I made a return trip to Gatwick yesterday to see my son off on a plane. Obviously I didn’t want to line GTR’s pockets (or the DfT) more than I had to so I touched out and back in at East Croydon each way while changing trains. On the way back I noticed a poster advertising Oyster/contactless at Gatwick.
So, comment below if you can spot the glaring errors. There are at least two to find.
Hint: Click the image to enlarge it.
How about… a peak single to London Terminals Z1 on Southern of £14.00, not £14.50?
and.. arrive after 0950 for off peak should be touch in after 0930?
Hi Paul,
Yes, that’s two of them. There is still at least one more error.
Regarding ‘Cheaper fares may be available using paper tickets: On daily compared to £14.00 to London Victoria the paper alternatives as shown on Southernrailway.com are £15.40(Southern) and £15.50(Thameslink). Off peak fare (although only commencing from 11:56 and ending at 17:38) is £12.00. The weekend fares are the same peak and off peak but the £12.00 fare only operates from (07:53 to 10:03).
Hi,
Single fares are generally cheaper on Oyster/contactless. When you make return journeys you can often save with paper.
Hi Mike,
The other error = the minimum Oyster PAYG balance of £14.50 is wrong – as per Tfl’s website…
If using an Oyster card:
Adults must have at least £14.00 (peak) or £8.00 (off-peak) on their card to start a journey; and…
If you have a National Railcard or Gold Card discount set on your Oyster card, you must have at least £13.90 (peak) or £5.30 (off-peak) on your card to start a journey
Typical of the mis-information when it comes to Tfl fares
Hi Pat,
Yes, that’s the other error. Diabolically sloppy poster creation from someone who obviously doesn’t have a clue.
So if you tap on the reader at the start and the end of the journey, how does it know if you took Southern/Thameslink or Gatwick Express?
Quite crudely. If your touch at Victoria is on platforms 13/14 then it charges Gatwick Express fares. If an ordinary Southern train uses platforms 13/14 then you should be allowed through a side gate to touch elsewhere. If a Gatwick Express uses a platform other than 13/14 then you get a cheap ride.
At East Cryodon, can you touch in/out on the platform or do you need to exit and reexit the station?
Hi Ian,
There are no platform validators at East Croydon. You need to go up the ramp at the country end of the platforms and exit through the barriers into the concourse.