Tapping in/out. A cautionary tale.

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

I travelled up to London Waterloo this morning, 29th October 2021. Ultimate destination was Oxford Circus.

On leaving my train at Waterloo I headed straight to the Underground from the entrance on the mainline platform. I followed the signs for the Bakerloo line and when I reached my first gateline I assumed I was entering the Underground so I tapped my Oyster^▸ (Smartcard system used by passengers on Transport for London services).

A little discombobulated when I found another gateline blocking my progress to the Bakerloo. Tapped my Oyster again and discovered I had no credit left.

Turns out I'd tapped out at a National Rail barrier with my Oyster. I should have scanned my National Rail e-ticket. A quick discussion with TfL^» (Transport for London - about) staffer and I learnt I'd been charged the maximum fare for an uncompleted Oyster journey.

No great hassle though. A call to TfL and I was refunded within 20 minutes.

Lesson learnt. That's twice this week I've been caught out with ticketing errors. Losing my touch. 

[eightonedee]

There's a lot to be said for credit card sized bits of card you can glance at and see what it's for before you push them into the slot.......!

[bobm]

Lesson learnt. That's twice this week I've been caught out with ticketing errors. Losing my touch. 

..and that's before he went to the pub.

[paul7575]

There’s possibly a case for better signage at that particular gateline.  Maybe “Exit from National Rail” as a prominent banner type sign above it.  I’m assuming the gate you used would have had a green arrow?

I think it’s more obvious when you do the same journey Offpeak and have to go via the main concourse gateline where it’s immediately obvious you’re not entering the underground yet.

Paul

[JayMac]

There’s possibly a case for better signage at that particular gateline.  Maybe “Exit from National Rail” as a prominent banner type sign above it.  I’m assuming the gate you used would have had a green arrow?

I think it’s more obvious when you do the same journey Offpeak and have to go via the main concourse gateline where it’s immediately obvious you’re not entering the underground yet.

Paul

Agree. I'm pretty clued up, but was still caught out. Big, prominent 'Exit from National Rail' sign and I may well have used the correct ticket.

And yes. It's been many years since I arrived in Waterloo early doors and the platform entrances to the Underground were open. Pretty sure the last time I used one such entrance there were no National Rail barriers.

[paul7575]

There’s possibly a case for better signage at that particular gateline.  Maybe “Exit from National Rail” as a prominent banner type sign above it.  I’m assuming the gate you used would have had a green arrow?

I think it’s more obvious when you do the same journey Offpeak and have to go via the main concourse gateline where it’s immediately obvious you’re not entering the underground yet.

Paul

Agree. I'm pretty clued up, but was still caught out. Big, prominent 'Exit from National Rail' sign and I may well have used the correct ticket.

And yes. It's been many years since I arrived in Waterloo early doors and the platform entrances to the Underground were open. Pretty sure the last time I used one such entrance there were no National Rail barriers.

There was quite a big project to improve and widen the west end of the peak hour subway about the same time as the main gatelines were installed. About 2011 maybe?  Previously I think there were various openings with steps down to the slightly lower LU passageway near the Waterloo & City station, I think they were bypassed and you now have to use another gateline. 

I’ve never found an accurate diagram of it all at that level. I noticed new steps were added at the platform 1-4 end during the 2017 work, they now face outward towards the platform end to avoid a u-turn.

Paul