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-   -   Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It? (https://www.londonbanter.co.uk/london-transport/1180-another-oyster-prepay-thread-how.html)

I@n December 19th 03 04:51 PM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 

I do not have a photocard.

Oystercard.com won't let you buy a prepay card without a photocard
number.

Oystercard telephone sales won't let you buy a prepay card without a
photocard number.

Fulham Broadway tube station (admittedly the only one I've tried at
but it's not exactly small) are adamant that there is no such thing as
a prepay card, they can't sell me one, and they can't give me a
photocard on it's own either.

I know it's not usable yet but the web site says it can be bought now.
Or am I supposed to wait until Jan 4th and then buy it in the tube
station (hopefully someone will have educated Fulham Broadway by
then). Will I still get 2003 prices if I can't buy it until Jan 4th?



Steve December 19th 03 05:14 PM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
On 19/12/03 5:51 pm, in article ,
"I@n" -uk wrote:


Will I still get 2003 prices if I can't buy it until Jan 4th?



PrePay is cash stored on the Oystercard. Which means you can buy 10 pounds
worth of PrePay for 10 pounds.

I think 2003 prices will be the same as 2004.



Steve.


Dave Arquati December 19th 03 09:05 PM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
I@n wrote:
I do not have a photocard.

Oystercard.com won't let you buy a prepay card without a photocard
number.

Oystercard telephone sales won't let you buy a prepay card without a
photocard number.

Fulham Broadway tube station (admittedly the only one I've tried at
but it's not exactly small) are adamant that there is no such thing as
a prepay card, they can't sell me one, and they can't give me a
photocard on it's own either.


Come to Gloucester Road. We had Oyster roving sales people today! Even
if they aren't there, if you say to the ticket office staff you want a
photocard because you'll be getting an Oystercard, they'll give the
photocard to you no problem. It took me about 15 seconds.

Obviously the Fulham Bdy people are uneducated on the matter (and hence
wrong) but sometimes it's just easier to go elsewhere...

I know it's not usable yet but the web site says it can be bought now.
Or am I supposed to wait until Jan 4th and then buy it in the tube
station (hopefully someone will have educated Fulham Broadway by
then). Will I still get 2003 prices if I can't buy it until Jan 4th?


Yes, the fares only start on Jan 4th anyway and run through to the
following New Year.


--
Dave Arquati
Imperial College, SW7

DDV December 19th 03 09:55 PM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
"I@n" -uk wrote in message . ..
I do not have a photocard.

Oystercard.com won't let you buy a prepay card without a photocard
number.

Oystercard telephone sales won't let you buy a prepay card without a
photocard number.

Fulham Broadway tube station (admittedly the only one I've tried at
but it's not exactly small) are adamant that there is no such thing as
a prepay card, they can't sell me one, and they can't give me a
photocard on it's own either.

I know it's not usable yet but the web site says it can be bought now.
Or am I supposed to wait until Jan 4th and then buy it in the tube
station (hopefully someone will have educated Fulham Broadway by
then). Will I still get 2003 prices if I can't buy it until Jan 4th?


I just put the number 0 in the space for the photocard and it was
accepted and I have the card

Kat December 19th 03 11:24 PM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
In message , "I@n"
-uk writes

I do not have a photocard.

Oystercard.com won't let you buy a prepay card without a photocard
number.

Oystercard telephone sales won't let you buy a prepay card without a
photocard number.

Fulham Broadway tube station (admittedly the only one I've tried at
but it's not exactly small) are adamant that there is no such thing as
a prepay card, they can't sell me one, and they can't give me a
photocard on it's own either.

I know it's not usable yet but the web site says it can be bought now.
Or am I supposed to wait until Jan 4th and then buy it in the tube
station (hopefully someone will have educated Fulham Broadway by
then). Will I still get 2003 prices if I can't buy it until Jan 4th?


You can buy one now. There's a £3.00 (refundable) deposit and it doesn't
matter when you buy it, you'll still pay this year's fare for single
journeys.
As an Oyster card holding only a Pre Pay amount will be transferable, I
cannot see the need for a photocard.
Try another station (but preferably not Brixton ;-))
--
Kat Reality is the leading cause of stress among those in touch with it.


Q December 20th 03 02:01 AM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 

"Kat" wrote in message
...
In message , "I@n"
-uk writes

I do not have a photocard.

Oystercard.com won't let you buy a prepay card without a photocard
number.

Oystercard telephone sales won't let you buy a prepay card without a
photocard number.

Fulham Broadway tube station (admittedly the only one I've tried at
but it's not exactly small) are adamant that there is no such thing as
a prepay card, they can't sell me one, and they can't give me a
photocard on it's own either.

I know it's not usable yet but the web site says it can be bought now.
Or am I supposed to wait until Jan 4th and then buy it in the tube
station (hopefully someone will have educated Fulham Broadway by
then). Will I still get 2003 prices if I can't buy it until Jan 4th?


You can buy one now. There's a £3.00 (refundable) deposit and it doesn't
matter when you buy it, you'll still pay this year's fare for single
journeys.
As an Oyster card holding only a Pre Pay amount will be transferable, I
cannot see the need for a photocard.
Try another station (but preferably not Brixton ;-))




Ring the helpdesk and ask them to look into why the station is saying this.

I've had exactly the same problem at Waterloo. It was eventually resolved
after a load of phone calls and a argument with the DSM.

Prepay oyster can be got over the counter from *any* LUL ticket office. For
prepay you *do not* need a photo card, *nor* do you need to register it.
Only from the tele sales team, or the website.

If you are still having problems reply to me via the group, and ill contact
you back privately and can give you contact details for the helpdesk, a name
and internal number.

Enjoy.


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.553 / Virus Database: 345 - Release Date: 18/12/2003



gwr4090 December 20th 03 07:01 AM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
In article ,
I@n -uk wrote:

I do not have a photocard.


Oystercard.com won't let you buy a prepay card without a photocard
number.


Oystercard telephone sales won't let you buy a prepay card without a
photocard number.


Fulham Broadway tube station (admittedly the only one I've tried at
but it's not exactly small) are adamant that there is no such thing as
a prepay card, they can't sell me one, and they can't give me a
photocard on it's own either.


I know it's not usable yet but the web site says it can be bought now.
Or am I supposed to wait until Jan 4th and then buy it in the tube
station (hopefully someone will have educated Fulham Broadway by
then). Will I still get 2003 prices if I can't buy it until Jan 4th?



I purchased my Oyster card at Baker St tube station by presenting a
passport photo and asking for a card with a 7-day bus ticket.

David


Paul December 20th 03 04:24 PM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
On Fri, 19 Dec 2003 17:51:31 +0000, "I@n" -uk wrote:

Fulham Broadway tube station (admittedly the only one I've tried at
but it's not exactly small) are adamant that there is no such thing as
a prepay card, they can't sell me one, and they can't give me a
photocard on it's own either.


Last Monday I asked at Goldhawk Road for just a photocard so that I
could get an Oyster Pre-Pay online.

The ticket guy said he'd have to charge me £1 for the photocard unless
I bought a ticket, but that he could sell me the pre-pay Oystercard.

In the end, it took him about 15 minutes to issue it, involving 2
longish calls to a helpline, and which included him having to relay
questions to me from the phone such as 'what kinds of tickets was I
hoping to buy with it', and 'did I know it wouldn't work until
January', 'did i realise it wouldn't work on buses' etc!

He asked if I 'really' wanted to put £10 credit on the card, and at
the end, when I didn't question the £3 deposit, he expressed huge
relief that finally, 'someone' had actually bothered to read the
Oystercard leaflet!

He was throughly friendly and nice about the whole thing though, and i
felt quite guilty taking up so much of his time!

I got the feeling they are dreading the complexity of issueing and
explaining the Oystercards to people!




Neil Williams December 20th 03 05:19 PM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
On Sat, 20 Dec 2003 17:24:30 +0000, Paul
wrote:

I got the feeling they are dreading the complexity of issueing and
explaining the Oystercards to people!


I do wonder whether the complexity is resulting from the fact that a
traditional, complicated, paper-style fare structure is being retained
on what is essentially a new concept in ticketing, and the two don't
go together well.

Simplify and flatten the fare structure substantially, and it'll work
a lot better.

Neil

--
Neil Williams
is a valid email address, but is sent to /dev/null.
Try my first name at the above domain instead if you want to e-mail me.

David Jackman December 20th 03 08:18 PM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
"Q" wrote in
:

...

Prepay oyster can be got over the counter from *any* LUL ticket office.
For prepay you *do not* need a photo card, *nor* do you need to
register it. Only from the tele sales team, or the website.

...


What happens if the user of a "pre pay only" Oyster card wants to load a
season ticket onto it? Do they then have to register a phot card?

David

Paul December 20th 03 10:18 PM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
On Sat, 20 Dec 2003 21:18:23 +0000 (UTC), David Jackman
wrote:

"Q" wrote in
:

...

Prepay oyster can be got over the counter from *any* LUL ticket office.
For prepay you *do not* need a photo card, *nor* do you need to
register it. Only from the tele sales team, or the website.


What happens if the user of a "pre pay only" Oyster card wants to load a
season ticket onto it? Do they then have to register a phot card?


Has anyone actually managed to obtain a pre-pay oystercard without
having a photocard yet??

As far as I can make out, they seem to be insisting on you providing a
photocard number on the net, via the telephone, and at the ticket
offices.





I@n December 20th 03 11:04 PM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
On Sat, 20 Dec 2003 21:18:23 +0000 (UTC), David Jackman
wrote:

"Q" wrote in
:

...

Prepay oyster can be got over the counter from *any* LUL ticket office.
For prepay you *do not* need a photo card, *nor* do you need to
register it. Only from the tele sales team, or the website.

...


What happens if the user of a "pre pay only" Oyster card wants to load a
season ticket onto it? Do they then have to register a phot card?

David


I just revisted oystercard.com and on the prepay page (in its stupid
little window) read:

* Do I need a photocard for Oyster Pre Pay?

Yes. All Oyster customers are required to enter a photocard number
when buying online. If you would like to purchase further tickets on
Oyster, such as 7-Day or Monthly you can do so right away without the
need to get another photocard.


I am going to try again at buying it tomorrow when I'm up in zone 1.
The site also now mentions a date of 15 December, after which Prepay
can be topped up at all tube stations, so maybe all the staff will
know about it now since that date has definitely passed.

Neil Williams December 21st 03 12:09 AM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
On Sun, 21 Dec 2003 00:04:08 +0000, "I@n" -uk wrote:

Yes. All Oyster customers are required to enter a photocard number
when buying online. If you would like to purchase further tickets on
Oyster, such as 7-Day or Monthly you can do so right away without the
need to get another photocard.


This strikes me as rather odd when I'm sure I recall earlier
promotional material for Pre-Pay stating that it was (unlike proper
seasons) transferable.

Neil

--
Neil Williams
is a valid email address, but is sent to /dev/null.
Try my first name at the above domain instead if you want to e-mail me.

Paul December 21st 03 12:27 PM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
On Sun, 21 Dec 2003 01:09:08 GMT, (Neil
Williams) wrote:


Yes. All Oyster customers are required to enter a photocard number
when buying online. If you would like to purchase further tickets on
Oyster, such as 7-Day or Monthly you can do so right away without the
need to get another photocard.


This strikes me as rather odd when I'm sure I recall earlier
promotional material for Pre-Pay stating that it was (unlike proper
seasons) transferable.

I'd imagine having all Oystercards linked to a photocard doesn't
prevent it from being transferable when used for pre-pay, if you are
only required to produce a photocard when using the card as a season
ticket.

However, I think one area where the 'transferable' option could cause
huge confusion is the situation where an Oystercard contains both a
season ticket, AND some pre-pay credit.
If you then lend (transfer) your Oystercard to someone, how do they
insure that their ticket is taken from the Pre-pay balance and not
just authorised as part of the owners season ticket (which could
result in a prosecution!)?

Maybe they should have just issued 2 separate types of Oystercard,
pre-pay and season ticket.





Neil Williams December 21st 03 04:00 PM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
On Sun, 21 Dec 2003 13:27:08 +0000, Paul
wrote:

Maybe they should have just issued 2 separate types of Oystercard,
pre-pay and season ticket.


Okay, here's an idea - how about making *all* Oystercard tickets
transferrable? Seasons, pre-pay, the lot?

Unlike a paper ticket, a lost Oyster can (presumably) be deactivated
if stolen, so a photocard is not as important to avoid that. The only
thing you'd lose is an ability to claim back penalty fares less an
admin fee if you genuinely forgot your ticket (do TfL do that?) The
only other thing to watch out for is people passing them through bus
windows like they often do for transferrable operator-specific bus
passes elsewhere in the country.

Other countries (e.g. Germany) have transferrable seasons (though
often at a slightly higher price) - why not?

Neil

--
Neil Williams
is a valid email address, but is sent to /dev/null.
Try my first name at the above domain instead if you want to e-mail me.

Kat December 21st 03 07:29 PM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
In message , Paul
writes
On Sun, 21 Dec 2003 01:09:08 GMT, (Neil
Williams) wrote:


Yes. All Oyster customers are required to enter a photocard number
when buying online. If you would like to purchase further tickets on
Oyster, such as 7-Day or Monthly you can do so right away without the
need to get another photocard.


This strikes me as rather odd when I'm sure I recall earlier
promotional material for Pre-Pay stating that it was (unlike proper
seasons) transferable.

I'd imagine having all Oystercards linked to a photocard doesn't
prevent it from being transferable when used for pre-pay, if you are
only required to produce a photocard when using the card as a season
ticket.

However, I think one area where the 'transferable' option could cause
huge confusion is the situation where an Oystercard contains both a
season ticket, AND some pre-pay credit.
If you then lend (transfer) your Oystercard to someone, how do they
insure that their ticket is taken from the Pre-pay balance and not
just authorised as part of the owners season ticket (which could
result in a prosecution!)?


If the Oyster card contains a season ticket as well as Pre Pay, then it
is no longer transferable.
But, eventually, you will be able to buy a magnetic ticket for another
person using the Pre Pay element of your Oyster card.

Maybe they should have just issued 2 separate types of Oystercard,
pre-pay and season ticket.

AFAICS, there is nothing to stop you from buying another Oyster card for
Pre Pay only. Of course, then you'd have to pay the £3.00 deposit too
and remember which was which.
--
Kat "bears, said the taxi driver, is sixpence extra,

sticky bears is ninepence"

I@n December 21st 03 08:27 PM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
On Sun, 21 Dec 2003 17:00:59 GMT, (Neil
Williams) wrote:
Unlike a paper ticket, a lost Oyster can (presumably) be deactivated
if stolen, so a photocard is not as important to avoid that. The only
thing you'd lose is an ability to claim back penalty fares less an
admin fee if you genuinely forgot your ticket (do TfL do that?) The
only other thing to watch out for is people passing them through bus
windows like they often do for transferrable operator-specific bus
passes elsewhere in the country.


But presumably the oyster reader on the bus knows it just saw the same
oystercard 30 seconds earlier before it was passed out the window, and
therefore refuses it the second time (if travelcard) or charges a
second ticket (if prepay). Similar to how the tube gates have for
years rejected paper tickets if a second attempt is made to use them
within five minutes or so.

Passing the ticket out the window passes a visual/human inspection but
surely not a computer inspection.

Dave Newt December 21st 03 09:53 PM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
Kat wrote:

In message , Paul
writes
On Sun, 21 Dec 2003 01:09:08 GMT, (Neil
Williams) wrote:


Yes. All Oyster customers are required to enter a photocard number
when buying online. If you would like to purchase further tickets on
Oyster, such as 7-Day or Monthly you can do so right away without the
need to get another photocard.

This strikes me as rather odd when I'm sure I recall earlier
promotional material for Pre-Pay stating that it was (unlike proper
seasons) transferable.

I'd imagine having all Oystercards linked to a photocard doesn't
prevent it from being transferable when used for pre-pay, if you are
only required to produce a photocard when using the card as a season
ticket.

However, I think one area where the 'transferable' option could cause
huge confusion is the situation where an Oystercard contains both a
season ticket, AND some pre-pay credit.
If you then lend (transfer) your Oystercard to someone, how do they
insure that their ticket is taken from the Pre-pay balance and not
just authorised as part of the owners season ticket (which could
result in a prosecution!)?


If the Oyster card contains a season ticket as well as Pre Pay, then it
is no longer transferable.
But, eventually, you will be able to buy a magnetic ticket for another
person using the Pre Pay element of your Oyster card.

Maybe they should have just issued 2 separate types of Oystercard,
pre-pay and season ticket.

AFAICS, there is nothing to stop you from buying another Oyster card for
Pre Pay only. Of course, then you'd have to pay the £3.00 deposit too
and remember which was which.


Yes - in fact I was thiking that having say a blue one for seasons and a
green one for prepay (or whatever) would have been a good idea just for
all these reasons.

But I picked up a leaflet at Walthamstow Central last night which gave a
scenario where one multi-card would be better.

The leaflet contained two bits of info:

(1) Ticket Extensions
If you have an Oyster season, and are travelling to an underground or
DLR station outside the zone covered by your ticket, the additional fare
(Ticket Extension) will be automatically calculated and deducted from
any Pre-Pay balance you may have.

(2) New anti-fraud feature
If you have an Oyster season and it is used outside the zones for which
the ticket is valid, it will be debited with the cost of any extra
travel made. Customers will be unable to enter any tube station until
the negative balance has been cleared.

(The suggestion is that if you keep a few quid on pre-pay, it will
enable (1) automatically, but without Pre-Pay on the card too, you will
get (2).

If the season and pre-pay were on different cards, then the above system
(which I think sounds good) couldn't work, I don't think.

dave

Kat December 21st 03 10:28 PM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
In message , Dave Newt
writes
Kat wrote:

AFAICS, there is nothing to stop you from buying another Oyster card for
Pre Pay only. Of course, then you'd have to pay the £3.00 deposit too
and remember which was which.


Yes - in fact I was thiking that having say a blue one for seasons and a
green one for prepay (or whatever) would have been a good idea just for
all these reasons.


You could just ask for one of the ordinary black plastic wallets in
which to keep one for easy identification.
The wallets do not have to be opened (as I see many people do.)

But I picked up a leaflet at Walthamstow Central last night which gave a
scenario where one multi-card would be better.

The leaflet contained two bits of info:

(1) Ticket Extensions
If you have an Oyster season, and are travelling to an underground or
DLR station outside the zone covered by your ticket, the additional fare
(Ticket Extension) will be automatically calculated and deducted from
any Pre-Pay balance you may have.

(2) New anti-fraud feature
If you have an Oyster season and it is used outside the zones for which
the ticket is valid, it will be debited with the cost of any extra
travel made. Customers will be unable to enter any tube station until
the negative balance has been cleared.

(The suggestion is that if you keep a few quid on pre-pay, it will
enable (1) automatically, but without Pre-Pay on the card too, you will
get (2).

If the season and pre-pay were on different cards, then the above system
(which I think sounds good) couldn't work, I don't think.


No, it wouldn't but you could keep some Pre Pay on your season ticket
Oyster for extensions and the other Oyster for other needs.
If you have an Oyster season ticket with no Pre Pay on it, 57 will show
on the POD and you'll just be stopped at the gates and directed to the
Assistance Window to pay the difference if you go out of zone.
--
Kat "bears, said the taxi driver, is sixpence extra,

sticky bears is ninepence"

Dave Newt December 21st 03 10:38 PM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
Kat wrote:

In message , Dave Newt
writes
Kat wrote:

AFAICS, there is nothing to stop you from buying another Oyster card for
Pre Pay only. Of course, then you'd have to pay the £3.00 deposit too
and remember which was which.


Yes - in fact I was thiking that having say a blue one for seasons and a
green one for prepay (or whatever) would have been a good idea just for
all these reasons.


You could just ask for one of the ordinary black plastic wallets in
which to keep one for easy identification.
The wallets do not have to be opened (as I see many people do.)

But I picked up a leaflet at Walthamstow Central last night which gave a
scenario where one multi-card would be better.

The leaflet contained two bits of info:

(1) Ticket Extensions
If you have an Oyster season, and are travelling to an underground or
DLR station outside the zone covered by your ticket, the additional fare
(Ticket Extension) will be automatically calculated and deducted from
any Pre-Pay balance you may have.

(2) New anti-fraud feature
If you have an Oyster season and it is used outside the zones for which
the ticket is valid, it will be debited with the cost of any extra
travel made. Customers will be unable to enter any tube station until
the negative balance has been cleared.

(The suggestion is that if you keep a few quid on pre-pay, it will
enable (1) automatically, but without Pre-Pay on the card too, you will
get (2).

If the season and pre-pay were on different cards, then the above system
(which I think sounds good) couldn't work, I don't think.


No, it wouldn't but you could keep some Pre Pay on your season ticket
Oyster for extensions and the other Oyster for other needs.


But then all you have done is make *three* different types of credit
rather than two. (1) Pre-Pay for excess fares, (2) Pre-pay for
pay-as-you-go and (3) Seasons.

This would seem to me to be yet another complication rather than
simplification in the fare structure...

I think whoever said earlier in the thread that it will all work more
smoothly if the entire ticketing structure is reformed was spot on...

Kat December 21st 03 10:58 PM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
In message , Dave Newt
writes
No, it wouldn't but you could keep some Pre Pay on your season ticket
Oyster for extensions and the other Oyster for other needs.


But then all you have done is make *three* different types of credit
rather than two. (1) Pre-Pay for excess fares, (2) Pre-pay for
pay-as-you-go and (3) Seasons.


Yes, but on two cards with different uses.

This would seem to me to be yet another complication rather than
simplification in the fare structure...

I think whoever said earlier in the thread that it will all work more
smoothly if the entire ticketing structure is reformed was spot on...


That may be... especially in 2004 when there are different prices for
weekends and bank holidays and a host of other *make life harder for the
SAMFs* goodies..
However, I was replying to Paul's suggestion that two types of Oyster
card might be a good idea.
If you did keep another Oyster solely with Pre Pay on it then you could
give it to someone else if necessary.

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?
--
Kat "bears, said the taxi driver, is sixpence extra,

sticky bears is ninepence"

Paul December 22nd 03 12:39 AM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
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 bought a pure Pre Pay last Monday.

For me, the biggest lure was the convenience of never again having to
fiddle about buying a ticket from a machine (long queues, not having
change, machines not working, late nights with unsavourys lurking near
by, etc etc).

The 2003 fares were also an incentive to get one, especially
eventually being able to get the 'bus saver' discount, without the
little books!

I kind of viewed the £3 deposit as more of a one off charge. I think
the fact that it is refundable is probably more important to tourists
than Londoners.

I have used the equivalent Octopus system in Hong Kong though, and
fell in love with it there, so I was relatively easy to convince to
convert!



Jill December 22nd 03 06:09 AM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
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.


Robin Mayes December 22nd 03 08:19 AM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 

"Jill" wrote in message
...

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.


I feel some "Oyster related stress" sickness coming on!



Robin Mayes December 22nd 03 08:20 AM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 

"Dave Newt" wrote in message
...

This would seem to me to be yet another complication rather than
simplification in the fare structure...


Indeed


I think whoever said earlier in the thread that it will all work more
smoothly if the entire ticketing structure is reformed was spot on...


As I understand it, it was supposed to. You don't expect a holistic approach
in this job do you?



Kat December 22nd 03 08:28 AM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
In message , Jill
writes
[...]
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.


I'll find out if more training aimed at the user will be forthcoming
before January 4th.

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.


Exactly.
I can't stress enough how important it will be to use the yellow reader
at the start and finish of each journey or the Pre Pay amount will
disappear in large chunks with unresolved journeys.
We'll be able to resolve *single* unresolved journeys on the TOMs
locally and Revenue Inspectors will be able to do it with their HHCs but
more than one will require a phone call to sort out.
--
Kat "bears, said the taxi driver, is sixpence extra,

sticky bears is ninepence"

Kat December 22nd 03 08:35 AM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
In message , Robin Mayes
writes

"Jill" wrote in message
.. .

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.


I feel some "Oyster related stress" sickness coming on!

Not if there's an R in the month....
--
Kat "bears, said the taxi driver, is sixpence extra,

sticky bears is ninepence"

Kat December 22nd 03 08:42 AM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
In message , Kat
writes
If you have an Oyster season ticket with no Pre Pay on it, 57 will show
on the POD and you'll just be stopped at the gates and directed to the
Assistance Window to pay the difference if you go out of zone.


I may have caused some confusion here. I'm assuming that a season ticket
which has never had any Pre Pay on it will do this.
An Oyster which has inadequate Pre Pay or none because it has been used
up will open the gates but not allow you to use your season ticket again
(even if it's perfectly valid) until the amount owing for the extension
has been cleared.
I can see this causing major problems.
--
Kat "bears, said the taxi driver, is sixpence extra,

sticky bears is ninepence"

Nadeem December 22nd 03 10:00 AM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
Q wrote:
Prepay oyster can be got over the counter from *any* LUL ticket
office. For prepay you *do not* need a photo card, *nor* do you need
to register it. Only from the tele sales team, or the website.

If you are still having problems reply to me via the group, and ill
contact you back privately and can give you contact details for the
helpdesk, a name and internal number.

I'd appreciate some help with this please. I today made a big effort to buy
the pre-pay at Liverpool Street (where there is a promo team today), but the
ticket staff kept insisting I needed a photocard (and I had to register,
which is fine by me, though I'd prefer not to bother). The tfl information
centre (at Liverpool Street) wasn't even sure what the oystercard was!!!

Nadeem (rainbowmedia on hotmail is the best email for me - my reply -to
email is valid as well, but unfortunately still deluged with the Swen virus
daily)



Michael R N Dolbear December 23rd 03 06:22 PM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 

Kat wrote
[...]
An Oyster which has inadequate Pre Pay or none because it has been

used
up will open the gates but not allow you to use your season ticket

again
(even if it's perfectly valid) until the amount owing for the

extension
has been cleared.
I can see this causing major problems.


AND you are assuming your exit station is staffed so you can pay if you
wish.

The major problems would be if it is unstaffed and you get 'refused'
the next morning.

And what happens if the next use is again at an unstaffed station ?

--
Mike D

Tom Anderson December 24th 03 07:17 PM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
On Mon, 22 Dec 2003, Paul wrote:

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

oyster.

the equivalent Octopus system in Hong Kong


Are all such systems named after molluscs?

tom

--
Come on thunder; come on thunder.


Kat December 24th 03 07:50 PM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
In message ,
Tom Anderson writes
On Mon, 22 Dec 2003, Paul wrote:

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

oyster.

the equivalent Octopus system in Hong Kong


Are all such systems named after molluscs?


The octopus is known for its intelligence which is probably why our
system has been named after the oyster which isn't known for its
intelligence but can give you a nasty of vomiting instead....
--
Kat "A world without string is chaos"


Richard J. December 24th 03 08:50 PM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
Kat wrote:
In message ,
Tom Anderson writes
On Mon, 22 Dec 2003, Paul wrote:

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

oyster.

the equivalent Octopus system in Hong Kong


Are all such systems named after molluscs?


The octopus is known for its intelligence which is probably why our
system has been named after the oyster which isn't known for its
intelligence but can give you a nasty of vomiting instead....


Now there's a suitable image for Christmas! Merry Christmas, Kat!

In defence of the oyster, I must point out that it's the incompetents who
mishandle them who give you the nasties. As this is the season of peace
and goodwill, I'll leave the reader to consider the relevance of this to
TfL/LU and/or their passengers.
:-)

I have banned oysters for life in the UK after being poisoned twice by very
expensive London restaurants, but have had no problems in France or
Australia. Perhaps I shold relent when I get my Oyster Freedom Pass next
year; after all, my previous UK experience was 30 years ago.

--
Richard J.
(to e-mail me, swap uk and yon in address)


John Rowland December 24th 03 09:59 PM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
"Kat" wrote in message
...
In message ,
Tom Anderson writes
On Mon, 22 Dec 2003, Paul wrote:
On Sun, 21 Dec 2003 23:58:09 +0000, Kat
wrote:

oyster.

the equivalent Octopus system in Hong Kong


Are all such systems named after molluscs?


The octopus is known for its intelligence which is
probably why our system has been named after
the oyster which isn't known for its intelligence
but can give you a nasty of vomiting instead....


The oyster's biggest claim to fame is that as soon as you have one, you're
screwed.

--
John Rowland - Spamtrapped
Transport Plans for the London Area, updated 2001
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acro...69/tpftla.html
A man's vehicle is a symbol of his manhood.
That's why my vehicle's the Piccadilly Line -
It's the size of a county and it comes every two and a half minutes



Kat December 24th 03 10:42 PM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
In message , Richard J.
writes
Kat wrote:
The octopus is known for its intelligence which is probably why our
system has been named after the oyster which isn't known for its
intelligence but can give you a nasty of vomiting instead....


Now there's a suitable image for Christmas! Merry Christmas, Kat!


And a Merry Christmas and peaceful New Year to you and everyone else who
reads and/or contributes to this interesting and informative group.

In defence of the oyster, I must point out that it's the incompetents who
mishandle them who give you the nasties. As this is the season of peace
and goodwill, I'll leave the reader to consider the relevance of this to
TfL/LU and/or their passengers.
:-)

Oh dear; must try harder....
;-)
--
Kat I've always wanted to be somebody. Next time I'll be more specific.


Kat December 24th 03 10:45 PM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
In message , John Rowland
writes
"Kat" wrote in message
...
In message ,
Tom Anderson writes
On Mon, 22 Dec 2003, Paul wrote:
On Sun, 21 Dec 2003 23:58:09 +0000, Kat
wrote:

oyster.

the equivalent Octopus system in Hong Kong

Are all such systems named after molluscs?


The octopus is known for its intelligence which is
probably why our system has been named after
the oyster which isn't known for its intelligence
but can give you a nasty of vomiting instead....


The oyster's biggest claim to fame is that as soon as you have one, you're
screwed.

LOL
A myth initiated by the good people of Whitstable I believe....
--
Kat "A world without string is chaos"


TheOneKEA December 27th 03 10:44 PM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
(Neil Williams) wrote in message ...
On Sat, 20 Dec 2003 17:24:30 +0000, Paul
wrote:

I got the feeling they are dreading the complexity of issueing and
explaining the Oystercards to people!


I do wonder whether the complexity is resulting from the fact that a
traditional, complicated, paper-style fare structure is being retained
on what is essentially a new concept in ticketing, and the two don't
go together well.

Simplify and flatten the fare structure substantially, and it'll work
a lot better.

Neil


But how would you simplify it? The zoning system is a good idea IMO
because of the freedom and flexibility it offers, but how do you
flatten the fare structure without knocking the entire revenue stream
out from under LU?

If everybody used Pre-Pay or Season Oystercards, it wouldn't be so
much of an issue - they could use whatever fare structure they wanted,
as long as people touched a validator at the correct spots, right?

Brad

Jason January 5th 04 03:03 PM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
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.


I've ordered one for my wife: she only uses the tube two or three days
a week therefore making a season tickets uneconomical.

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?


For her sort of travel and Oyster is ideal, and with the added lures
of 2003 fares and discount weekend singles. The £3 isn't much of an
issue, especially as it's refundable.


Cheers,

Jason.

Helen Deborah Vecht January 5th 04 04:41 PM

Another Oyster Prepay Thread - How Do You Buy It?
 
Jason typed


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.


Maybe it has been suppressed by discouragement from poorly trained
ticket staff...

I've ordered one for my wife: she only uses the tube two or three days
a week therefore making a season tickets uneconomical.


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?


For her sort of travel and Oyster is ideal, and with the added lures
of 2003 fares and discount weekend singles. The £3 isn't much of an
issue, especially as it's refundable.


Quite. It seems those who post here know rather more than some ticket
staff I have encountered.

The website was down last night so I phoned the salesline and held for
ages, though got what I wanted eventually.

--
Helen D. Vecht:
Edgware.


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