asdf wrote:
On 25 Aug 2005 03:24:34 -0700, "Paul"
wrote:

if you are using an Oyster travelcard it's better to get a paper
travelcard, otherwise you don't get the discount.

What discount?

On NR you can get discounts on season ticket renewals if the train
company you buy the ticket from performs badly. (You don't have to
actually use it on their trains to receive the discount.)

Exactly. Which is why there is no incentive for me to get an Oyster
travelcard!

South West Trains (don't know about other TOCs) now give the discount
on Oyster travelcards, provided you buy it from them.

I think it's only SWT and Silverlink that issue Oyster cards (and sell
tickets to be loaded to Oyster cards), though only at some stations.

I understand Silverlink issues Oyster at it's stations served by the
Bakerloo line, which makes a lot of sense.

I've heard SWT issues Oyster at Surbiton but I'd like to know where
else this happens. (AIUI all the Oyster issuing SWT stations are in the
zones as you can't get any out-of-London Travelcard seasons on Oyster,
only on printed tickets.)

I reckon SWT was possibly losong some of it's sales to TfL outlets as
it's passengers wanted to take advantage of the benefits of Oyster/
wanted to have the flashy new Oyster card.

Can anyone name any other NR TOCs that issue Oyster?

Incidentally, which are the best (i.e. worst performing!) train
companies to buy Travelcard seasons from?

Also a question I'd like answered! One could save oneself some money
here, and I'm sure a few people do already.