On 4 Jan, 13:01, Chris wrote:
Specifically, the am peak.

I notice that it is 0630-0930 for peak single prices on the tube, but
the peak cap runs from 0400...(? - start of service).


No, 0430 (the Oyster charging day runs from 0430 to 0430).


Why can't they charge off-peak cap on travel prior to 0630, if no
further travel is done until after 0930 (and before or after the pm
peak)?

All the recording is computerised, so it should be simple to get the
programming right....so what's the reason?


A fair enough question though, one I pondered myself on examining the
new fares. A few thoughts... First off, perhaps configuring the system
to enable this isn't actually a simple matter at all (and is perhaps
not even possible).

Secondly, in this hypothetical scenario there would only be a two hour
window in the early morning (0430 to 0630) that would count towards an
Off-Peak cap before the peak cap kicked in between 0630 and 0930 -
implementing this was perhaps simply not thought worthwhile,
considering the strictly limited number of people who might benefit
from it.

Thirdly, there's an argument about keeping it simple - OK, there are
now somewhat confusingly two definitions of Peak and Off-Peak in
operation w.r.t. Oyster, that of daily capping and separately that of
single fares - but the notion that morning peak journeys before 0930
count towards the Peak cap is arguably far simpler to communicate to
passengers.

Fourthly, Oyster daily capping rates shadow the prices of Day
Travelcards (the caps are all 50p less than the quasi-equivalent Day
Travelcard) - perhaps it's easier, simpler, or even necessary for the
Oyster Off-Peak daily caps to shadow the time restrictions of Off-Peak
Day Travelcards [1].

Fifthly (and connected to the last point), Oyster PAYG is being rolled
out across National Rail - if there was to be a two hour Off-Peak
capping window (0430-0630) in the morning that would presumably
require the agreement of the TOCs. This may well not be forthcoming -
TOCs aren't keen on reducing their potential revenue, and are also
rather wary of TfL and the Mayor dictating their fares (which is in a
sense what this would entail).
Also TOCs might be wary of implementing it because of the resulting
problems it might cause - in general mainline rail services don't get
going until a bit later than the Tube, so rail passengers might end up
frustrated in their efforts to slip in the Off-Peak window and
complete their journey before 0630, especially if a train was delayed
or cancelled.


One might say that some night workers might benefit from the 0430-0630
window being included in the Off-Peak cap, which is something I would
be sympathetic to if this was the case - but I'm far from sure that
that arguemnt stacks up... the reason being is, essentially people who
are travelling every day to work will either simply be paying single
Oyster PAYG fares (which are now cheaper pre-0630 on the Tube) or will
buy a period Travelcard, depending on which works out cheaper for them
- in other words regular (i.e. more or less daily) commuters simply
shouldn't be relying on daily capping for their normal journey,
because it will be more expensive for them.


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[1] Off-Peak Day Travelcards actually have a potential validity period
of 28 1/2hrs (from midnight until 0430 the following morning), but one
can only take advantage of this on Saturdays, Sunday and public
holidays (i.e. the only days when Off-Peak Travelcards are valid all
day inc. before 0930).