On Sunday, 24 December 2017 01:13:49 UTC, Charles Ellson wrote:
On Sun, 24 Dec 2017 00:54:47 -0000 (UTC), Recliner
wrote:

Charles Ellson wrote:
On Thu, 21 Dec 2017 07:23:09 +0000 (GMT+00:00), tolly57
wrote:

PhilD Wrote in message:
On Wednesday, 20 December 2017 11:51:07 UTC, Basil Jet wrote:
Boundary of TfL ownership? I presume Taplow will be it.

*Ownership* boundary will be near Royal Oak. Station responsibility
will be Taplow (Slough stays with GWR).



Zone 6 is currently West Drayton for Oyster and Freedom Pass
holders, I assume an extension ticket will be required for onward
travel to Reading then?

Freedom Pass/60+ Oyster holders only need a valid ticket of some type
for the extended journey as no touch in/out or stopping of the train
is required at the boundary station. PAYG Oyster needs a touch in/out
at both ends of the journey within the Oyster zones to prevent a
maximum fare being created.

True, but I don't think we know yet how far west the Freedom Pass will run
when the Elizabeth line opens: West Drayton, Taplow, or somewhere in
between? And what zone(s) will the new stations be in for Oyster?

Based on the current arrangements for FP/60+, "how far" is probably as
far as the GLA regards as reasonable (see also Swanley and Dartford)
to support GL residents going off-patch. West Drayton is the last bit
of the GL conurbation, Iver is in comparative countryside so Langley
or Slough would seem to be natural choices while anything west of
Slough is arguably a trip into the countryside beyond. For paid Oyster
it might be whatever the system can support, maybe in conjunction with
sorting the anomoly which is going to result if/when Watford (Met)
services (zone 7) are diverted to Watford Junction (zone 9 and a bit).

Not really a decision for the GLA. It's for London Councils to determine as they co-ordinate the Borough's funding for concessionary travel. Until TfL determine the fare levels that will apply and some sort of demand forecast then the "revenue foregone" can't be calculated. Only then can London Councils determine if the cost can or should be funded. The 60+ Pass is funded by TfL but its availability follows what is set for the Freedom Pass. The fact the FP reaches Dartford and Watford is largely an accident of history. Crossrail is rather different (IMO) and the potential revenue impact (given how high fares are to Reading) greater plus there are issues of perceived fairness - why should London residents gain free travel so far to the west but Berkshire residents get nothing?

The other factor with the 60+ Pass is the growing number of people who are entitled to it and the spiralling cost to TfL. There are huge pressures on TfL's budget to 2020 and beyond so there may be good reason not to expand its coverage and all the attendant cost.

Not sure I understand the earlier comments about "TfL empire building". The transfer of stations between TOCs has been happening since franchising starting. The transfer of some, but not all, stations for stopping services in West London just reflects what has been agreed with the DfT as to what Crossrail will operate. It is noteworthy that the stations that have national rail fare setting rules (Slough, Reading) remain with GWR so they're in charge of pricing for the route. Again no doubt a DfT demand as with other transfers to TfL - Shenfield didn't transfer nor did Cheshunt. In similar vein Dartford remains with South Eastern despite Oyster ticketing eventually being extended there. The stations remaining with GWR also reflect the existence of other rail services (branches) or longer distance trains stopping.

I think all the "mood music" has been that Oyster PAYG / contactless will reach Reading but don't expect any clever "zones" or stuff like that. With the restructured Oyster system each station should be capable of being individually priced rather than grouped as has happened in the past. We may also see some past pricing compromises being removed once the new system is fully operational. I also wonder quite what will happen with daily / 7 day capping and maximum fares given the high fares that apply beyond the normal T/Card boundary. We may see the first signs of fare adjustments in May 2018 when the Heathrow service starts and Oyster / CPC is extended there.

--
Paul C
via Google