On 16 Oct 2007 13:42:36 -0700, Mizter T wrote:

If one can manage to touch-in and touch-out then it's unlikely that
the rest of the pitfalls that you outline would occur to the vast
majority of passengers, let alone tourists. Yes, the two-hour issue is
one that has been discussed here recently and it looks like it needs
amending - plus I'd add there are some other possible issues with
regards to out-of-station interchanges as well. These variables aren't
however set in stone and can all be reviewed and tweaked - indeed I'm
sure that over time they will be, especially with regards to an
extensive roll out of Oyster PAYG on suburban rail lines.

The easiest thing to do with interchange would be, IMO, that any
touch-in within say half an hour[1] of a touch-out is considered an
interchange. If it results in a small number of people doing a return
journey for a single fare, so be it - the Dutch Strippenkaart
explicitly allows it.

I'd also like to see a discount for interchange with a bus - i.e. any
bus single journey with as many changes as you like is one fare (say
gbp1), and if you make a Tube journey as many connecting bus journeys
as you like (before or after) are free. This would do away with the
current penalty imposed on those who have to change buses or modes.

But, yes, it is maturing nicely, and it will be welcome once it
reaches the whole London public transport network.

[1] For buses, I think I'd say "any touch in within an hour is an
interchange", as many bus journeys will last longer than half an hour.

Neil

--
Neil Williams
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