You're lucky you weren't in London.
He'd have shot you in the face.

Seriously, I know it's not the most wonderful job in the world, but is an application requirement that every London busdriver has to a psychotically rude, unhelpful jobsworth? I've had a driver turn me away because he couldn't (or wouldn't) change a fiver. Twat.
Every so often you get one who's helpful or friendly or even just basically polite and you almost faint.
Sorry, rant over.
( Mr. Tea 'ulmmm'/'mmneurgh', Mon 11 Jul 2005, 15:53, archived)

in birmingham
it's exact change only. So if you've only got a fiver then you either get no change or don't get on.

edit: actually they probably wouldn't take a fiver, coinage only.
( asparagus time Is in Brazil., Mon 11 Jul 2005, 15:56, archived)

so the rationale is:
english sterling but no change: no entry
Correct change and fucking big bomb: climb aboard
( Dirty Bob hasn't been here for ages, Mon 11 Jul 2005, 16:00, archived)

On most routes in London you have to buy the ticket before you get on.
Exact money only, of course.
Until a couple of years ago it was 70p for a journey within or without Zone 1, 1 quid if you entered or left Zone 1. Then they had this big advertising campaign saying 'London is now a one-fare city!', as if they were making it easier for you. Except thet just made ALL journeys 1 quid.
And now it's a quid and 20p.

I think the lesson we can learn from this is that buses are shit.
( Mr. Tea 'ulmmm'/'mmneurgh', Mon 11 Jul 2005, 16:00, archived)

Buses in London are phenomenally shit
The tube is much more likely to get you killed quicker.

Actually I find walking is the best way to get anywhere less than 5 miles away in London.

There's always destitutes to laugh at on your way.
( Goatworrier had your mum and she was shit, Mon 11 Jul 2005, 16:03, archived)