Oyster Price Capping

[whole diary]

[Brucey]

I'm not sure how TfL^» (Transport for London - about) apply price capping when a mixture of peak and off-peak journeys are made.

I need to make one journey in the morning peak (^1.90) then several during the day (all Zone 1).

With a railcard, the off-peak single is ^1.25 and caps at ^4.40.

But if I make a single morning peak journey, will it still cap the off-peaks at ^4.40 still or let me keep going until I get to ^8?

[JayMac]

Oyster^▸ (Smartcard system used by passengers on Transport for London services) should always work out the cheapest option for you, so if you only make one peak journey you will cap at the off peak rate plus that one journey if that combination is cheaper than the peak cap.

From the TfL^» (Transport for London - about) website:

Oyster will work out the cheapest Oyster fare for you. For example, it might charge you an off-peak cap plus a peak single fare if that's cheaper than a peak cap for all your journeys in a single day.

[Brucey]

Hmm, a transport company automatically offering the cheapest combination of fares

Thank you BNM

[JayMac]

Hmm, a transport company automatically offering the cheapest combination of fares

Thank you BNM

Yes, that one surprised me. Before checking, I'd assumed that if you made a journey in the peak your Daily Price Cap would be at the peak rate. Guess, like you, I'm a bit jaded by National Rail fares and assumed TfL^» (Transport for London - about) would be the same.

Nice to see that you now get railcard discounts on Underground single fares as well as the price caps if you've got a railcard loaded onto your Oyster^▸ (Smartcard system used by passengers on Transport for London services).

[eightf48544]

Where I believe Oyster^▸ (Smartcard system used by passengers on Transport for London services) can get complicated if you put a peak Heavy Rail (Non TFL^▸ (Transport for London))journey on your card what does it cap it at then?

[ChrisB]

The daily Travelcard cap.

[Brucey]

Another question if someone knows the answer...

How much credit is needed on the card to pass through the barrier?  The TfL^» (Transport for London - about) website says something like the maximum fare is deducted and then the difference refunded at the end of the journey.  Does that mean I always need at least ^7ish on the card or can I have less (e.g. ^2 credit left to make a journey of ^1.90)?

[JayMac]

I've used my Oyster^▸ (Smartcard system used by passengers on Transport for London services) when it's had as little as ^3 on it.

[Tim]

I've used my Oyster^▸ (Smartcard system used by passengers on Transport for London services) when it's had as little as ^3 on it.

so what would have happened if you had exited a station more than ^3 further away?  Would you have got "done"?

[eightf48544]

The daily Travelcard cap.

Thanks Chris B.

[JayMac]

I've used my Oyster^▸ (Smartcard system used by passengers on Transport for London services) when it's had as little as ^3 on it.

so what would have happened if you had exited a station more than ^3 further away?  Would you have got "done"?

Probably. But then that's personal responsibility. As I was only making two off peak Zone 1 journeys that day, I knew I didn't need to faff around topping up.

[Tim]

Probably. But then that's personal responsibility.

I agree, but it is a bit harsh.  Do most epopel check tehir Oyster^▸ (Smartcard system used by passengers on Transport for London services) balance before starting a journey?



Edited to fix quote. BNM.

[Deltic]

You can set up an auto-top up so when the balance falls below a certain level, it is topped up automatically from your bank account.  I think the minimum level has been increased recently from ^5 to ^8 because of the increase in fares.

[Brucey]

Do most epopel check tehir Oyster^▸ (Smartcard system used by passengers on Transport for London services) balance before starting a journey?

Doesn't the small screen display the card's balance when touching in/out?  I never pay much attention to it and I doubt most people do.

[JayMac]

Yep, your balance is displayed when you touch-in. So if it's too low for your intended journey you have an opportunity to rectify the situation. Not sure how you go about doing that though after you've touched in.

Some locations have fares windows rail side and I guess at others it would be a case of asking a gateline staffer to let you back out. Of course you have to notice your balance, it only flashes up briefly.

Aside from all that, the responsibility lies with the passenger to ensure they have sufficient funds on their Oyster^▸ (Smartcard system used by passengers on Transport for London services) for their intended journey(s). The excuse of not knowing your balance is unlikely to hold much sway with Rev Pro.