Oystercards and Routemaster Buses

Published on 11 December 2003 in London, Transport, buses, London, Oystercard, Routemaster, Transport for London

Anyone in London can’t have missed Oystercards – the new smart card travel ticket from Transport for London. But how do you use them on London’s open-backed Routemaster buses?

According to the Oystercard website:

"Although not all buses are currently equipped with Oyster card readers you can still use your Oyster card on them. Just show the Bus Conductor your Oyster card and Photocard when requested."

http://www.oystercard.com/faq_ask_faq8.php

Tonight I didn’t even do that. I just waved my Oystercard wallet at the driver and he said "Thanks" and walked on. It could have been completely empty for all he knew.

It’s a strange state of affairs when you can get on a bus by just showing the holder that your ticket should be in! Still, the Routemasters are slowly being withdrawn after fifty odd years of faithful service, so it’s not going to be a problem for much longer.