On 14 May 2006 03:53:48 -0700, "
wrote:

Hi,

I asked the oystercard people if it was possible to set the top up
threshold higher than £5. I mainly use buses, live a mile from a tube
station and the local newsagent charges 80p for an Oyster top up.
Their response was:

"
Please be advised that unfortunately it is not possible to change this
to £10, however if you know that your card is below £5 and want to
top it up you can go to an underground station and swipe your card on
the yellow readers and it will top up, you do not have to make a
journey.

If you are not making a journey you will be charged a small fee however
this can be refunded from the ticket desk.
"

How much is the "small fee" for topping up? What advantages does this
have over just going to the ticket desk? Anyways I don't live near
enough to a tube station for this to be an option.

A few comments :-

a) Since when did newsagents have the right to charge passengers
for topping up? They get paid a commission per transaction *by TfL* so
have no need whatsoever to charge the passenger. I would formally
complain about this as this is a scam by the newsagent.

b) Heaven help the poor passenger is the Oyster unhelpful desk can
only provide half an answer. I assume that what they mean is that when
you swipe to top up the gate also deducts the minimum fare at the start
of the journey - the ticket office would have to cancel this charge.

c) There is absolutely no advantage at all of using the gate if you
are not otherwise travelling by Tube. If you solely need to top up then
go to the machine or window - assuming the ticket office is open.
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!