Great Western Coffee Shop

From London

https://www.mylondon.news/news/transport/full-list-london-underground-stations-27584387


There is a certain attraction in a fare system where you can simply tap in and tap out ... but also this downside.

It's a very minor downside especially in the context of the convenience of not having to faff about with tickets and knowing that you will pay the minimum fare for the journey you're making, and even if you do forget to tap in/out (as I have once or twice) the refund system is very swift and efficient.

The sooner it's more widely adopted, the better - especially bearing in mind that the majority of ticket offices will be disappearing shortly.

Should be added to the scope of fare simplification.

And what should be the maximum fare for a national journey if you're advocating being able to tap in at Penzance and out at Thurso?

I have absolutely no idea, which is why I suggested it should be placed within the scope of fare simplification.

Trouble is, the more you add to the scope the longer it will take and the less chance there is of it happening.  The government will want to be absolutely sure that any change will be revenue neutral, or ideally revenue positive, and the risk that won't be the case means any simplification will be a long and laborious task. 

The relatively simple change of going to single-leg pricing is currently proceeding at a snails pace.  I guess there might be more impetus should GBR ever get off the ground, but it is unknown what effect a change of government might have.

The good news is that it is now the best time since privatisation for it to happen, as the previous franchise set-up made it virtually impossible.  I guess that's something to be thankful for?  The current set-up is a disaster in virtually ever other respect.