Exact fare-only on buses in S Wales

Stagecoach in South Wales will introduce an exact fare system for bus passengers paying with cash from 4 May in order to reduce the risk of transmitting Covid-19. The policy is in line with an instruction given to bus operators in Wales by the transport minister Ken Skates last month. “Where contactless payment facilities are not available on your services I ask that you immediately adopt a ‘no change given’ policy whereby passengers will not be offered change when purchasing travel tickets on the bus,” Skates told operators in a letter. “This will further reduce the need for close contact between the driver and passengers, as well as unnecessary cash handling.” Stagecoach said its policy was a temporary arrangement. Any additional revenue it generates will be donated to the NHS Charities Together Appeal that supports NHS staff and workers.