From Sunday (6th September 2009) Oyster pay as you go passengers on certain routes will need to ‘touch in’ mid journey when they change between services.
Those changing services at Gospel Oak, Gunnersbury, Highbury & Islington, Kensington Olympia, Rayners Lane, Stratford, West Brompton, Willesden Junction and Blackhorse Road will now need to touch their cards on new pink ‘Oyster Route Validators’ to ensure those who have avoided Zone 1 aren’t charged too much for their journey.
Transport for London say the changes are part of an upgrade that will enable the roll out of pay as you go on National Rail services in London from January 2010.
TfL advises that avoiding travelling through Zone 1 by changing services at these stations could reduce fares. Example journeys include:
Watford Junction to Richmond – £7 peak and £4 off-peak via Zone 1, cut to £3.50 and £1.10 respectively by changing trains at Willesden Junction
Peak fares from Wembley Central to Canary Wharf via Zone 1 can be cut from £2.80 to £2 by changing services at Willesden Junction.
Shashi Verma, Director of Fares and Ticketing at Transport for London said: “By touching the pink reader en route – in addition to touching in and out at either end of your journey – you will be charged the appropriate Oyster single fare for your journey based on the route you take. In doing so, some passengers may actually get cheaper fares.”
Ro says
And to think I had the idea that Oyster was meant to simplify travelling around London.
Gemma says
This is going to be massively confusing unless you are a regular commuter on these journeys. If you want people to avoid zone 1, shout about it. And give us better, accessible advice on routes at stations.