Oyster 'Record Cards' - no longer required?

[Optimo]

[Apols if in wrong forum]

I renewed my Oyster this morning at a machine, got a monthly Travel Card Z1-3. I was not issued with a printed Record Card, but up until May I think I got one everytime I got a monthly.

I've used the paper Record Card on occasion at NR stations to prove the Oyster validity when staff didn't have Oyster scanners, but this was a good while ago. I assume now all ticket inspectors and all stations from Z1-6 have Oyster reading capabilities so I've no need to worry in future?

Seems like penny pinching as I (and I'm sure others) use the Record Card as a reminder as to when the ticket needs renewed. Crackers.

 

[MikeWh]

Hi,

I think Oyster readers are pretty much universally available now in the London area so you shouldn't need a paper record. If an inspector hasn't got one then he can't prove you're travelling without a valid ticket, which is his problem not yours.

As to checking the expiry date you have a couple of options. The Oyster online website will tell you everything about your card as long as it's registered and linked to your online account. It really is advisable to register if you haven't already as it protects you should your card be lost/stolen/damaged. You can also tell what's on your card at most TVMs, certainly all TfL ones (tube, dlr, overground) and a lot of NR ones as well (I know southeastern ones can do it for definite).

Hope that helps.

 

[Optimo]

Thanks Mike, just feels like LUL are making things more fiddly for passengers to know what they've bought (sometimes I only get Z1-2, sometimes a week, sometimes a monthly), putting onus on passengers to register/check online, or periodically scan at a machine, when previously the ticket details were right there with the card.

I got the sales clerk to print me a record card of sorts - it was (no joke) 20 inches long, just so I could have a printed record of what I'd bought (the receipt from machines tells you nothing useful).

If it wasn't broke...

 

[RJ]

A paper Usage Statement which can be issued from any LUL ticket office should contain that information, in addition some basic details of the last 10 or so journeys you have made. It's issued on a small bit of paper which can be folded and slipped into your ticket wallet if you like. When I get a Usage Statement printed out, it shows that the card has a 16-25 Railcard discount loaded and its expiry date.

Do you use buses at all? The reader tells you zones you have loaded and what date the TKT expires when you validate.

 

[barrykas]

If memory serves, it changed with the May fares round. Record cards are now only issued for Annual Travelcards, as you need them to claim the Gold Card benefits.

Cheers,

Barry

 

[EM2]

I was using monthly Z1-3 on Oyster until about two years ago, and *never* got a Record Card, only when I switched to six-monthly did I get one.