London Banter - View Single Post

Paul Corfield · May 13th 06, 09:07 AM posted to uk.transport.london

On Sat, 13 May 2006 09:16 +0100 (BST), (Colin
Rosenstiel) wrote:

In article ,
(Richard J.) wrote:

Colin Rosenstiel wrote:
In article ,
(Richard J.) wrote:

Do you wait until you've completely run out of cash before looking
around for an ATM? At least with Oyster, you have the option of
an auto top-up if forward planning is so difficult for you.

AIUI you only have the auto or web top-up option if you use a single
regular tube station. Lots of people don't do that.

You need to use the Tube or DLR for the auto top-up to work, as it
won't top up on a bus or tram. AFAIK it will work at any Tube or DLR
station. I think I had to specify the station where Auto Top-Up would
be registered on my Oyster, but that was just an initial set-up
requirement.

Not what's been said here. Not that auto-top-up would work for a user as
irregular as me.

Auto top up is driven by the level of remaining balance not location so
it would work for occasional users as well as regular ones. In fact you
could argue it is more beneficial for occasional users as it removes the
need to consider specially searching a ticket window or machine. This is
a quote from the Oyster website.

"You can set up an Auto top-up account online so that whenever the
balance for pay as you go on your Oyster card falls below £5, it is
topped up automatically. This can only be done at Tube and DLR stations.
Auto top-up is not currently available on buses. "

I understand auto top up on bus is being developed which will be a good
thing as a current scam seems to be to have a card with no value and
then plead with the driver to be allowed to travel.

For Travelcard auto reloading the situation is as follows :-

"Please note, you can only renew your Travelcard or top up your Oyster
card online or by phone if you are able to collect it from a Tube or DLR
station. You will need to nominate which Tube or DLR station you want to
collect it from. Place your order before 2300 and you can pick it up the
following morning. Simply touch your Oyster card on the card reader (not
the ticket machines at Tube stations) and your order will be added to
your Oyster card. "
--
Paul C

Admits to working for London Underground!