Tony Bryer wrote:
In article , Dave Arquati wrote:

Prepay will work on National Rail services in the future, but not
just yet.


Thanks for the replies: it does seem surprising that they have not
already worked it in given that there must already be a revenue sharing
agreement to cover paper Travelcards bought from shops, underground
stations and rail stations.

The main reason Prepay hasn't already been rolled out to the National
Rail network in London is because most TOCs are unwilling to foot the
bill for installing Oyster readers at their stations.

I believe that Silverlink is an exception and is already working with
TfL to introduce readers at their stations. Tube paper tickets are now
valid on Silverlink's West and North London Line services (WLL only from
Willesden Jn - West Brompton), so once Oyster readers are installed,
prepay can be rolled out almost straight away to those lines.

As for the other TOCs, the DfT's Railways Bill 2005 mentions more
control of ticketing for the Mayor; this could mean that TOCs will be
forced into some agreement over Oyster (or perhaps the DfT will help
fund the installation jointly with TfL).

An introduction of Prepay across National Rail should take place within
two years, but obviously there's no guarantee.

--
Dave Arquati
Imperial College, SW7
www.alwaystouchout.com - Transport projects in London