An Essex bus company has implemented a ban on customers using Monzo and Revolut to pay for fares with smartphones. They’ve also reduced the contactless payment limit to just £10 following a surge in debit and credit fraud on their network.
Ensignbus, which operates routes through Southend, Grays, and Tilbury, reported losses of £10,000 due to contactless ‘non-payments’ over the past three months. The reduced contactless limit now affects all users attempting to pay via iPhones and Android devices, while transactions from Monzo, Revolut, and ABN Amro apps are blocked at ticket machines.
A spokesperson for Ensignbus stated: “As part of ongoing issues related to contactless fraud and non-payment, several banks have been blocked on our ticket machines. The most common ones that may impact you are Revolut, ABN Amro, and Monzo. If you use any of these, please use an alternative bank card or cash.”
Passengers are advised to make multiple contactless payment transactions for tickets that exceed the £10 limit. For season ticket purchases, the transit scheme has eliminated contactless payments entirely, transitioning to a cash-only system.