Maybe? But contactless is valid, so ripe for confusion when one stop (for some services) up the line, both contactless and Oyster are valid.
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Project Oval: TfL win DfT contract to expand contactless system to 233 rail stations by May 2024, Railcards coming to contactless payment cards
- Thread starter JaJaWa
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R
RailUK Forums
I'd say having Oyster pads in a station where buses accept Oyster outside would lead to more confusion if there weren't notices.
Such posters are in place across the South East as there are plenty of people who don't believe there is a limit to where Oyster is valid.
I've come across people presenting Oyster cards on the Seaford branch!
It's amazing the reaction from the hip young Claphamites on a day out in the country when they're asked to buy a ticket. They're not worried about the cost, but there's an amazing look of "woah, the countryside is really living in the past!" when they're given 2 orange rectangles.
Kite159
Veteran Member
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So similar with Slough which gets TfL buses but only contactless is valid on the railway
The one at Staines only appeared a few days ago on a portable poster frame dumped outside the station. Its temporary nature makes me wonder if it's Ascot related or a follow up to a few recent RPI blocks.
Just out of interest, do you know what date in July the next fares revision is happening?
Also, do you think there’s a realistic chance the next Oval phase, which includes Tunbridge Wells, could happen in July? Given the validators are ready to go at Tunbridge Wells, it would seem ridiculous to wait until November. Having said that, given how slow this project has been to roll out, I wouldn’t be surprised if the next phase doesn’t happen until next year!
No validators have been installed at High Brooms yet, but I can see the ground coverings where they’re likely to be placed, along with the metal tubing used to protect and route the cables.
I think the July revision is from the 1st Sunday in July (5th). I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.
Getting validators in place is only a small part of the jigsaw to make it go live. The setting up of fares is a much bigger task. Having said that, there is no way that contactless will go live at Tunbridge Wells if High Brooms doesn't have validators. My understanding from someone working on the fare setting part of the puzzle is that nothing is changing in July.
Getting validators in place is only a small part of the jigsaw to make it go live. The setting up of fares is a much bigger task. Having said that, there is no way that contactless will go live at Tunbridge Wells if High Brooms doesn't have validators. My understanding from someone working on the fare setting part of the puzzle is that nothing is changing in July.
OneOfThe48
Member
Given the constraints of the Fares Freeze, it may be that no extension happens until after March next year
The fares freeze does not apply to fares changes implemented for PAYG rollout.
It's one of the vast number of exemptions to the "fares freeze", alongside advance ticket quotas, first class, TfL fares, unregulated fares, ...
OneOfThe48
Member
I meant more public perception constraints
Good luck explaining to someone that the Fares ‘Freeze’ doesn’t apply when your Fare has increased by 20%-50%
No need; they'll just say it's simpler and easier to understand.
They haven't cared up to now. They're not going to suddenly start caring today.
Until they do - and their MPs wake up.
Even my Lib Dem MP couldn't care less, unfortunately.
i'd imagine the people affected by the uniform 0930 peak restriction form a cross-section with people with time on their hands to send letters to their MP. I doubt MPs have received many letters thanking them for off-peak fares before 0630.
I don't really see how there will be movement on the matter.
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My MP has received many letters about the substantial increase in the cost of weekend travel.
OneOfThe48
Member
The type of thing which would be avoided by waiting until next year to do the next round of extensions
Hadders has posted upthread that he lives in an area covered by one of the extensions that has already gone live.
As part of the changes to traditional tickets that accompanied said extension, Super Off-Peak tickets were withdrawn because TfL's charging system can only cope with two price points: Peak and Off-Peak.
Sleepy
Established Member
The amount of people on any random train to Chelmsford using contactless recently can be counted on 1 hand !! Not very popular is it ???
Where is the train going to? There are only 3 more stops that take contactless after Chelmsford.
I suspect that there will be different volumes of use at different times of day, reflecting the way the fare structure works and interaction with railcards or longer distance journeys.
I am considering writing to my MP seeing that our local stations (Bracknell and Martins Heron) are in the next stage,. Are there any example letters around that I could adapt? He may well be aware but as far as I can see has not commented on it,
GIven the apparent constraints of the TfL system with regard to peak windows, I can't see anything being possible with the 0630-0930 / 1600-1900 peak periods for outer stations. However, pressing hard on the time an easement applies on off-peak capping and travelcard should be the thing that should be done. This does not have to be 0930.
Thanks for clarifying, Mike. Much appreciated.
Cubic posted on X earlier confirming they are currently working on the Southeastern network to bring contactless PAYG to 23 stations later this year.
Going by the contactless pay-as-you-go map, I believe these are the 23 stations included:
Tunbridge Wells
High Brooms
Tonbridge
Hildenborough
West Malling
Borough Green and Wrotham
Kemsing
Rainham
Gillingham
Chatham
Rochester
Strood
Sole Street
Higham
Meopham
Gravesend
Ebbsfleet International
Longfield
Northfleet
Swanscombe
Greenhithe
Farningham Road
Stone Crossing
Backroom_boy
Member
Maybe we should start a thread for the most tenuous World Cup/Railway connection that a company's PR is promoting?