This also probably applies to the other stations between Reading and Iver, plus the branches for Henley, Marlow and Windsor as well.
First the bad news. The off-peak cap from Reading when using PAYG appears to have risen by £1 to £35.40 from September 7th. We know that GWR increased the prices of off-peak day travelcards at that time, so this isn’t a surprise. However, the fact that both the TfL website and National Rail Enquiries still say that the cap is £34.40 is very very poor. How are people supposed to make decisions about travel if they can’t get accurate fare information? This site will still show the incorrect caps too, until I get a complete list of changes, which I’m asking for on multiple fronts.
However, there is some good news. The hidden (although it really shouldn’t be) off-peak extension fare from Reading to boundary of zone 2 is set at £11.85. This means that if you travel to London after 09:30 and then stick within zones 1-2, which most people will do, you will only be charged £32.60. This is the zone 1-2 cap of £8.90 plus two extensions of £11.85.
Speaking of extension fares, earlier today TfL refused a FoI request to publish the full list of PAYG extension fares on the basis it would require more than 18 hours / £450 to fulfil it. Make of that what you will.
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/list_of_payg_extension_fares#incoming-3162949
That’s a disappointment. I’d just followed that request. Are you going to trigger an internal review?
Not my request, so I wouldn’t be able to. The requester has sent a follow up asking for either the full list as is in whatever format TfL already have, or just adult-rate extension fares to/from stations outside Z1-9.
TfL’s response to the follow-up was another section 12 refusal, though they also say the following:
“The information is not held in a centrally reportable format and so extracting and collating the information requested would still require a significant volume of work. As you’ll know, many of these fares are set in collaboration with the relevant Train Operating Companies and we are currently looking into ways that we can better display this information for all, with discussions planned to occur in the coming weeks to facilitate this. We therefore hope to be in a position to provide a more positive outcome by the end of this year.”
Hi Mike,
I live near East Acton but have just accepted a job in Reading, would the cheapest way of commuting be tapping in at East Acton before 6:30 and tapping out at Reading? And then would it be off peak if I tapped in at Reading at 17:30 on my way home if my journey ends in zone 2 (East Acton)?
Also can I take peak time trains from Paddington if I used contactless to tap in before 6:30 at East Acton, going to Lancaster Gate, walking to Paddington and tapping into the GWR train as it is a continuous journey?
Thanks!
Yes to both questions. Interestingly, the only fare defined for East Acton to Reading is via Ealing Broadway, but as long as you adhere to the interchange times (LG-PAD 40min, PAD-LG 20min) then you should get the fare anyway.