If you want to travel on a TfL service you can use contactless, Oyster or cash. But maybe not cash. Using cash has been getting a lot harder of late.
This is not what I hoped to read on the blog this morning. I don't want to read about this. What will I read over breakfast now? Please try harder to be relevant and interesting.
Dissatisfied Commenter | 09.08.20 - 7:05 a.m.
It started with buses. TfL got rid of cash on buses in 2014 because it was expensive to handle and slowed down travel.
I remember all the fuss when they took cash off the buses. People yelled and screamed like the world was ending... but we hear no complaints today. You can't stop progress.
Pragmatic Commenter | 09.08.20 - 7:11 a.m.
Last year cashlessness came to Canary Wharf tube station. Machines in the ticket hall were adapted to accept cards only, supposedly as part of a trial. Anyone wanting to use notes or coins had to go elsewhere, most likely the adjacent DLR stations where all was normal.
People still use cash? I wonder how they function in wider society? Perhaps they should get a card? Am I the only person thinking this? Seriously?
Questioning Commenter | 09.08.20 - 7:18 a.m.
When coronavirus came along TfL decided it might be wise to protect staff from excess cash handling activity. On 18th May approximately two-thirds of tube stations were therefore designated "card only". The remaining stations were mostly those near hospitals or other NHS facilities.
You forgot to mention the high cost of emptying the machines. I was surprised you didn't mention the risk of vandalism. I would not have written it like this.
Frustrated Commenter | 09.08.20 - 7:22 a.m.
A pdf of Stations accepting cash has been made available on the TfL website. A total of 69 tube stations currently retain the ability to take your cash, plus all Overground and DLR stations. But not for long.
A sign has appeared at my local DLR station with bad news for cash users across east London. Apparently card only payment will start to be implemented on DLR ticket machines from 10th August, which is tomorrow. This is "for the safety of customers and staff".
This cannot be about safety otherwise they'd have done it months ago. TfL is an evil organisation and everyone who works for them is utterly incompetent.
Exaggerating Commenter | 09.08.20 - 7:31 a.m.
Passengers at a number of DLR stations lost the ability to pay with coins some time ago when a yellow shield was placed over the coin slot. Now the ability to pay with notes is to be taken away too.
The TfL website thinks that the changeover has already happened. It says "all DLR stations (except Lewisham, Woolwich Arsenal and Shadwell) are only accepting contactless or Oyster to pay for travel." This is not yet the case.
I think you'll find Stratford also accepts cash because it's a National Rail station. Also technically it's Shadwell Overground station that takes cash, not the DLR station.
Pedantic Commenter | 09.08.20 - 7:47 a.m.
Absolutely nowhere in the immediate vicinity of Pudding Mill Lane DLR station sells Mars bars, let alone does Oyster top-ups. Thankfully Pudding Mill Lane DLR station has hardly any passengers, especially at present, so hardly anybody will be inconvenienced.
I miss the days when you would go out and write about somewhere interesting. Please get your act together so I can remain indoors and read about your wider travels.
Exasperated Commenter | 09.08.20 - 7:52 a.m.
Tube and now DLR stations going cashless might just be a temporary measure. Alternatively not being able to travel even though you've got a £20 note might turn out to be the new normal. Like so many other aspects of life, the pandemic is accelerating change towards a future not everybody is prepared for.
I don't use cash any more. I haven't used cash for years. I literally do not understand why anyone might find this difficult.
