Tube strike: Oyster ‘not being accepted on all routes’

Oyster pay as you go users faced confusion this morning after one of London’s mainline rail services contradicted Transport for London and City Hall statements that the card would be accepted on “all Greater London National Rail services”.

Earlier this week London Mayor Boris Johnson announced the card would be accepted on mainline services in the event of strike action by the RMT. That message has been repeated by the capital’s media, however a press release issued yesterday by Southeastern trains says the carrier “has agreed to accept valid tickets for the Underground – both paper tickets and Oyster Pay As You Go – on services that mirror Tube routes on our network.”

The release continues:

“during the strike we will accept London Underground passes (including Oyster PAYG) during the strike on the following routes only:

* Brixton to Victoria
* Elephant and Castle to Blackfriars / City Thameslink
* London Bridge to London Cannon Street / Waterloo East / Charing Cross

Outside these routes the usual ticket restrictions and Penalty Fares will be applicable as normal.”

Currently Transport for London’s website states: “Oyster Pay As You Go will be accepted on all National Rail journeys within Greater London on Wednesday and Thursday, just show your Oyster card at station gate lines.”

The acceptance of Oyster pay as you go was was also referred to in a Transport for London press release issued this morning which quotes Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy promising: “Oyster Pay As You Go will also be accepted all National Rail services within Greater London “