- This topic has 3 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 1 hour, 34 minutes ago by
.
-
Posts
-
In the Oyster system, a single-zone outer London journey is only allowed 70 minutes, which seems inadequate for orbital journeys which travel long distance within a single zone.
For example, a journey from Tattenham Corner to Caterham, which is wholly within Zone 6 involving super-slow trains, is only allowed 70 minutes during weekdays, where according to the timetable, it is impossible to complete this journey in less than 69 minutes unless you miraclously make a 0-minute connection at Purley.
TfL says that “Maximum journey times are set generously and will only be exceeded under exceptional circumstances.”, but exceeding 70 minutes on a journey which is scheduled to take 69 minutes, without any faster way to complete it, isn’t an exceptional circumstance.
What will happen if I travel on this route and takes more than 70 minutes for this journey?
I think Caterham to Tattenham Corner is probably the longest single zone journey outside of zones 1-2. I’m not sure how many people actually want to do it. When I last checked this many years ago it was posssible within about an hour, but timetables have probably changed since then.
TfL do increase the time allowed for certain journeys where it isn’t possible to complete it in the standard time allowed. If they get reports of problems then they will likely look at increasing the time allowed, which is why I’m not convinced that many people actually make the journey, if any.
If you do make the journey and it takes longer than 70 minutes then you’ll be charged two incomplete journeys. When you call the helpdesk they will refund all but the single zone charge, and it may kickstart a review.
Speaking of Tattenham Corner and MJTs Mike, some YouTubers recently used Oyster to make a 2h45m journey from Chesham to Tattenham Corner on a weekday (0430-1900).
As per the MJT tables on your site it’s a 14-zone journey for which the limit is 3h20m, however the TfL guidance (which the YouTubers referred to) classes it as an 11-zone limit of 2h50m and basically says you get no extra time for any travel beyond Zone 6. What’s up with that?
(N.B. I’m guessing you obtained the extended tables through a FoI request)
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.