Fare via zone 1 showing cheaper than avoiding zone 1 on single fare finder

[Techno875]

The single fare finder shows a journey from Golders Green (zone3) to Cheshunt (zone 8) as £4 or £4.90 if you avoid zone 1?!?

I have attached a screenshot of the single fare finder. Could it be an error in the fare finder as you can see in the screenshot that it says the alternative fare is zones 1-8, even though it’s telling you to avoid zone 1?

Should note that the journey reversed shows as expected in the fare finder, with the journey avoiding zone 1 being cheaper.

Anyone know if this is correct? Many thanks.

 

[TravellingTyke]

Could it be the Z1-avoiding fare uses a more expensive line? I'm not familiar with thw route you want to take, but I know for example that the off peak fare for Gidea Park to Whitechapel via the Elizabeth line is more expensive than Hornhurch to Whitechapel on the District line despite the starting, ending and through zones beinh exactly the same (and is a personal bugbear of mine!)

 

[Techno875]

I thought it could be because of more expensive line but on the TFL journey planner, using just tube and overground it’s still showing more expensive to avoid zone 1, therefore I don’t think it’s the line. It’s not using Elizabeth line, national rail, thameslink ect.

I’ve had a look and the journey from one stop up the line at Brent Cross (still zone 3) to Cheshunt which shows the fare to be cheaper avoiding zone 1 as expected.

I genuinely think it’s a mistake in the fare finder unless anyone can advise further. Would it be worth getting in contact with tfl to alert them to this?

 

[yorkie]

I thought it could be because of more expensive line but on the TFL journey planner, using just tube and overground it’s still showing more expensive to avoid zone 1, therefore I don’t think it’s the line. It’s not using Elizabeth line, national rail, thameslink ect.

I’ve had a look and the journey from one stop up the line at Brent Cross (still zone 3) to Cheshunt which shows the fare to be cheaper avoiding zone 1 as expected.

I genuinely think it’s a mistake in the fare fine unless anyone can advise further. Would it be worth getting in contact with tfl to alert them to this?

I'm not familiar with the data, but do you think the cheaper fare or the higher fare is the mistake?

Its rare for higher fares to be reduced in my experience, but not at all uncommon for cheaper fares to be increased.

I would only contact TfL if I was certain there was no risk of the lower priced fare going up.

@MikeWh will know, I am sure

 

[Tetchytyke]

Could it be an error in the fare finder as you can see in the screenshot that it says the alternative fare is zones 1-8, even though it’s telling you to avoid zone 1?

Looks like it, looks as though the default fare is via zone 2 but the 'not via zone 1' fare is actually treating you as though you go through zone 1.

The screenshot isn't from the official TfL site, it is from @MikeWh 's website, but the official single fare finder gives the same prices (as you would expect!)

 

[Haywain]

Given that the reversed journey has the fares as would be expected, with the cheaper fare requiring the pink reader touch in, I would agree that it look to be an error. I think that @MikeWh would agree that there is no logic to requiring the pink readers to be used to pay a higher fare.

 

[MikeWh]

That is definitely an error. The fares are the wrong way round. Stations either side of Golders Green and either side of Cheshunt are all correct, so it must just be a glitch on that one flow in that direction.

I would imagine you'll be charged the lower fare if you go via zone 1, until they fix it.

Edit: reported to TfL. Not sure if they can fix it in time for March, but we'll see.

 

[Techno875]

Thanks all for your responses, and glad it’s been reported so can be amended.

If I actually did the journey do you think it would charge this incorrect fare, or is it just an error on the fare finder not affecting the charging in reality?

 

[MikeWh]

If I actually did the journey do you think it would charge this incorrect fare, or is it just an error on the fare finder not affecting the charging in reality?

Experience says that you will be charged the fare shown on the fare finder, so go via zone 1 to Cheshunt until it is fixed.

 

[Techno875]

Experience says that you will be charged the fare shown on the fare finder, so go via zone 1 to Cheshunt until it is fixed.

Ok thank you