"Tom Barry" wrote in message
...
pg123 wrote:
It's too much to expect someone has to learn a different set of rules for
different stations, lines and modes of transport.

What, two sets of rules? If it's a train, touch in/touch out, if it's a
bus or tram, touch in.

Depends on the train. Some stations have Oyster machines but you're not
supposed to use them.

Given the complexities of modern life anyone who
can operate a remote control should have no difficulty there. My five
year old manages it fine.

You touch in and out on trains but not on buses. What do I do if I'm on
the platform of a station without barriers and can't remember if I
touched in?

What about it? There's a very minor price to pay for the convenience, and
it's in actually learning the rather simple way the system operates. I'd
love that kind of problem at my local SWT station where I'm more likely to
be worrying if the ticket machine is working or if there's sufficient time
to get a ticket before the next train. The mere requirement to remember
to touch in is far less hassle.

And when I have to abort a journey due to "severe
delays", there is fat chance of getting my money back. The Oyster has
disadvantages as well as advantages.

No worthwhile improvement has no downsides. Railways themselves had
plenty of negative press in the early days, but after a while no one talks
seriously about the mortal dangers of a velocity of 30mph or more being
attained. Then there's the success of the underground despite the
original one being quite unpleasantly smoky. People put up with it and it
improved over time. The bendy bus debate is stuck in 2005 for the same
reason - in 2009 they're a settled, integral part of the transport system.
So are Oyster cards.

Tom