Stagecoach South bus company will only accept exact cash payments to prevent spread of coronavirus

The company has also confirmed that rather than giving change for excess payments any additional money will be donated to NHS charities.

As lockdown begins to ease and more people venture back onto public transport the policy has been brought in to prevent the spread of coronavirus through the cross-handling of money.

A statement on the Stagecoach website said: ‘Our priority is to protect the safety of our customers and our own employees.

‘From Friday 22nd May we will only be accepting exact fares. From this date, we will be unable to give you change and we will be donating any leftover change, where customers have paid more than the exact fare, to the NHS Covid-19 appeal, a charity supporting NHS staff and volunteers.’

Customers are still encouraged to where possible avoid cash payments all together by purchasing tickets using contactless transactions and using the Stagecoach app.

The policy on cash payments is currently expected to run until July 31.

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