This particular lady was trying to get on at Aldwych. Now there is nearly always a queue to get on a bus here but this lady thought she could get on, stand near the driver and look for her card in her bag, while all the time still talking on her phone. She eventually found her card, tapped in and started to walk away, completely oblivious to the fact that it hadn't been accepted. The bus driver knew though and called her back. Cue more rummaging around in her bag for her purse, but now she's completely blocking the machine while still jabbering away. I'm afraid at this point I did lose my temper - I was trying to get on myself - and told her to get off the phone and deal with the situation!
It eventually transpired, after she had passed the phone to her friend, that she didn't have a contactless payment card either. Well she does but it's back in Australia. Can she use her friend's card? What do you mean no? OK then, can I give you this cash and you give me a pass? Sorry, we can't take cash. So can you help me out - can I get on the bus anyway? I'm sorry, it's not allowed. Well yore not being very helpful are you?
Eventually after holding everyone up she got off. But how dare the driver not accept her cash or allow her to travel for free!
And as she wasn't issued with an emergency ticket she clearly knew she didn't have any money on her Oyster!
