Recently had a trip to Edinburgh for a few days. Was very impressed by the tram, we arrived at the airport on our flight from LCY and the tram was really close to the terminal. There was even a novelty ticket/information office in the shape of a fake tram. We was able to purchase tickets in there and get help from the friendly ticket assistant.
It was so quick and easy, the tram was nice and modern and very clean and comfortable. It was good value too with the open return ticket to the city, and our hotel was only a couple of minutes from the tram stop.
The buses however were a nightmare. On our last day we were taking a bus to the Royal Yacht terminal. We located the bus stop and waited for it, and got on board and I asked for two tickets to the Yacht terminal (the last stop), but the driver wouldn't accept my £5 note. It was a bit hard to understand at first due to the security screen and his thick accent. But eventually I grasped that they don't take bank notes and needed exact change !
I asked if I could pay with a credit/debit contactless card instead, this was refused as well.
So we had to leave the bus (having waited 10 minutes for it). There was no notice on the bus stop that you need exact change, and even so, as a tourist how would we know what fare to have? There was no fare information on the bus stop either.
We went into John Lewis, the nearest shop to the stop and asked them if they would be kind enough to give us change. The attendant went and got a supervisor who came and told us no, sorry, they can not- I pleaded the case and explained about the bus and we had been ordered off once, but to no avail. Eventually a really nice old lady who overheard our situation made change for us so we could get on the bus.
Surely this should not be allowed? If they do not take cash bank notes, they should take credit/debit cards surely?
Its such a shame as everything else about the city we both loved. This would really confuse overseas visitors I would imagine and even put them off visiting the yacht.
It was so quick and easy, the tram was nice and modern and very clean and comfortable. It was good value too with the open return ticket to the city, and our hotel was only a couple of minutes from the tram stop.
The buses however were a nightmare. On our last day we were taking a bus to the Royal Yacht terminal. We located the bus stop and waited for it, and got on board and I asked for two tickets to the Yacht terminal (the last stop), but the driver wouldn't accept my £5 note. It was a bit hard to understand at first due to the security screen and his thick accent. But eventually I grasped that they don't take bank notes and needed exact change !
I asked if I could pay with a credit/debit contactless card instead, this was refused as well.
So we had to leave the bus (having waited 10 minutes for it). There was no notice on the bus stop that you need exact change, and even so, as a tourist how would we know what fare to have? There was no fare information on the bus stop either.
We went into John Lewis, the nearest shop to the stop and asked them if they would be kind enough to give us change. The attendant went and got a supervisor who came and told us no, sorry, they can not- I pleaded the case and explained about the bus and we had been ordered off once, but to no avail. Eventually a really nice old lady who overheard our situation made change for us so we could get on the bus.
Surely this should not be allowed? If they do not take cash bank notes, they should take credit/debit cards surely?
Its such a shame as everything else about the city we both loved. This would really confuse overseas visitors I would imagine and even put them off visiting the yacht.