New Oyster Readers at Hayes & Harlington Station

[whole diary]

[CJB666]

After years of campaigning two Oyster^▸ (Smartcard system used by passengers on Transport for London services) readers were installed on platform 1 a few months ago. Platform 1 is being increasingly used at weekends and in the late evenings due to Crossrail works at Airport Junction.

Well the readers were installed - BUT THEY WERE NEVER ACTUALLY CONNECTED.

Unfortunately hundreds (thousands?) of hapless commuters have de-trained at platform 1 and attempted to touch-out. However the new readers have never been connected and so every single person who tried to touch-out in fact did not do so. They would then have incurred a penalty charge for an unresolved journey - every time.

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) was NOT aware of this until emailed a few days ago. There is STILL NO notice on the readers telling customers not to try to use them.

Nice earner for TfL^» (Transport for London - about) and FGW. And pathetic customer service.

[Brucey]

I assume that the light doesn't go green, the reader doesn't beep and the screen is switched off?  That sounds like a good clue that the reader may not be working?

[CJB666]

I assume that the light doesn't go green, the reader doesn't beep and the screen is switched off?  That sounds like a good clue that the reader may not be working?

Correct - but the readers are covered in great plastic bags as though to protect them from the rain - so you can't actually see the display.

Regulars 'in the know' have to go all the way round to the upper-foyer to do a proper 'touch out.' Most, especially tourists, don't. 

[ChrisB]

Surely, being "covered in great plastic bags" is a sure sign that they aren't working?