In places where exact change is needed for bus fare (if such places exist anymore...I drive a car in a small town), a homeless person could sit at a bus stop with a bowl of change. Bus riders lacking the proper coinage could exchange their paper money for the proper fare, with the understanding that the addressless entrepreneur would keep a small cut for himself. You could even tip him, if he provides good service by being courteous, not giving you dirty/sticky coins of dubious provenance, and exhibiting rudimentary grooming skills.

People might be more inclined to give him money, as they perceive he is providing a service, and he might find a slightly increased sense of dignity for doing so.
-- Guncrazy, Jan 22 2002

er, in the name of helping people to help themselves..... here's a croissant. But don`t sniff the changer. Better still, campain for better starting floats on buses or a quicker credit card system.
-- andrewuk, Jan 22 2002


All that idle time in between the buses--and such a pretty pile of money right here in this bowl, right now...
-- entremanure, Jan 23 2002


The vagaries (and vagrants) of life in the big city are against you on this idea, guncrazy.
-- jurist, Jan 23 2002



random, halfbakery