In message of Sun, 2 Dec
2012 09:13:22 in uk.transport.london, Paul Corfield
writes

[snip]

The London system is being upgraded, by a DfT funded project, so that
all Oyster readers can read ITSO spec cards. Therefore concessionary
passes issued elsewhere in England will be read by London bus readers.
NOTE that this does NOT mean that bus concessionary passes will work
on the tube, rail or DLR - they won't as they are not valid.

I think it does mean that such additional validity could be simple to
implement, given the political will.

This London Council Tax payer and Freedom Pass holder would like to see
symmetrical validity. Let Northumberland seniors travel free by London
Tube and let me travel free on buses and Glasgow Subway in Scotland.

OTOH, we don't even have symmetrical validity in London. I can go to
Dartford with a Freedom Pass, but not with Oyster PAYG. I saw many
Oyster customers tripped and trapped at that gateline, when I went there
one afternoon. Even worse, was finding someone had gone between Waterloo
and Hersham with PAYG and risked a criminal record. Travel beyond
Surbiton is not covered.] I was astounded that the Oyster Customer
Service Centre cancelled the incomplete journey charges.
--
Walter Briscoe