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10 Years Without Routemasters

Discussion in 'Everything Else Heritage' started by MrHillingdon, Dec 10, 2015.

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  1. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    You can buy Oyster cards from ticket machines now. I bought one a few months ago.
     
    5944, Dec 15, 2015
    #21
  2. threelinkdave

    threelinkdave Well-Known Member

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    Shock - horror - you can even buy them on line. Even from up here in the midlands.

    We have visitors Oyster cards which have not got an expirity and no auto top up. You top up at ticket machines or even believe it or not at many Network Rail station booking offices within the TFL area e.g. Crystal Palace
     
    threelinkdave, Dec 15, 2015
    #22
  3. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    You buy them or top up from the machine using credit or debit card.
     
    Johnb, Dec 15, 2015
    #23
  4. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    I may be wrong but I think it's only at joint TfL and NW Rail Stations, Crystal Palace is on the Overground. The Oyster system doesn't suit every type of travel though, I went to London to photographer the steam on the Met and spent half a day on the Hammersmith and City without tapping out and my card was debited with £16.50. I think the system makes up some journeys. I wrote to TfL and I eventually got a credit of £14.00.
    It's a very convenient way to travel, if I go to London now it's usually 25 mile road trip to Stanmore and on the Underground. Much cheaper than using the overpriced Mainline rail service.
     
    Last edited: Dec 15, 2015
    Johnb, Dec 15, 2015
    #24
  5. threelinkdave

    threelinkdave Well-Known Member

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    We use two campsites in London, Crystal Palace and Abbey Wood. Whilst CP is on the Overground Abbey Wood isnt. In any case you use Oyster on both Southern and South Eastern services to London when the station is within Tfl so top up must be available. I presume SW is the same but dont often travel that direction
     
    threelinkdave, Dec 15, 2015
    #25
  6. nanstallon

    nanstallon Part of the furniture

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    Buying one is the first step - it seems complicated when you use them, having to click on and off. I've heard some horror tales.
     
    nanstallon, Dec 15, 2015
    #26
  7. goldfish

    goldfish Nat Pres stalwart

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    I did not know that! Would have been useful this morning…

    Simon
     
    goldfish, Dec 15, 2015
    #27
  8. goldfish

    goldfish Nat Pres stalwart

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    Really?
     
    goldfish, Dec 15, 2015
    #28
  9. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    On one forum I frequent, posts regarding Oyster woes are not uncommon.
     
    Spamcan81, Dec 15, 2015
    #29
  10. goldfish

    goldfish Nat Pres stalwart

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    I'm generally a travelcard user so maybe I have a different experience.

    Simon
     
    goldfish, Dec 15, 2015
    #30
  11. threelinkdave

    threelinkdave Well-Known Member

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    One of the aleged horror stories relates to having too many cards in a wallet and the out reader looking at the wrong one. The scenario is IN reader sees oystercard. OUT reader sees barclaycard and both cards may get charged for same journey with a fail to swipe out penalty on the Oyster. Moral of tale - keep the Oyster separeate.

    The other issue I have heard is rushing the swipe in or out. The answer is bugger the que behind and make sure the card was read
     
    threelinkdave, Dec 15, 2015
    #31
  12. 99Z

    99Z Guest

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    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 29, 2015
    99Z, Dec 15, 2015
    #32
  13. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    Does anyone remember the old technology of change machines on the Underground? I Once put two bob coin in one pressed the button and won the jackpot when the machine just kept on chucking out tanner coins, never seen so many LT staff suddenly appear from nowhere. They didn't last long, I wonder why.

    Translation for the youthful: two bob = 10p tanner = 2.5p
     
    Johnb, Dec 15, 2015
    #33
  14. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    It's more complicated than cash particularly to someone who is in London once every Preston guild and has never seen an Oysten card!
     
    RalphW, Dec 17, 2015
    #34
  15. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    Very easy really it looks and works like a preloaded debit card, you can recharge it with your hard earned cash and check how much is left on it at Underground stations or some newsagents. Much easier than queuing up at booking offices or having the right change for ticket machines.
     
    Johnb, Dec 17, 2015
    #35
  16. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    I avoid all that nonsense by travelling in by train on a Travel Card. Excellent value for money at a weekend with my senior citizen card discount off of the super saver fare.
     
    Spamcan81, Dec 17, 2015
    #36
  17. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    John, I think you misunderstood me, I know what it is but as I said, having to get one is just another inconvenience for one visit ever 20 years, and yes it's an age thing....
     
    RalphW, Dec 17, 2015
    #37
  18. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    Sorry wasn't trying to be patronising just thought you weren't familiar with the system.
     
    Johnb, Dec 17, 2015
    #38
  19. Victor

    Victor Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    Mrs V has had an Oyster card on auto top up for many years now, I use contactless debit card. Suits us very well, never ever had to queue and buy a ticket. We've never had any problems. That said I'm not sure about the debit card and the max. daily Oyster card charge. Would the max. daily charge be applied on the debit card? I doubt it.
     
    Victor, Dec 17, 2015
    #39
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