I have found out more about the automatic refunds for people regularly travelling after 0930 (or any time at weekends) from zones 4-6. The good news is that the first refunds should be available today. Here is my understanding of how the system works.
General News
Contactless charging less than Oyster
I’ve recently had several queries where people were charged less than they expected using a CPC, or even less than they were charged making the same journeys with Oyster at a different time. The reason is the different way that capping is calculated when using CPCs. There’s a new page which tries to explain the … Read more
Oyster at LM ticket offices
It’s been brought to my attention that London Midland are to cease allowing Oyster transactions at their ticket offices at both Euston and Watford Junction from April this year. This is yet another kick in the teeth by TOCs following similar actions by Southeastern and South West Trains in recent years.
U-turn on Off-Peak Caps
There has been considerable unrest over the abolition of the cheaper adult off-peak cap, particularly in zones 4-6 where the increases are quite significant. Of course this was part of the package which made commuting 2-3 times a week at peak times a lot cheaper, but it disadvantaged a number of people who work part-time or shifts and travel at off-peak times.
So, from April the off-peak caps of £8.00 (zone 4) and £8.80 (zones 5-6) will be re-introduced for people travelling 2 or more times a week, or 8 or more times in 4 weeks. Refunds will be back-dated to January and then processed every month.
Bus cap discounted by railcards
An eagle eyed site visitor (thanks Thomas) has noticed that the bus/tram cap can be discounted by adding a railcard to your Oyster. The reason is that the discounted zone 1-2 off-peak cap (£4.25) is now less than the bus cap (£4.40). Unless you have a disabled railcard, this only applies if all the bus … Read more
Cheaper fares to zone 1 in PM peak
One of the changes introduced this month concerns journeys starting outside zone 1 and ending in zone 1 during the afternoon peak. Where TfL set the fare it has been off-peak for a couple of years now, but from this month it is extended to all rail journeys. Unlike TfL fares, with the NR set … Read more
Fares changes for 2015
The new fares take effect today and thus many of the pages on this site need updating. I have made some changes already and will be expanding others when I am sure of the detail. I will not be amending any comments or replies prior to 2015.
Single fare finder issues
Something seems to have gone wrong with the switching between 2014 and 2015 fares this morning. Both results pages display fares for 2014. Hopefully it’s just a minor glitch.
Disabled Railcard Discount
As announced in the TfL fares changes decision, from Jan 2nd next year holders of the NR Disabled Railcard will be entitled to discounts at any time when using PAYG on Oyster. This will require a new discount code to be added to the Oyster. ATOC are supposed to be writing to all holders of … Read more
Epsom – Off-peak travelcard loophole
Now that the National Rail booking systems have the 2015 fares loaded it appears that there is a good way to undercut the price of a paper zone 1-6 travelcard. As we know, off-peak in boundary travelcards are being withdrawn from Jan 2nd, but out boundary ones will still exist. Epsom has long been one … Read more