A BUS company has made at least £45,000 from passengers by not giving change, the Adver can reveal.

Thamesdown Transport Ltd said it made £45,283 between February 2007 and last month - by insisting on the exact money.

And the company has admitted that it probably made even more over the previous financial year, through its exact fare policy.

Thamesdown Transport defended the practice saying it was introduced in August 2005 not to make money, but to save time and improve services.

It said the cash raised is ploughed back into the company's coffers.

But angry passengers were not impressed and one described the policy, as a complete con'.

"I think that should be illegal," said Jane Smith, an administrator from Moredon.

The 42-year-old said: "That is a lot of money.

"What makes it worse is that they are taking advantage of people who have no other option.

"It is a complete con and still makes me very annoyed as I take the bus about four-times a week.

"The least they could do is give it to charity.

"I know a few schools and hospitals that could use that money more than Thamesdown."

David Hudson, 50, an engineer from Old Town, said he thinks it is just another avenue for profit.

"They're holding you to ransom because you have no alternative if you are going to use the bus," he said.

"I don't think the money should go to charity at all. The customer should be given their change.

"It goes against the rules of business.

"You go into a shop, you give your money and they give you your change.

"They don't point to a sign and say sorry no change'.

"It's funny that they accept more money, but won't accept 50p less."

Paul Jenkins, managing director of Thamesdown, says the policy not only saves time, but also money, by helping to keep fares down.

"All money made from this policy is ploughed back into the company to keep fare prices down," he said.

"But the primary reason for doing it is that it is one of the elements that helps buses save time.

"Each journey is slightly quicker because of the exact fares and at the end of the day people want a reliable service that will arrive on time.

"It is not unreasonable to ask people to have £1 or £1.50 in their pockets.

"We do everything we can within the limits to explain to people how to avoid paying more money.

"And we have received very few complaints about this policy."