promptly returned once the final transaction details from SimplyGo are processed.

What happens if I forget to tap off the bus?

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. 

Are buses still 1 after 7pm?

Great news - if you use our buses after 7pm in zone A, single fares are just £1🚌 #buses #eveningsout #publictransport #workinglate #specialoffer.

Is Metrobus cashless?

​As part of its modernisation efforts, Metrobus has announced that it will transition to a cashless system on 1 October 2024, marking a major step in its digital transformation programme aimed at enhancing efficiency and improving commuter experiences.