"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?

Indeed.

"If you are in a situation where the driver does make you pay,

But they don't define what circumstances create such a "situation".

Quite.

That seems very woolly, doesn't it? Leaving it up to the individual
driver to decide.

I inferred that the drivers are supposed to wave you on but that some are
less well acquainted with procedures than others. It might not have been
the intended implication though.

What does seem clear from the response is that the drivers are perfectly
entitled to wave you on to the bus if the reader is faulty and there can be
no comeback against you from revenue inspectors except to charge you the
normal fare for your journey.

G.