Brisbane's 1200-strong fleet of buses is being sanitised nightly at a predicted cost of $1.5 million a month in a bid to allay public fears about coronavirus.

But lord mayor Adrian Schrinner wants safety measures taken further, saying he had contacted the state government to gain approval for bus and ferry drivers to accept Go Card fares only and no more cash.

Brisbane buses are being sanitised every night in a bid to reduce the spread of germs. Credit:Chris Hyde

"We think a commonsense outcome at this point of time would be to have Go Card fares only and no cash handling," he said.

Cr Schrinner acknowledged such a move would require bus and ferry operators to use discretion on handling cash, with some passengers unable to use a Go Card.