On Sun, 21 Dec 2003 23:58:09 +0000, Kat
wrote:


Just out of interest, I'd like to know if anyone reading this group has
or is planning to get a purely Pre Pay oyster. From what I've gathered
(and I realise it's early days) there hasn't been that much demand for
them so far.
Is lure of 2003 single fare prices greater than the disadvantage of
paying a £3.00 deposit and locking an amount of cash away on an Oyster
card?

I have bought a Pre Pay. I work 2 days a week and make a variety of
journeys on some of the other days, so a season isn't an option for
me.
I know I'll still have to ask myself every time I go out whether a day
travelcard is the best option, but I have to do this anyway. If it
is, then I know I'll still have to buy a paper ticket until Oyster can
handle this, which is when I'll really start to feel the benefits.
The cheaper fares weren't really the main incentive, but in my view
the £3 deposit is a small price to pay for the big incentive of no
longer having to queue for a single or return ticket and having to
keep a stash of coins for the ticket machines.
I just hope it's all going to work OK when January comes as the level
of information issued specifically about pre-pay so far seems a bit
inadequate. Very little information came with the ticket or in the
new Oyster pre-pay leaflet that was being handed out last week. If I
hadn't read this group I don't think I'd fully appreciate the
importance of signing in and out at the beginning and end of each
journey, even if the gates are open, to avoid being charged for all
zones. I wonder how many people realise this as I haven't seen it
stressed anywhere else.