In message
,
Sunil Sood writes

Does anyone know of a website which is able to calculate whether using
PAYG Oyster or an annual Travelcard is better value for an individual?

I don't, but I can't see how PAYG would ever be cheaper than an annual
Travelcard for somebody making the same journey for 5 days a week
throughout most of the year. Although there is a big up-front payment,
with interest rates at their current low levels I suspect that an annual
travel card will always be cheaper - and, of course, it can also be used
for shopping or leisure trips at any time without additional cost.

The advantage of PAYG is for occasional travellers, part-time workers,
those that often wish to go beyond their Travelcard zones, tourists, and
the like.
--
Paul Terry

On Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:07:52 +0000, Paul Terry wrote:
In message
,
Sunil Sood writes

Does anyone know of a website which is able to calculate whether using
PAYG Oyster or an annual Travelcard is better value for an individual?

I don't, but I can't see how PAYG would ever be cheaper than an annual
Travelcard for somebody making the same journey for 5 days a week
throughout most of the year.

It used to be for me. Zone 4 into zone 1 at 2.80 each way, 5 days a
week for 46 weeks a year (bank holidays and 4 weeks annual leave) is
1288 rather than 1472 for an annual travel card.

In 2010 PAYG increases to 1426 which makes it close enough that a
travelcard is worth it for the added flexibility.

David

David Walters wrote

On Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:07:52 +0000, Paul Terry wrote:

Sunil Sood writes
Does anyone know of a website which is able to calculate whether
using
PAYG Oyster or an annual Travelcard is better value for an
individual?

I don't, but I can't see how PAYG would ever be cheaper than an
annual
Travelcard for somebody making the same journey for 5 days a week
throughout most of the year.

It used to be for me. Zone 4 into zone 1 at 2.80 each way, 5 days a
week for 46 weeks a year (bank holidays and 4 weeks annual leave) is
1288 rather than 1472 for an annual travel card.

In 2010 PAYG increases to 1426 which makes it close enough that a
travelcard is worth it for the added flexibility.

So any such website would need an estimate of your normal travel plus
how often you took a bus rather than walking (£1.00 extra) plus how
often you left for work after 9:30 or started your journey home after
19.00 (£0.60 less for each - overtime or shifts or after work evening
shopping). Best case would reduce 1288 to 1012 for comparison with the
annual 1472.

--
Mike D

On Dec 30, 7:07*pm, Paul Terry wrote:

Does anyone know of a website which is able to calculate whether using
PAYG Oyster or an annual Travelcard is better value for an individual?

I don't, but I can't see how PAYG would ever be cheaper than an annual
Travelcard for somebody making the same journey for 5 days a week
throughout most of the year.

As David indicates - even for regular travellers - the difference
between a PAYG Oyster and an annual Travelcard can be stacked in
favour of PAYG especially if one leaves work outside the 4:30pm-7pm
window (thus benefiting from off-peak prices) and/or your annual leave
is taken into account.

I gather for 2010 most annual Travelcard prices have been frozen,
while PAYG fares are going up.. - which may well alter which is the
best value for any particular individual..

Regards
Sunil