Ticket Machines, Fares and Concessions
Buses in the London Buses network accept both Travelcards and Oyster card products including bus passes, as well as single cash fares. Cash fares used to be charged in relation to length of journey (fare stages), but are now charged as single flat fares for any length of journey. From 2000, the flat fare was higher for journeys in Zone 1 than in outer zones, although from 2004 this difference was eliminated, the change coinciding with the introduction of Oyster card flat fares. Cash fares are considerably higher than Oyster fares for the same journey.
With the Oyster card pay as you go (formerly Pre Pay), users are charged a set amount for single journeys, although there is a "daily cap", which limits the maximum amount of money that will be deducted from the balance on a Pay as you go Oyster card regardless of how many buses are taken that day (from 4.30 am to 4.30 am the next day). Alternatively, weekly and monthly passes may also be purchased and loaded onto an Oyster card.
All children under 11 travel free. Children aged 11 to 15 travel free on buses with an 11-15 Oyster photocard; without an Oystercard or Travelcard, they have to pay the full adult cash fare. There are concessions for people aged 16 to 18.
The Freedom Pass scheme allows those over 60 and those with a disability to travel free at any time on buses. People who have concessionary bus passes issued by English local authorities travel free on TfL bus services at any time.
Many bus stops within the West End of London fall into a "cashless" area. In other places, single tickets may be purchased directly from the bus driver. Most passengers use the Oyster Card, as the cash fare is higher than the Oyster fare.
Read more about this topic: London Buses
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