On Tue, 13 Mar 2012 08:36:13 +0000, Roland Perry
wrote:

In message
24330985.6209.1331612018997.JavaMail.geo-discussion-forums@vbgx21, at
21:13:38 on Mon, 12 Mar 2012, Offramp remarked:
I have traveled on railway systems all across Europe using smart
cards and none compare to the sheer complexity and complication
to the Oyster card in London.

And none that I have used yet allow the flexibility of not buying your
ticket up-front. Some would, but have a flat fare on and across all
modes that we'll never have here.

You just touch in and touch out.

If only it was that simple!

I think it is *almost* that simple, but in the few places where it is
easy to get caught out, better signage or barriers could be required.
The page on the TfL site that explains when, where and what to touch
is long enough to demonstrate the number of special cases, and has a
whole paragraph for Wimbledon.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14870.aspx

I had not seen any mention before of not using yellow validators you
encounter en-route.

Although if you are disinterested in what you've been charged, it's
possible to use it like that.

If you touch in and out correctly, as you know you can't pay more than
a one-day Travelcard. I don't see how it can be both flexible and
obvious what you're paying until you get to that amount. Maybe
machines dedicated to showing just these details, inside the paid
area?

I forgot to touch in on Saturday and paid for the privilege, but that
was entirely my fault. At least it wasn't the full £7.80, although
the (NR) barrier did the usual thing of opening the gate then showing
me a red light, a theoretical impossibility!

Richard.