The issue of uncollected change accruing to Dublin Bus is an operational matter for the company. An exact fare and no change system was introduced in response to a situation where a number of drivers were assaulted for cash. Under the company's arrangements, Dublin Bus offers customers a change receipt in lieu of change. It can be cashed at a later date and it has no expiry date. In other cities with an exact fare system no refund facility is offered.
Over the past five years the value of unreclaimed change tickets averaged €1.9 million per annum and is equivalent to less than 1% of turnover. All of the unclaimed amounts are reinvested by Dublin Bus for the purposes of: discounting prepaid fares by in excess of €6 million per annum; minimising price increases for the cash customer; and maintaining and developing service levels across the network.