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Contactless Reading to London
- Thread starter Halsebee
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RailUK Forums
Yes, Contactless valid on all trains between Reading and Paddington. Barriers at Paddington on platforms 2 to 5, 10 to 14, standalone readers on platforms 1, 8 and 9.
Most definitely not valid for travel to London on any other route that doesnt involve travelling from Reading through West Drayton though.
When do these run or next due to run? I couldn't find anything on Real Time Trains.
Between Christmas and New Year.
Examples
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...27/0200-0159?stp=WVS&show=pax-calls&order=wtt
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...29/2130-2200?stp=WVS&show=pax-calls&order=wtt
Note that the rest of the GWR trains to Euston don't have open passenger calls at Reading, and consequently Contactless is not valid on them.
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renegademaster
Established Member
Do the gates charge you a different fare depending on wether you come out on the high level GWR platforms at Paddington compared the Elizabeth line ones?
No. There is only one peak and one off-peak fare defined for Reading to Paddington, as indicated by the single fare finder.
There is no penalty for interchange at the high level platforms compared to travelling throughout on the Elizabeth Line.
ivorytoast28
Member
At £32.80 for a single peak reading to tfl zone 1 that has to be just about the most expensive contactless fare on the network.. just as well contactless payments are no longer capped at £30!
Thanks for what. I didn't check every day.
Reading to Gatwick Airport is £44.10 peak.
As has already been noted, this isn't by any means the most expensive single fare in the TfL contactless system.
And as a point of interest, this system was never subject to the contactless limit on retail transactions, since it uses a different model (google "transit transaction model). Indeed, if you pick an uncappable journey such as the Heathrow Express, you can make your one daily charge be as many £25s as you can fit journeys in a day...
renegademaster
Established Member
What is the most expensive single fare?
Gatwick to Reading gives me £44 for a peak time single on the TfL single fare finder. Curious if that works on the North Downs line Service or just via Farringdon?
miklcct
Established Member
The North Downs line is outside the contactless area.
As of right now, Gatwick Airport to Reading is indeed the most expensive. Watch this space, though...
Tetchytyke
Veteran Member
Just via London and the GWML. Not valid on the North Downs and not valid via Bracknell
Indeed, but no need to go via Farringdon. GWR to Paddington, underground to Victoria and Southern to Gatwick also fine, as indeed is any other route which remains wholly in the Contactless area and doesn't exceed the maximum journey time.
You must remain within the area. That pretty much means you need to travel via West Ealing and South croydon. Also IIRC there are no OSIs to/from gatwick express, so I think if you use that you will be charged two seperate fares.
Farringdon is the obvious choice with only a single change, but I don't think there is anything stopping you taking other routes through London if you prefer.
The direct train from Reading to Gatwick leaves and re-enters the area so it's not valid and you are likely to get in trouble if ticket checked.
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