On Sun, 16 Dec 2007 11:35:47 -0800 (PST), Matthew Dickinson
wrote:

I also wonder if any other "quick wins" will be introduced sooner,
such as Clapham Junction to Richmond / Wimbledon on SWT, and
Thameslink stations to Wimbledon on Thameslink.

No idea but it is noticeable that much of the effort is being North of
the Thames at present.

The TfL Board papers say that advance orders have been placed for long
lead time items in advance of there being actual agreement with all
operators. I guess this must refer to validators and readers for gates
and ticket machines plus possibly local site computers and cabling. The
other main issue is the extent to which Oyster retailing is being rolled
out in tandem with PAYG extension. I've lost track of what TOC ticketing
systems can work with Oyster and what the arrangements are these days
but something must have been sorted out even as an interim stage to
allow the extensions that apply from 2/1/08.

My guess would be that the most likely next steps would be extensions
north of the river with FCC on both Thameslink and Great Northern with
One adding in their stations beyond the current LU nodes (Seven Sisters,
Tottenham Hale, Stratford and Walthamstow Central).

It's much more complex south of the river due to multiple operators and
the sheer complexity of routes / service patterns. South Eastern were
reported as being least interested so they well come along last. You
might get parts of SWT done but Southern and FCC probably have to be
done together but then FCC overlaps with South Eastern (a little) too so
it all gets a bit difficult!

Having just perused the London Connections map I noted the interesting
complication that is called Tramlink. This links up various TOC lines
and operates on a completely different charging basis. I wonder how PAYG
is going to deal with that for "through" journeys!
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!