In message
, at
02:47:02 on Fri, 18 Jan 2008, Matthew Dickinson
remarked:
I'm waiting to see what degree of interoperability there is between the
ITSO cards introduced by different ToCs. Could I reasonably expect to
have a "SWT" branded ITSO card and use it to pick up [1] a ticket at
Kings Cross for a forthcoming trip between Birmingham and Derby on
Arriva XC.

And if not, where and with whose card might I expect to.

Putting pure technology issues aside, I note that there are currently
restrictions on Oyster about doing various administrative things only at
pre-nominated stations.


The actual physical card could be provided by many different sources,
possibly even places like libraries or the local bus company.

Yes, I understand that's the idea. One of the things I'm trying to find
out is will I need half a dozen separate cards (one for the library, one
for the bus, one for SWT, one for XC etc), or will whatever the first
one I get then be capable of handling *everything* simultaneously.

The products ('stored journey rights, seasons and carnets) will be
retailed by the TOCs and agents such as the Trainline. Loading could
take place either at the point of sale, or through the TOD
functionality at validators.

Could... but *will* they? That's the question. Or do I have to find
specific "loading points".

In the extreme, I wouldn't really expect to get a SWT season ticket I
bought last night suddenly appear on my ITSO card when I use it (at some
point in the future) to make a trip on a Nottingham bus.

But would I be wrong to expect it to suddenly appear if I used that same
card to work the barrier into Nottingham railway station on my way back
to London having just spent the weekend in the Midlands? Or would I have
to wait until I encountered a SWT-branded validator?

Stored value interavailability (e.g using Nottingham Easyrider credit
as Oyster PAYG credit) is unlikely because of the e-money issues.

Agreed. I was only talking about picking up specific pre-paid
"e-tickets".
--
Roland Perry