On Tue, 30 May 2006 21:21:34 +0100, Richard
wrote:

On Sun, 28 May 2006 11:08:44 +0100, Paul Corfield
wrote:
I understand that for bus trips only a positive cash balance is required
and the full fare is deducted on entry. Obviously there is not a
graduated system of fares by distance and no exit checking so this is
the only way the bus system can work. You can therefore have 10p on
your card and make a 80p charge thus leaving your card with a negative
balance of 70p.

I know you understand the system a lot better than most of us, Paul,
but I'm *sure* that I've seen a pre-pay Oyster rejected on the bus
because it only had 50p on it. It would make sense, wouldn't it, to
require = 80p?

I think it might be pushing it to say I understand it better simply
because I don't have to use public tickets on Oyster. I therefore don't
have the hassle factor that the public have to deal with. I have
searched in vain for information on whether there are publicised minimum
balances that have to be on the card before using it. Not unsurprisingly
there is no public information on "ask oyster", the "oyster guide" or
the "Fares and Tickets book 2006".

I cannot see why someone needs to have a minimum value of 80p (or £1 in
the AM Peak?) for bus travel. So long as the value is positive there
should not be an issue as there is no exit validation and need for any
further distance based deductions. The issue on the tube is different as
there is the potential for people to be stuck inside a gateline without
the inward check being made - at least that is what I believe the
reasoning is. I'm not saying you are mistaken btw - I can no more
confirm via the web what the situation is than you can which I think is
stupid. There really should be fully comprehensive information made
available - there seems to be a presumption that the public can't cope
with complex information. That may or not be true but the issue is that
the public have to comply with the complex rules so they should be
explained to them clearly.

I'm on holiday at present so I can't check any work sources until next
week but I shall try to do so.
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!