Lew 1 wrote:
I assume, then, that the new cap comes into force immediately?
Yes, it seems to have done so.

For anyone intending to go through this process, let me just let
you know what my experience of it was today.

First up, West Hampstead Overground station - where the cashier
simply said "I have no idea how to do that, you'll have to go to
the Underground station". And that was that.

So, I toddled off to the underground, and was told that it wasn't
possible. I tried to explain that it was and even showed the
relevant page in the Tickets and Fares leaflet. They still didn't
relent, and after telling me that I would have to hold up everyone
else in the queue while they checked, still refused to do anything
other than sell me a normal travelcard. I argued the point some
more, they did some more phoning, and decided that it *could* be
done, but I would have to get a brand new oyster card to do it.

So, new oyster card in hand (and another £3 deposit paid for the
privilege) they added it on. The whole palava took 15 minutes and
as well as appalling customer service from the staff (who in effect
told the rest of the queue that I was holding them up by being
unreasonable) I was also subject to heckles from other passengers.

Moral of the story? If you want to attempt to add your railcard
onto your oyster be prepared to argue your point, have the relevant
page in the leaflet to hand, have plenty of time to spare - and I
would guess try to use a station with multiple ticket windows.

The Fares and Tickets leaflet says "For full details visit
tfl.gov.uk/fares", but I've failed to find a route to the detailed
information from there except by Googling for it. The page is actually
at
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/faresa...ares/6769.aspx
It does say "You will need to get an Oyster card and have your Railcard
discount concession loaded on it", which sort-of implies that you have
to start from scratch with a new Oyster card.

It claims that you can do this at an LU or LO ticket office, so a double
complaint is justified.

It's not an experience I want to go through again.

In the interests of research, we shall expect a report next year when
you renew the facility!
:-)

--
Richard J.
(to e-mail me, swap uk and yon in address)