Page 2 | Why can't you use the oyster system to tap in and out every where?

londontostansted · 2024-06-08T18:18:09+00:00

Just that really? Why don't they want us to tap in and out?

ADHDHDHDHD · 08/06/2024 22:57

HelenHen · 08/06/2024 22:40

Can someone please explain to an outsider how it works. Do I tap my debit card on the way in, and again on the way out, and it charges me the correct fare?

I was in a London suburb a few months back with a friend and we couldn't figure out how to buy tickets. I felt so old 😂

Make sure you use exactly the same card for both ends of the journey.

HelenHen · 08/06/2024 22:56

Needmorelego · 08/06/2024 22:52

@HelenHen yes if you are in the London zones and you tap at the beginning of the journey and out again at the end the system works out which fare to charge you at the end of the day.
There's price caps for the different zones so you stop getting charged after a certain amount if you are doing lots of journeys in one day and you only pay that amount.
Buses/trams are a flat fare so you only tap when you get on.
Every journey is added up and you are charged whatever it is at the end of the day.

Thank you so much. That's really helpful. I think we kinda figured out it was something like that by the end of our day there, but it was too late then. Signs would have been helpful 😂

Needmorelego · 08/06/2024 22:52

@HelenHen yes if you are in the London zones and you tap at the beginning of the journey and out again at the end the system works out which fare to charge you at the end of the day.
There's price caps for the different zones so you stop getting charged after a certain amount if you are doing lots of journeys in one day and you only pay that amount.
Buses/trams are a flat fare so you only tap when you get on.
Every journey is added up and you are charged whatever it is at the end of the day.

HelenHen · 08/06/2024 22:40

Can someone please explain to an outsider how it works. Do I tap my debit card on the way in, and again on the way out, and it charges me the correct fare?

I was in a London suburb a few months back with a friend and we couldn't figure out how to buy tickets. I felt so old 😂

rabbitorhare · 08/06/2024 22:26

This would be fantastic actually if it worked for all public transport. My local ferry company can't even regulate fares between the two ports and their online ticket option unfortunately, so I can't see them ever being able to make something like this work successfully!

ADHDHDHDHD · 08/06/2024 22:24

londontostansted · 08/06/2024 21:12

Sorry I was on the train when I posted 😂😂

My journey was not on TFL: as I was on an overground but I can tap in and out to broxbourne (beyond the ulez) with my ydebit card (or an oyster) but no further up the line

I didn't ask my question very well
What I am saying is if there are ticket barriers why can't we tap in and not buy a ticket in advance just do it that way.

The IT infrastructure of the train barriers and the train operating companies. They won't invest and won't collaborate.

MrsTerryPratchett · 08/06/2024 22:20

EnglishBluebell · 08/06/2024 22:18

@MrsTerryPratchett I'm not understanding what that picture even means? It's just a circle on a map of the south of England

It's where 50% of the UK population lives. I did say in the next post but should have in the original one.

EnglishBluebell · 08/06/2024 22:18

@MrsTerryPratchett I'm not understanding what that picture even means? It's just a circle on a map of the south of England

Needmorelego · 08/06/2024 22:16

@Talkinpeace yes but the system could still be set up to be universal with one card.
Oyster is pay as you go so you just need to make sure you have enough to cover the payment that's relevant for the journey/bus company you are using.

ThinWomansBrain · 08/06/2024 22:15

I linked my Senior Railcard to my Oyster that way.

If you have a senior railcard, why not get a free travel card?
unless the oyster is for pre 9am

MrsTerryPratchett · 08/06/2024 22:14

That's 50% of the UK population BTW.

MrsTerryPratchett · 08/06/2024 22:13

Talkinpeace · 08/06/2024 22:11

Dear Londoners
the rest of the country does not have regulated buses
we have several companies who do not accept each others tickets
and different fare structures

Yes but I'm posting this picture again because everyone asks why things are SE-centric.

We should have a national system, other countries manage it.

Why can't you use the oyster system to tap in and out every where?

Talkinpeace · 08/06/2024 22:11

Dear Londoners
the rest of the country does not have regulated buses
we have several companies who do not accept each others tickets
and different fare structures

MrsTerryPratchett · 08/06/2024 22:10

The card in South Korea, forgot the name, does taxis, tube, everything travel. Even some other things. It's great.

EnglishBluebell · 08/06/2024 22:09

SocksAndTheCity · 08/06/2024 19:23

Well because it's owned and operated by Transport for London, so to expect it to work in Burkina Faso would be a bit optimistic?

EmpressaurusDeiGatti · 08/06/2024 21:39

Bjorkdidit · 08/06/2024 19:26

Because it takes investment and there's a huge inequality in spend per person across the country. But do people even use Oyster cards any more when you can do the same thing with your debit card?

Edited

I do, because it’s easier for budgeting. I know roughly how much I spend on travel per month & just move the money across after payday.

Needmorelego · 08/06/2024 21:29

@londontostansted Yes it would be more convenient.
Unfortunately as yet the different train companies and systems haven't joined up all their systems.
There is a smart card that covers the south east area so you can beep in from places like Brighton and beep out when you reach London (and the journey in the other direction) but then I don't think you can use it on tfl services.
Currently the idea is there - all the different companies just need to join the dots.

Original poster

londontostansted · 08/06/2024 21:12

Sorry I was on the train when I posted 😂😂

My journey was not on TFL: as I was on an overground but I can tap in and out to broxbourne (beyond the ulez) with my ydebit card (or an oyster) but no further up the line

I didn't ask my question very well
What I am saying is if there are ticket barriers why can't we tap in and not buy a ticket in advance just do it that way.

OP posts:

Needmorelego · 08/06/2024 20:32

A lot of bus and train companies would actually like a "joined up" smart card system throughout the country.
It will take a lot of work because there's different price structures depending on where you are and at the moment the technology isn't there yet.
Most bus companies do take contactless now so when I am in London I use mine instead of an Oyster and I use the same card when I use Stagecoach buses when up in the Midlands.
The difference is London is a set fare regardless of where you are going so you just beep.
Stagecoach I have to actually state if I want a single or a day rider or whatever and they charge the relevant price.

SocksAndTheCity · 08/06/2024 20:30

StrugglingwithIvanhoe · 08/06/2024 20:21

Oh sorry, misunderstood 😅 I've asked my DH who is a ticketing professional about this and he says it's not possible, sorry.

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Well that's what I thought too, but a PP upthread said it was? Maybe they'll come back and clarify 😊

Maybe the OP will come back too and explain what they're whiffling about, but I doubt it 🤔

BatshitCrazyWoman · 08/06/2024 20:27

I have an over 60s Oyster which I have to use to tap in and out with.

StrugglingwithIvanhoe · 08/06/2024 20:21

SocksAndTheCity · 08/06/2024 20:18

Yes, my Oyster card is linked to my Disabled Railcard already; you can sort it easily at any station and that's been the way for years.

I was asking the PP how to link railcards with bank debit/contactless cards because apparently now it can be done via your TfL account, but I can't figure out how

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Oh sorry, misunderstood 😅 I've asked my DH who is a ticketing professional about this and he says it's not possible, sorry.

SocksAndTheCity · 08/06/2024 20:18

StrugglingwithIvanhoe · 08/06/2024 20:11

You have to get it done at a London Underground station by a member of staff. I linked my Senior Railcard to my Oyster that way.

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Yes, my Oyster card is linked to my Disabled Railcard already; you can sort it easily at any station and that's been the way for years.

I was asking the PP how to link railcards with bank debit/contactless cards because apparently now it can be done via your TfL account, but I can't figure out how

Blarn · 08/06/2024 20:12

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 08/06/2024 19:46

I was going to ask that?

And why can't i use my library card in Sainsbury's.

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You want to use your childrens' library card in Sainsburys, that when when you don't return the weekly shop you 'loaned' you will not be liable for a fine. Free shopping!

StrugglingwithIvanhoe · 08/06/2024 20:11

SocksAndTheCity · 08/06/2024 20:03

Well that must be new - it's never been possible before. I don't want hundreds of small transactions on my bank statement anyway, but that's a real step forward

How do you do it using an Oyster account when neither the debit card nor the railcard are anything to do with TfL? I've just been logged into mine and I can't see the option anywhere.

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You have to get it done at a London Underground station by a member of staff. I linked my Senior Railcard to my Oyster that way.