Dear Richard,
[Double sigh]
The Rail Ombudsman relies on advice from the train companies, and has obviously spoken to the wrong person at GA. My contact at TfL says that the web page they are relying on will be amended and expects it to go live next week after getting approval. They admit that what is there now is confusing. If it was me, my next move would be to reply with the following bullet points:
- The map at https://content.tfl.gov.uk/60-plus-london-free-travel-national-rail-map.pdf clearly states that travel is valid on National Rail routes operated by Greater Anglia within zones 1-6. That map is linked from the page they are quoting, before the confusing extra bit.
- The Oyster 60+ card is an off-peak travelcard and thus can be used to the boundary of zone 6 along with an appropriate extension ticket without the train needing to stop at the boundary, as per NRCOT 14.3, as long as the travel within zones 1-6 is not before 0930.
- The page they are quoting will be amended at some point next week to remove the confusion
- Request a letter from the MD of GA apologising for the lengthy saga and confirming that what you have asserted all along is in fact the truth.
Good luck.