In message , Graham J
writes
I actually asked about broken readers on buses on "Ask Oyster" in June
last year. The response was...

"In response to your query, in the situation that the Oyster reader is
not working, generally the bus driver will wave you on.
"Generally" seems a bit vague, doesn't it?

In that situation they should log that their reader is faulty, so if a
Revenue Inspector gets on they will understand the situation. Revenue
Inspectors also carry hand held Oyster readers so if they do scan your
Oyster card and see that it is Pre Pay they will be able to deduct the
appropriate fare from your card.

"If you are in a situation where the driver does make you pay,
But they don't define what circumstances create such a "situation".

unfortunately you will be required to pay the cash fare in order to
travel. If you do encounter this situation and have to pay the £1, we
can refund the thirty pence to you if you fill in a Refund of Fares
form and send us the proof of payment."

That seems very woolly, doesn't it? Leaving it up to the individual
driver to decide.
--
Ian Jelf, MITG
Birmingham, UK

Registered Blue Badge Tourist Guide for London and the Heart of England
http://www.bluebadge.demon.co.uk