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Hi Mike,
This is just a minor irritation but it has happened a few times now, so if there is a way to avoid it I would appreciate knowing.
I wandered into Wimbledon Station this evening and only when I reached the platform did I realise that my next service was cancelled (my fault, given the reliability of Thameslink!), so I left the station to await the next service (30 minutes). I can’t recall exactly the interval between tap in and out but round about 5 minutes.
I went for a walk and returned about 15-20 minutes later (can’t be more precise than that) but received a red light when trying to re-enter. After managing to attract the attention of a gate attendant I was granted entry without quibble.
Now I know that blocking repeated use of a card is a security feature to prevent pass-back, but I would hope that maybe there is a time-out after which I could return without triggering the system. Is there one?
Cheers
SteveHi Steve,
I would have thought that a timeout for that would be cleared after about 5-10 minutes. It would be helpful to know what the error code was on the gate. Do you have TfL Go? Can you see what that is saying about times?
Hi Mike,
I didn’t think to check for an error code, sorry, as I immediately moved away from the gate to let others through and sought out an attendant. Perhaps worth mentioning that my card is a 60+ Oyster so maybe the time-out is longer because of its high value? Anyway I just checked my impromptu walk on Google Maps and it was 1.2km so it should have been over 10 minutes but perhaps not as long as I initially estimated. Not got Tfl Go installed, but I will do so and update you.
Steve
Ok, so a 60+ means you won’t be overcharged. I’d be inclined to write to SWR, who run Wimbledon, and ask them why you are having problems. It almost certainly is some sort of timeout. My concern would be whether invalid taps might pose problems for people with chargeable cards.
If it happens again, please do note the error code.
Hi Mike,
It’s been quite a while but a cancellation gave me the opportunity to try out the re-entry interval scenario again.
This time I left over 20 minutes between tapping out at Wimbledon and tapping back in, but the tap-in was still rejected (code 41).I have now raised the issue with SWR suggesting that they might wish to reduce the rejection interval, and I pointed out the additional problems that those using PAYG would face. I expect a reply within 2 weeks and will update here.
OK, so 41 is a passback error. This really shouldn’t be happening. Have you noticed problems at any other stations?
Wimbledon is really the only station that this sort of scenario might happen to me due to the 30 minute interval between Thameslink trains. I’d rather leave the station to take a walk and return later than pace the platform for 30 minutes!
Received a response from Tfl – not encouraging I’m afraid:
Thank you for your email of 24 October about your 60+ London Oyster photocard issue on 23 October.
I am sorry for the error code showed when you tried to re enter the station at Wombledon
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Transport for London (TfL) has an in-built system that prevents fraudulent use of payment cards. The 41 code indicates that your travel pattern was flagged as suspicious, even if it was a genuine mistake. For example, it might occur if you:
• Tap in, change your mind about travelling, tap out, but then decide to go through the gates again.
• Tap in, discover you’re on the wrong platform, tap out, and then tap in on the correct side.
• Experience an error or faulty gate, causing you to tap multiple times
I have taken your feedback on board but at this moment on time, we are unable to amend the system settings, I do apologise.“Wombledon” was quite an amusing typo though!
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