On Nov 13, 11:45 am, wrote:
On Nov 13, 11:27 am, Mizter T wrote:

On 13 Nov, 10:04, wrote:

So, will the arrival of zones 7-9 make it harder for out-of-boundary
stations to get into zone 6?

Jonn

Nothing is clear as of yet with regards to that change. It is possible
that zones 7-9 will just cover the Metropolitan line zones A-D - i.e.
there will no longer be zones A-D, but 7-9 instead (obviously with
some rationalisation).

That would seem a little eccentric, wouldn't it? The change must
surely be happening with one eye on bringing more stations in,
otherwise it's a lot of expense for a purely cosmetic change.

However there is, I suppose, the possibility that zones 7-9 will be
available for those TOCs who wish to opt-in to the Oyster PAYG system
- such as c2c is doing by summer next year - see:
http://www.c2c-online.co.uk/templates/NewsArticle.aspx?id=668

This is just pure speculation however, not least because TOCs on one
side of London may well want to set different prices to TOCs on the
other side.

The only other thought I cam up with is that the current A-D lettered
zones are being got rid of so that letters can be used in a different
way in new Home Counties zones - e.g. the Met line will have zones 7M,
8M and 9M, whilst c2c out to Grays might use 7G and 8G. This is purely
a product of my imagination though!

That's not a bad idea. It would allow TOCs to keep some control over
fares, while giving out of towners some of the benefits of the
travelcard system.

If anyone does have any knowledge of this upcoming change to zones 7-9
please do feel free to share it!

Quite.

Jonn

When I bought my ticket from Harrow & Wealdstone this morning, there
was a tube map stuck to the top of the machine with zones 7, 8 and 9
shown on it. It was relatively small though, and there was a queue, so
all I managed to see was what was already confirmed, namely that Hatch
End is in 6, Carpenders Park in 7, Bushey and Watford HS in 8, and
Watford Junction in 9. I still think it's almost criminal that zone 6
is so narrow around those parts...Carpenders Park should be in 6, if
indeed not Bushey as Moor Park and West Ruislip somehow manage it.

I'll see if I can spot anything else of use this evening.