I was recently doing a lot of London Underground journeys with a pay as
you go adult Oyster card which is registered without automatic top-up.
As I entered the system, I noticed a red message flash by. When I took
time to look, I saw it said "Seek Assistance" and did so. A Customer
Service Assistant told me it was a code 94 error which means "Card comms
failed" but was unable to enlighten me on the reasoning for giving this
error which does not prevent the gate from opening. I got a delayed,
non-responsive, allegedly confidential answer from Customer Services.
I also asked for a list of responses and was told none was published.
I thought "Freedom of Information". Google turned out to be quicker and
I found a list at
http://groups.google.com/group/uk.tr...thread/thread/
1129556cecc35169/39d9557e8057792f?lnk=st&q=&rnum=7#39d9557e8057792f

Their are suggestions a 94 is the result of waving a card over the
reader rather than placing it.

Can anyone here shed light on the logic behind displaying this code -
and others which do not result in card rejection? They seem to me to do
nothing more than frighten the customer without cause. The fear is of
being stuck beyond walking range without cash as a backup.
--
Walter Briscoe