Transport chiefs have been urged to make sure a new payment system does not penalise poorer bus passengers.

Under the wave and pay system, set to be introduced on buses by Transport for London (TfL) next spring, passengers across London will be able to use bank cards fitted with contactless technology as an alternative to Oyster cards.

Cash for trips will be taken directly from the passenger's bank account.

But the London Assembly's cross-party transport committee has asked TfL bosses to make sure the one-in-five people who do not have a credit or debit card, who will not be able to use the new system, do not miss out on cheaper fares.

A TfL spokesman said the bank card system was an "additional option" for passengers that will "enable every passenger the benefit of the cheapest fares, and swift, convenient travel".