On Sat, 13 May 2006 15:26:53 -0500, "Tristán White"
wrote:

"TKD" wrote in news:1147497659.88957.0
:

On the Thameslink route it is valid as far as Kentish Town and also at
Elephant & Castle.

Well this is shocking news.

Hardly.

I asked - having already capped my PAYG - and was told that I couldn't
use it. I was going to from London Bridge to Farringdon and there were
problems on the Northern Line. I was made to pay the fare, which really
****ed me off. Had a doctor's appointment so couldn't really mess around
on other tube lines, and I saw that the train was arriving shortly.

Is every one of your journeys by public transport surrounded by crisis?

I've lost the ticket now so can't get a refund - didn't know I could. I
wonder how much money is being made on the sly here... I mean, it sounds
very strange that in spite of this being a common problem, the gateline
staff are convinced (or pretend to be convinced) that PAYG is not valid.
I mean, they must have been told that the station they work at can take
PAYG. I don't buy it.

The staff have probably never been told. I doubt many of them have had
anything resembling intensive training on ticketing and validities.
Doesn't make it right but it's probably the reality.

Do these people get commission for issuing penalty fares like the
Lambeth traffic wardens do? There must be a reason for the gate staff
continuing to try and get more money off people when they have already a
valid PAYG capped travelcard used up on their card.

It would be a very poor scam given that few people make the trip anyway
and even fewer on PAYG. They are unlikely to become millionaires.

This sounds really quite fraudulent, doesn't it? Sounds like a racket. I
mean, posters go up in Johnston font quite quickly if eg service was
****e the previous day or the tubes were hot or whatever, so how come
there isn't a poster up saying PAYG IS VALID AT THIS STATION so that the
gate staff have no excuse?

The difference here is that you are comparing LU practice with the TOCs.
They are not the same and their objectives are quite different. Your
suggested notice would be hugely misleading as it implies that PAYG is
valid from all destinations to London Bridge.

A simple and clear notice explaining that PAYG is valid only on
Thameslink (or First Capital Connect) services between London Bridge and
Kentish Town inclusive might be more appropriate.

Clearly the operators are quite happy getting this extra little cashcow
immorally.

I doubt they know. As I have said elsewhere the only way this stuff gets
solved is if people officially complain. Complain to the MD of FCC and
South Eastern, demand your money back. Complain to Oyster, Complain to
London Travel Watch.

The other point seems to be that the equipment that is there is not
properly explained or looked after. That should be identified too.
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!