Student Placement commute in London

[robertbishop]

Hi,

I'm going to be working in London next year from June 2015 to June 2016 as part of my degree, and I'm look for ways to pay for my commute in. I'll be in the Lewisham area, and I'll be going into Charing Cross. As far as tickets go, I gather the best way to do it is by using an 18+ Student Oyster Photocard, which I have to apply for. Then I buy a Zones 1-2 annual travelcard which somehow goes on it, and acts like what I imagine a traditional season ticket does.

Is this the cheapest/best way of doing it?

Do I have to give up my current Oyster card or can I keep it?

Thanks in advance!

Rob

 

[RJ]

It would be cheaper to buy a Lewisham to Charing Cross season ticket. That is £18.90 a week, whereas the Zone 1-2 Travelcard with the 30% discount is £22.15 a week.

That said, you don't say if you'll be requiring buses or the Underground at all - if you do, the Travelcard would be more cost effective. You can have as many Oyster cards as you like, you wouldn't need to give up the one you have now.

 

[Andrew1395]

I think you have to be a resident in Greater London to get a student Oyster card.

 

[CyrusWuff]

I think you have to be a resident in Greater London to get a student Oyster card.

Requirements can be found here. I'd cut and paste, but it's a fairly long list.

Here's a brief summary:

If you're 18 or over, live at a London address, in full-time education, or on a mandatory work placement in London, you may be eligible for an 18+ Student Oyster photocard.

 

[gazthomas]

Lewisham is a London borough

 

[robertbishop]

It would be cheaper to buy a Lewisham to Charing Cross season ticket. That is £18.90 a week, whereas the Zone 1-2 Travelcard with the 30% discount is £22.15 a week.

That said, you don't say if you'll be requiring buses or the Underground at all - if you do, the Travelcard would be more cost effective. You can have as many Oyster cards as you like, you wouldn't need to give up the one you have now.

Thank you very much for that comparison.

I won't be requiring tube/bus on my commute to Charing Cross, no. On the other hand, having the whole of Zones 1-2 included would make it much more flexible. Is the extra £3.25 a week worth it, versus using a normal Oyster for any other travel?

Also, I guess the season ticket would just be a regular paper ticket, rather than a touch in/touch out card?

Thanks!

 

[ASharpe]

I'll just add that it works out slightly cheaper when you buy an annual ticket.

The Zone 1-2 ticket is £896 with the 18+ student oyster (works barriers just like your current oyster)
And the Lewisham to London terminals is £756.

Over 52 weeks that would be ~ £17.20 and £14.50 a week.

 

[telstarbox]

The Travelcard will also give you unlimited buses in Zones 1-6.

 

[dcsprior]

I'll just add that it works out slightly cheaper when you buy an annual ticket.

Indeed. A few questions regarding this:

• What is the pattern of weeks on/off that you're likely to be working? Are you likely to work mainly blocks of at least 28 days, with significant blocks of time not making your typical journey (e.g. holidays, attending courses, etc) or is it likely to be working most weeks with a minimal holiday allowance spread throughout the year?
• Would having to pay for a yearly ticket all in one go be a negative (e.g. would it suit you to pay out a large sum all at once - bearing in mind you may be able to get a season ticket work from your placement employer or college)?
• Would having to queue up at the ticket office every week be a negative?

Also, I guess the season ticket would just be a regular paper ticket, rather than a touch in/touch out card?

Out of interest, why?

I ask as I wonder if you're worried about losing a valuable paper ticket, and prefer one that can be cancelled and replaced without hassle?

 

[IslandDweller]

The work at London Bridge means the service on that route has suffered hiccups, and probably will do all the way to 2018. I think you'd find the flexibility to find different ways home really useful, well worth £3.20 per week.

 

[robertbishop]

Indeed. A few questions regarding this:

What is the pattern of weeks on/off that you're likely to be working? Are you likely to work mainly blocks of at least 28 days, with significant blocks of time not making your typical journey (e.g. holidays, attending courses, etc) or is it likely to be working most weeks with a minimal holiday allowance spread throughout the year?

Five days a week, 9 to 5/6. 25 days of holiday, but can't be certain how it's going to be spread.

Would having to pay for a yearly ticket all in one go be a negative (e.g. would it suit you to pay out a large sum all at once - bearing in mind you may be able to get a season ticket work from your placement employer or college)?

Should be ok, I think I've got enough 'float' to cushion the blow.

Would having to queue up at the ticket office every week be a negative?

Would rather avoid it.

Out of interest, why?

I ask as I wonder if you're worried about losing a valuable paper ticket, and prefer one that can be cancelled and replaced without hassle?

Definitely would be a plus if I can get it cancelled/replaced. Paper tickets of such value seem dangerous.

The work at London Bridge means the service on that route has suffered hiccups, and probably will do all the way to 2018. I think you'd find the flexibility to find different ways home really useful, well worth £3.20 per week.

Good point.

Leaning towards the 18+ Student Oyster with Z1-2 Travelcard. Still willing to be swayed otherwise, or to any other options, though.

Thanks all!

 

[wimbledonpete]

I'd agree that the Travelcard would be a better option - you've only got to consider going out with friends one night a week somewhere in zone 1 or a return trip to the shops on the bus etc etc for that difference to be eaten up. And getting unlimited travel on the buses throughout London (not just in zones 1 and 2) is a real benefit.

 

[bicbasher]

The Travelcard will also give you unlimited buses in Zones 1-6.

And on cross-boundary routes operated by TfL.