edinburgh city buses..

[missjef]

i went to edinburgh last week, and was a bit suprised by the bus system - can someone please explain to me why the buses are like this? what i mean is we got on a bus in the city centre to go to the zoo, only to find out that you have to have the right amount of change, otherwise you dont get any change back. why is it like this?
many thanks

[delboy3]

I think Dublin has the same system, and I'm sure that a few Manchester buses had it some years ago. I guess it's just to speed up the buses and not have the driver faffing around giving change of a �20 note for a 35p ride.

[libertie]

Most people here in the city are used to it now, and it's not uncommon for people to get on the bus then go around asking other passengers if they have change of a fiver or tenner

[libertie]

oops, posted to quick! Meant to add that I hope you had a good break and the next time you come make sure you have lots of loose change! By the way did you see the penquin parade at the zoo...dead cute aren't they!

[Scotman84]

Aberdeen's busses have been like that for years. It's a lot faster and because the money oes directly into a locked container via a slot, there is less risk of the driver being mugged. Also, it's no great hassle to ensure you have the correct change before boarding.

[Sammy Snake]

What if you don't catch the bus very often and have no idea what the fare will be?

[libertie]

I rarely use the buses, but some of my collegues use them daily and most of them buy travel passes!

[missjef]

thankyou very much for your answers, i see how it would be less hassle. it was just a bit of a shock when we got on and didnt have any loose change!

libertie - we did have a lovely break, and yes we did go see the penguin parade, i made sure of that!! they are sooo adorable. i loved the polar bear, the monkeys, the tigers & the jaguar too!! i basically just loved the whole zoo!

[Reenie29]

Birmingham has them too...

[Lizziedrip]

I'm going "home" in August haven't been for such a long time so this info has been invaluable. Many thanks