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David Jackman[_2_] · March 8th 09, 01:15 PM posted to uk.transport.london

MIG wrote in news:ae1f5bfe-3703-4402-939b-
:

Takeup of PAYG is offered as proof that people find it useful and
convenient, totally ignoring the fact that its introduction
corresponded to a huge hiking of cash fares. Of course people use it;
they are punished with what are effectively penalty fares if they
don't.

The reason why people are "clamouring for it to be extended" is to end
the injustice of being punished to coerce them to do something that
they can't actually do (except by moving house). The resentment isn't
going to be forgotten lightly.

A combination of Travelcards, bus passes, reasonably priced zone
extensions and a reasonable attitude from TfL would do the job just as
well, and still could without the extension of PAYG.

It will be interesting to see the effects Oyster has on Bus/Train/Tube use.

Take say a Kingston (Z6) to London commute:

Anytime Day Return £ 9.80
Anytime Day Travelcard £ 14.80

5 x Day Return £ 49.00
5 x Day Travelcard £ 74.00

Weekly season £ 36.20
Travelcard £ 47.60

Oyster PrePay peak single* £ 3.80
10 x Oyster PrePay £ 38.00

(* assumed based on current rates)

So somebody commuting to Waterloo (or Charing Cross, London Bridge etc)
won't benefit in a full five day week. The part time worker/occasional
traveller gets a 20% saving.

Somebody continuing their journey on the tube (e.g. to Bank) saves 20%
again (paying £38.00 on PrePay vs £47.60 for a travelcard) but somebody
continuing their journey by bus (a popular option at Waterloo) doesn't save
anything (and ought to be buying the Weekly season plus PrePay on the bus,
as this is cheaper than the travelcard). But they can now save 18% (paying
£7.60 /day vs £46.20/week) by switching to the tube.

And anybody buying a season to Waterloo and walking the rest of the way,
only using the tube when they are late or it is raining will be very
tempted to switch to PrePay and get the tube "for free" (actually
£1.80/week).

I'd suggest the overall effect of this is not just that many people will be
paying less for their commute (especally part timers, people working non-
standard hours and in Bank Holiday weeks) but that more of them will be
trying to catch the tube from London Bridge, Waterloo and Victoria. Ouch.

David

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