On 02/03/2012 11:50, Paul Scott wrote:

"Mizter T" wrote:

Point being, if Crossrail's going to Reading, then TfL will take Oyster
PAYG acceptance with it there - and the GWML operator will have to accept
Oyster PAYG to/from Reading. (Apart from anything else I'd be pretty sure
that DfT Rail would make this a franchise commitment.)

But what will the entry charge (max cash fare) have to rise to -
and will it have to be charged at every PAYG entry barrier?
Could be beyond the practical limit for the current charging model
- but maybe OK with EMV once it is in use...

Single to Reading is currently £20.60 peak, £16.40 off-peak.

Fair point, though the entry charges do currently vary between different
stations (and also vary between peak and off-peak PAYG charging periods).

It's only really possible to fathom out what entry charges apply at
ungated stations, or those with the gates locked open (i.e. know the
balance on your card, touch-in then check balance at a TVM) - though
there are one or two locations with TVMs located within the paid area
(e.g. Stratford). Well, either that or intentionally don't touch-out so
as to get an unresolved journey - a potentially rather expensive way to
sate one's curiosity though!

I can't offer a comprehensive list of examples, but I can say with
certainty that the entry charge isn't £7.80 universally - this TfL page
says "up to £7.80" (which I assume would be the max peak period entry
charge at at least one location - maybe that's what it is at Watford
Junction?).