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Original poster

Bus company giving my £5 change to charity

140 replies

TomorrowIsAnotherDae · 21/05/2021 06:13

I had to go into work yesterday and travel by public transport. I decided to buy a weekly ticket as I will be making a few trips into work over the next week.

I went to pay for the £15 weekly ticket by card, which is recommended, but the driver said I couldn’t pay for that particular ticket by card as there had been problems with fraud and asked if I had cash. I had a £20 note so offered to pay with that. He took the note from me and issued my ticket. I asked for my change to be told that due to COVID he wasn’t able to give me change and the money would go to charity.

I wasn’t told beforehand that I wouldn’t be given change from my £20.00 note, which he happily handled without gloves, he wasn’t wearing a mask either.

Now I understand that some bus operators are demanding exact fare only, but I understood that is because they want passengers to pay by card. In my case I wasn’t allowed to pay by card.

The travel website still says that you can purchase this particular weekly ticket on the bus, but doesn’t say that you can only pay for it in cash and that you need to pay the exact amount.

I’m a bit miffed. The driver couldn’t even tell me what charity my fiver is going to.

I know this is ‘chat’ and not AIBU, but AIBU to think this isn’t right? I don’t seem to have a leg to stand on in terms of getting my money back.

OP posts:
TheQueef · 21/05/2021 06:15

Any signage on the bus saying correct fare only?

BonnyEm · 21/05/2021 06:16

I'd speak to the bus depot.
Unacceptable.

Theunamedcat · 21/05/2021 06:17

Contact the bus company they are wrong for not allowing you to pay by card

insancerre · 21/05/2021 06:17

Shocking
I would complain and demand a refund
You have your ticket as proof of bus and driver

Zampa · 21/05/2021 06:19

I'd contact the bus operator with the route number and time/date you were travelling and complain. It's one thing giving 5p in change to a charity but £5 could affect someone's abilities to pay bills etc. I'd definitely be making a fuss.

MistySkiesAfterRain · 21/05/2021 06:19

Contact the bus company. That's wierd. Happy to take your money but not give you money back Hmm

picturesandpickles · 21/05/2021 06:19

Contact the company and see what they say. Surprised they are still doing this!

picturesandpickles · 21/05/2021 06:20

@MistySkiesAfterRain

Contact the bus company. That's wierd. Happy to take your money but not give you money back Hmm
The reason is to not pass money between customers, as change is usually money recently handled by another customer, but the rationale for that is now long gone imo.
NewMatress · 21/05/2021 06:21

That's dodgy as hell. I seriously doubt any charity will see that money. Query it with the company.

annemarieok · 21/05/2021 06:22

The charity could be his wallet!
I'd be complaining about this for sure.

MaMaD1990 · 21/05/2021 06:25

I'd complain, that's not on at all. I've had this before but the bus driver just said "come and see me before you get off, I'll have your change once more people are on the bus". Got my change, no problem.

NutellaEllaElla · 21/05/2021 06:28

WTF you were literally just robbed

SirSamuelVimes · 21/05/2021 06:29

@annemarieok

The charity could be his wallet! I'd be complaining about this for sure.
Yep, this is exactly what I think.
HarebrightCedarmoon · 21/05/2021 06:31

Definitely complain, it sounds like the driver is stealing from customers.

Mayra1367 · 21/05/2021 06:33

That sounds very strange. I would expect signs informing you of this . Plus many people who use public transport are low income families so totally unacceptable to make a charity donation using your money. Please contact the bus company to check and possibly stop someone being scammed.

HarebrightCedarmoon · 21/05/2021 06:33

I went to pay for the £15 weekly ticket by card, which is recommended, but the driver said I couldn’t pay for that particular ticket by card as there had been problems with fraud and asked if I had cash

Also - that's total bollocks. I wonder how many £5 he has taken?

itsgettingwierd · 21/05/2021 06:35

Sounds like he has a lucrative little scheme to make himself some extra dish going on!

I'd email his company and ask "why can I not purchase my weekly ticket by card, what are the issues you have with fraud this way, why aren't you giving change and why aren't their signs expanding this. I'd also ask what charity all the change they are refusing is going to.

Always easier to catch people out when they are asked direct questions it may be too difficult to answer Wink

WowOoo · 21/05/2021 06:36

I didn't have change either on my last bus trip.

No mention of what would happen to my £1. I guessed it's a Covid thing and more regular bus users would have been prepared.

I'd rather he drove my bus safely without gloves and a mask as his glasses might have steamed up!
I'd be interested to know where all the change is going too.

Luddite26 · 21/05/2021 06:36

Totally wrong. Sounds like you have just been robbed. You must report this. it's principle. If you want to give a fiver to charity that's your choice not a bus drivers or even the bus company. Another example of covid being used as an excuse.
But this sounds dodgy as because he wouldn't let you use your card. Hope you complain and get your fiver back. Many times in my life that would have been a massive hit to my finances a company can not and is probably not operating like that. Sounds like a rogue driver.

rabbitwoman · 21/05/2021 06:37

Well, that doesn't make sense.

Cannot except credit card for that travel ticket because of fraud? Nonsense.

Can take cash but can not give you cash back because of Covid?

On the bus you are under pressure, to get on as quickly as possible because of the passengers behind you wanting to get on ; you probably can't hear properly, you don't have time to think, but then afterwards you scratch your head and think hmm mm...... That wasn't right.....

sashh · 21/05/2021 06:45

Another vote for his pocket as the charity.

OnlyInYourDreams · 21/05/2021 06:45

He pocketed the cash.

Someone I know worked for a bus company where the driver was caught doing this. He had worked there for 25 years. When he was caught he was instantly dismissed.

He bought himself a house in Portugal.

BitOfAFaff · 21/05/2021 06:46

He's nicked that. Complain.
Can't give money back? Makes no sense. What a thief.

Melitza · 21/05/2021 06:46

Well he was blatant.
Even if the money is going to charity, which I doubt, he has no right to keep your change.

DobbyTheHouseElk · 21/05/2021 06:50

He is a modern day Dick Turpin.

Complain. He will be making a good sideline this way.

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