On 16 Feb, 17:40, wrote:

On 16 Feb, 17:17, Mizter T wrote:

Getting on to Oyster customer service centre about this might be a
good idea, as it could increase the chances of it being dealt with.
I'd actually be tempted to write a very short letter asking why
Shepherd's Bush (LO/ WLL) to Stratford journeys are being charged like
this.

The Oyster CSC contact details are he
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/contact/4417.a...Service_Centre

Mizter T,
I emailed Customer Services last Wednesday asking them about my
forthcoming journey on the Saturday and whether I would be entitled to
the z2-6 cap if travelling from Shepherd's Bush ( nll/wll/lo) and
thereby avoiding z1. Unfortunately, it was wishful thinking that *I
would get a reply by Saturday morning. However, I've sent them another
email regarding Saturday's journeys and asked if I am entitled to any
refund. Having not transgressed into z1 I personally feel that I do
have a good case, however, I fear that carefully worded rules /
conditions of travel in the *Oyster fares "handbook" will conspire
against me !


The crucial phrase is on page 5 of the TfL Fares and tickets booklet:
"Some journeys are defined as requiring travel via Zone 1 and will be
charged and capped accordingly, irrespective of the actual route
taken."

In other words, they've got their back covered on this issue!

My thinking was less about the possibility of getting you and others a
refund each time this happens, more about getting TfL to change the
system so it doesn't happen at all.

I'd think that until the upcoming comprehensive PAYG system upgrade
there will continue to be a problem about a Greenford to Stratford
journey. However, it seems to me that the problem of a Shepherd's Bush
(LO/ WLL) to Stratford journey being assumed to be via-z1 could be
rectified fairly easily.

However it couldn't be done overnight. I think it would have to be
included in the next set of data sent out as an update across the
Oyster system. The question is whether the next update is in fact the
major PAYG system upgrade (which AIUI is essentially being so the
whole system can cope with the start of Oyster PAYG acceptance across
NR in London).

Re the letter thing - I have this notion that letters sometimes
receive better consideration than electronic communications. However,
if you were to actually pursue a refund then this might get the wheels
turning faster.

That said, it might be a known issue and already on the list to be
dealt with. I must admit I'd be rather gobsmacked if they actually
replied to you and said this though!


----------
[1] TfL Fares and tickets booklet (PDF):
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloa...s-zones1-6.pdf