Three new out-of-station-interchanges (OSIs) have been introduced this month.
The first two are to solve a problem at both Stevenage and Welwyn Garden City where some passengers may want to change trains but have to exit through a gateline and enter another one to do so. The OSI at Stevenage is between platforms 1-4 and platform 5 (where trains from Hertford North terminate). This one allows upto 20 minutes between touch out and touch in. At Welwyn Garden City the OSI is between platforms 1/2 and platforms 3/4. It’s main use is for southbound passengers changing from a semi-fast service onto a stopping service. The time allowed is 15 minutes.
Explaining the choice of time limits, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) said that they wanted to cater for people who might have to wait a while for their train and prefer to use the concourse (coffee shop, etc). It’s a balancing act between allowing a longer wait between trains and potentially joining outward and return journeys together in error if the visit to the town was short. They will be monitoring usage and may adjust the times if necessary.
The third OSI has been introduced between Southend Central and Southend Victoria. Fares between Greater Anglia stations and c2c stations already exist and are generally a little cheaper than the two legs bought separately. The OSI ensures that PAYG users also benefit from the same fares. The map for this OSI is on the page listing all of them, and the allowed time is 30 minutes.
Finally, GTR have confirmed that they are considering OSIs between Hertford East and North and between St Albans Abbey and City. There will need to be some work deciding which flows to allow, but they are on the roadmap for the future.
Updated: Time for Southend OSI is 30 minutes.