Covid 19 and Cashless Society

[Stayingup]

I notice that many more businesses, including transport like the X43 are now requesting contactless payment. It seems obviousl that Covid 19 has accelerated us towards a cashless society. I am in favour generally but not completely Some will suffer. The unfortunate rough sleepers who ask for money, school kids, unless they get Cards and thats likely. Not forgetting the lady who sells the Big Issue. Who else could suffer and will it lead to more criminal activity?

Apologies if this topic has been discussed on the Covid thread.

[claptrappers_union]

Some homeless people have machines so you can tap your phone or card to make small payments.

What worries me is in the future, the powers-that-be could control the population by freezing bank accounts. With no cash, what is the alternative to trading?

Though it is easier.

My prediction for the future is simply walking into supermarkets, collecting your groceries and walking back out without the need for checking out. It’s all done via facial recognition and the like.

[Stayingup]

Some homeless people have machines so you can tap your phone or card to make small payments.

What worries me is in the future, the powers-that-be could control the population by freezing bank accounts. With no cash, what is the alternative to trading?

Though it is easier.

My prediction for the future is simply walking into supermarkets, collecting your groceries and walking back out without the need for checking out. It’s all done via facial recognition and the like.

One thing for sure the times they are a (rapidly) changing.

[claret2018]

I'm almost entirely cashless anyway - I think the only time I use it is parking at Gisburn forest, or the few pubs that don't take card.

[Stayingup]

A shift not just in how people pay but personal financial management. Virtual money (eg. Bitcoin)
and what are called digital wallets. I have read that Governments will be looking at pursuing Central Bank Digital Currencies The Swedish government is testing an e- krona now.

[Hipper]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53068282

[martin_p]

It’s not going to happen while banks still charge businesses for small card transactions . I wasn’t aware of this until I went to a small local card shop to buy a Father’s Day card. The card was about £2.50 and as I have for the past three months I got my phone out to pay contactless. The shop owner asked me to pay by cash as the bank charges her 35p for any card transaction under £5. I didn’t have any cash on me and she let me pay by card, but if the banks are going to continue to do this then cash payments will remain.

[IanMcL]

How will folk sniff cocaine?

[dougcollins]

Having a good night out on a contactless card is a surefire way to bankruptcy.

Not that any of us are managing any kind of night out.

[ClaretTony]

including transport like the X43 are now requesting contactless payment

Does this mean they are no longer taking cash?

Until recently, i.e. before the lockdown, you could only pay cash on the X43 and I've seen people turned away at Burnley bus station on a number of occasions when trying to pay contactless. I knew they'd finally installed contactless, which was on the way in any case, but have they now stopped taking cash payments.

I've not been on a bus now for over three months but being of an age I don't pay although I suspect that might change soon.

[Sean Dyche's Watch]

Does this mean they are no longer taking cash?

Until recently, i.e. before the lockdown, you could only pay cash on the X43 and I've seen people turned away at Burnley bus station on a number of occasions when trying to pay contactless. I knew they'd finally installed contactless, which was on the way in any case, but have they now stopped taking cash payments.

I've not been on a bus now for over three months but being of an age I don't pay although I suspect that might change soon.

We do still accept cash on all our buses, but would prefer you used a mobile ticket or contactless if you can.

https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/witchway/ ... #Different payment and ticket options

[ClaretTony]

We do still accept cash on all our buses, but would prefer you used a mobile ticket or contactless if you can.

https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/witchway/ ... #Different payment and ticket options

That makes sense