- This topic has 5 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 1 day, 11 hours ago by
.
-
Posts
-
Is Epsom still in Zone 9, or has it been snuck out?
Looking at the ‘Epsom Rail Station’ TfL webpage, it doesn’t obviously say that it is (that for Cuffley does), while the currently available Rail and Tube map shows both as ‘Outside Fare Zones’.
Well, that’s an interesting development. I would imagine Cuffley will go the same way at some point, although more people probably use Epsom than Cuffley.
Both stations are part of a growing list of places where there are different caps applied when using contactless compared to Oyster. If you use an Oyster card to these places then you will be capped at the Oyster zonal rate (not always zone 9) because that’s all Oyster can do. The adult fares get put through the back office later, but I’m assured that it won’t retrospectively increase the charge. However, when using contactless you will be subject to the contactless caps (which aren’t always more expensive).
This is a consequence of the political desire to expand Oyster to places where the cap structure did not match the travelcard prices already in place. When they finally get round to allowing discounts on contactless PAYG I fully expect Oyster to be discontinued at those places.
I think I need to look at documenting the arrangemnets at these dual-capped stations shortly.
So – what is perhaps my underlying question – is a Travelcard including Zone 9 valid for travel to Epsom? If not, as it used to be valid, when did it cease to be, and how was this announced/publicised?
It’s a good question. I will put it to my contact at GTR after the bank holiday.
When Epsom first got added to Oyster I was assured by GTR that zone 1-9 travelcards would be valid there. They don’t work the gates, but staff have definitely let people through manually. The contactless caps changed when PAYG was extended to Dorking last year. I’ll answer properly when I hear back.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.