In message , Graham J
writes

However, whenever anyone mentions this, we seem to be dubbed "the
anti-Oyster brigade" by people whose knowledge of travel patterns other
than their own seems somewhat limited.

You think so? It seems to me that most people actually acknowledge this
issue and where heated discussion arises it is where the root of someones
argument is actually, and I paraphrase, "I could use Oyster but I choose not
to".

Well, I choose not to use Oyster because it is more expensive for the
journeys I make within London.

I don't think I am unique, this matter has been raised in the London
Assembly.

Fine by me and most others I've seen contributing on here. However
when the argument is extended to what seems to be little more than "I could
use Oyster but I choose not to, but I don't want to be penalised for that
choice" then that is where a lot of people feel the argument is extremely
weak.

I don't think you *can* choose to use Oyster if part of your journey
within London involves travel on the many TOCs that won't accept Oyster
for occasional journeys.

Am I wrong? Are you saying that I can *choose* to use Oyster for my
occasional journeys from Richmond to Waterloo on SWT?

If I am right, I cannot see the *choice* you mention. I can brandish my
pre-pay Oyster as many times as I like to the inspectors on SWT, but I
will still be given a penalty fare, since the thing is invalid on huge
swathes of London's rail network.

Personally, I am not "anti Oyster" at all - and I don't suppose Colin
is. I just wish the damn thing could actually manage to be as useful as
a daily travel card. Unfortunately it remains useless for occasional
travel on London's suburban rail network.

I totally agree, but I think we should express it differently. It is absence
of Oyster that is the issue. Oyster itself is excellent as far as it goes,
and it has to start somewhere.

Which is why I said I am not "anti-Oyster" - I am just one of the huge
number of people for whom Oyster offers nothing but increased expense.
Until Uncle Ken can address that issue, the take-up of Oyster will
remain limited, and will discriminate (as the London Assembly has
pointed out) against many Londoners who don't rely on TfL for their
entire journey.

--
Paul Terry