In article ,
(Dave Arquati) wrote:

Colin Rosenstiel wrote:

In article ,
(Kevingr) wrote:

(Colin Rosenstiel) wrote in message
...

I normally travel to work in Westminster from Cambridge on one-day
Travelcards or day returns to King's Cross with bike. No interest in
oystercards there obviously.

However, from time to time I stay overnight at my parents' in Putney
and travel on a Network Awaybreak from Cambridge to either King's
Cross (with bike) or Underground Zones 1/2. In the latter case I
need to buy single tube tickets on top (mainly in the morning from
Putney when my Network Card isn't yet valid).

Can I use a fairly small amount of stored value on an oystercard for
these occasional journeys? I've never bought a carnet for Zone 1
trips because they are only valid for a year and I don't make 10
trips in that time.

Oyster Prepay would appear to meet your requirements. A £3 deposit is
required. It's not yet available for bus or Tramlink. No photocard
necessary if bought at a Tube station. All that info is quoted
direct from the Web site ...

http://www.oystercard.com/

Thanks, that appears to meet my requirements. Is there really no
minimum amount stored if bought at a tube station? Or is that because
a tube station is then the only place where additional credits (below
the £10 online minimum) can be made?

You can't put on less than £5 at a ticket machine (or that might just
be for debit cards, because I never top up with cash). I'm afriad I
don't know about the ticket office, because at Gloucester Road there's
always a huge queue of tourists so I avoid the office when I can.

Sounds complicated. I'll ask when I'm next at an Underground ticket
office.

--
Colin Rosenstiel