Following on from the announcement that contactless is being extended, I was wondering if Southerns KeyGo will be extended to more stations. Anyone know, please?
To more GTR stations, or stations in general? I suspect the answer to both is "no" for the time being.
In recent months interoperability with SWR between Dorking and Epsom was extended to Clapham Junction, though I've no idea if the relevant SWR-only stations (e.g. Worcester Park) have actually been configured to recognise this feature.
Also, is there a technical reason why KeyGo cannot be used to tap in and out at all contactless stations? Or is just commercial?
Probably a mix of both.
A station's gates / validators shouldn't be programmed to recognise "Flexismart Standard" - the indefinite* keyGo ticket on your Key Smartcard - unless they're connected to GTR's own ITSO back-office.^ Easy to do at GTR-managed stations; rather less so at other stations where a commercial agreement with the relevant operator is needed (currently limited to Zones 1-9 for this reason, most likely).
Beyond the zones keyGo validity ends where the streak of GTR-managed stations is broken, hence (for instance) Cambridge** and all stations beyond lying outside keyGo territory.
[* Until your Key Smartcard expires]
[^ It is (or was) possible to make a particular Underground journey the system labels "Smart Payg Misuse" though -
see previous thread]
[** If GTR aren't chosen to manage Cambridge South the invalidity will start there when it opens]
