TfL said 1% of bus passenger now paid with cash compared with 25% in 2000. A "one more journey" feature will allow passengers to make one more bus trip if there are insufficient funds on their Oyster cards.

Improving transport

The decision comes following a public consultation last year involving 37,000 people. TfL said one third of those who responded agreed with its proposal. Three quarters of those who responded saying they no longer paid cash fares on buses.

Leon Daniels, managing director for TfL surface transport said: "Customers will not only benefit from a quicker, cheaper and more convenient method of paying their bus fare; it will also enable us to save millions of pounds each year - which will be reinvested in further improvements to the capital's transport network."

TfL said cashless fares would save money as the cost of collecting such low levels of cash was high and delays would be reduced, also helping to save money.

When the plan was first announced Lib Dem London Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon said night-time journeys could be more difficult for some groups.

"Ending cash fares might make sense on many bus routes, but I think a case for ending them on night-time bus routes has yet to be made."

Last December, buses began to accept payment via contactless debit cards.

Source:
BBC News