tim... wrote:
I went on the local "walk for health" this morning (which I'm sure you can
imagine is frequented by mostly old/infirm folk)

we met at the bus stop by a railway station.

Much to my surprise, the first leg of the walk was to take the train one
stop

I was the only one of the group who bothered to tap in and out for this ride

so who's right, me or them?

With the Freedom Pass, the cost of rail tickets is met by London Councils
(not central government). The total annual budget is fixed, but it's
charged to the councils in proportion to the number of journeys made by
their residents. So you were right, and as a result of your correct
behaviour, your council will pay a slightly larger part of this year's
Freedom Pass budget. I'm not sure if the rail company will also get paid
slightly more.