to think bus drivers charge what they like?

[mumof4sons]

I attended a travel-wise road show and was given some free one-day bus passes to use on local buses to get me started using public transport in my area. I tried to use one pass this morning to go into town and the bus driver was reluctant to let me use it, but he did.

I did my shopping in town and decided to come home. Got on bus, bus driver wouldn't let me use my free pass. So I said I'd pay. He quoted £2.10 - I handed him a £10 note, and he said he couldn't provide change for it. I was annoyed but polite and said I'd get some change and catch next bus.

I walked to nearest bakery, bought some scones paying with £10 note and received the change I needed all in time for next bus.

Next bus arrived, driver wouldn't accept free pass either. And he charged me £2.40 - so the bus fare went up 30p in 15 minutes.

Am I right to be annoyed? I was trying to support local transport. Do bus drivers just charge what they like?

And diet has been blown, because I have had to eat scones too.

Was it the same type of bus? Like the same service? Number etc?

It depends on where you catch the bus. The price can change from one stop to another, so doesn't really have anything to do with the bus driver. Did you walk to a different stop a little further up the road??

Where do you live OP?

In London all bus journeys are £1.35 flat rate with an oyster card (£2.50 or something without!) so, no the bus drivers can't charge what they like.

You should contact the bus company.

Write to the bus company - assuming that the passes are for that firm of buses. We have at least 3 firms operating in this town and they won't accept each others tickets. So despite two different buses running up here every 10 mins i would technically have to wait 20mins if i had a return ticket iyswim.

I hate buses.

Did you get on at the same bus stop? If you were at a different stop it may have been in the next zone so the next fare up?

Disappointing that they would not accept free pass though as hardly going to make you more likely to use the bus based on your experience is it....

Same bus stop, as don't know any other stops in town.

The free bus pass had the same logo as on the side of the bus.

I hate buses too. I was actually trying to save the parking fee, but ended up spending more because I had to buy scones for change.

Don't think I'll bother with bus again.

No YNBU as I have experienced this before and actually went to the trouble of complaining and the bus company/customer service centre would not accept they were in the wrong despite me having previous tickets to support my complaint.

OP could you send an email to your local transport co-ordinator at the council (County Council level)? It's these type of stories that they are interested in to try and make buses work for people. It's also pretty shocking that the driver wouldn't accept your free pass - what's the point in having them then?!

YANBU, I hate it when drivers say they can't give change! I once had a bus driver tell me he couldn't change a £5 note for a £1.50 fare! I don't mean to be mean but whether they have change or not isn't really my problem! IMO if you have enough for the fare but the driver doesn't have change they should let you on anyway and give you change when they have it. It isn't your fault if they don't have change!

Besides, they have a sign saying they can't change £20 or £50 notes but they don't say anything about £5 or £10 notes!

It's been about ten years since I used the bus but I remember getting the bus home from work one night and the driver telling me he couldn't provide change for my £10 note. It was 11pm, it was the last bus going to my town until 5am the next morning, so I just sat down and told him I didn't have anywhere special to be and could wait as long as he was willing to. He grumbled a bit, but somehow magically produced the change.

Mind you, I'm not in London, which might make a difference.

I rarely get buses, but am always astounded that the operators think it is okay not to provide change. It is also very embarrassing when you don't know how much the fare will be, and the driver gets arsey. It astounds me even more that a lot of people think it's unreasonable to complain about this sort of crap customer service, although this thread is quite cheering in that respect.