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Oyster communication failure
I've been using my oyster card quite merrily this week until today. This
morning, I swiped the card on a bus and it didn't register. The driver waved me through and I thought it was a faulty machine. Going home from work this evening, I swiped it again on the bus and it still wouldn't register. I thought another faulty machine until the driver called me back. This time I looked at the LCD display and it showed 'Communication Failure'. Try as I might, I couldn't get the card to register. I knew there was credit on my pre-pay card so I couldn't work out what was wrong. I managed to test my oyster card at a ticket stop and they confirmed that my card had died. They told me I had to take it to the Oval to get it swapped. My questions is: Why did the second bus driver talk to my as if I was scum ? I'm not intentionally out to defraud the system. I tried to explain to him that the card was working as far as I know. Why do oyster cards die ? I've looked after it, not sat on it, the card itself still looks pristine. I've had it for about 5 months. How am I going to get to work tomorrow ? I've read on the oyster site that you can take the card to any tube station for a replacement. But living in South London, there aren't any. I can by pay cash to get to work and then get it swapped at a tube station in the City but will the card be functional straight away so I can use it for the trip home ? Will they be able to transfer the credit I had onto it ? Thanks |
Oyster communication failure
?uzzled wrote: I've been using my oyster card quite merrily this week until today. This morning, I swiped the card on a bus and it didn't register. The driver waved me through and I thought it was a faulty machine. Going home from work this evening, I swiped it again on the bus and it still wouldn't register. I thought another faulty machine until the driver called me back. This time I looked at the LCD display and it showed 'Communication Failure'. Try as I might, I couldn't get the card to register. I knew there was credit on my pre-pay card so I couldn't work out what was wrong. I managed to test my oyster card at a ticket stop and they confirmed that my card had died. They told me I had to take it to the Oval to get it swapped. My questions is: Why did the second bus driver talk to my as if I was scum ? I'm not intentionally out to defraud the system. I tried to explain to him that the card was working as far as I know. Why do oyster cards die ? I've looked after it, not sat on it, the card itself still looks pristine. I've had it for about 5 months. How am I going to get to work tomorrow ? I've read on the oyster site that you can take the card to any tube station for a replacement. But living in South London, there aren't any. I can by pay cash to get to work and then get it swapped at a tube station in the City but will the card be functional straight away so I can use it for the trip home ? Will they be able to transfer the credit I had onto it ? Thanks No answer to your question I'm afraid but of course if you abuse staff on the buses or the Underground you will be prosecuted. Does make me wonder sometimes if staff are deliberately abusive knowing that they have this immunity. Kevin |
Oyster communication failure
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Oyster communication failure
Just wonder why the same behaviour expected of the public isn't
expected from the staff. Kevin |
Oyster communication failure
?uzzled wrote: Why did the second bus driver talk to my as if I was scum ? I'm not intentionally out to defraud the system. I tried to explain to him that the card was working as far as I know. Some drivers are like that. Some seem to want to cause you to lose your temper and lash out so they can get compensation when you get taken to court (this isn't just bus drivers - some pub boucers, some securicor security staff at wimbledon, etc. are just as bad How am I going to get to work tomorrow ? I've read on the oyster site that you can take the card to any tube station for a replacement. But living in South London, there aren't any. I can by pay cash to get to work and then get it swapped at a tube station in the City but will the card be functional straight away so I can use it for the trip home ? Will they be able to transfer the credit I had onto it ? I my experience the card should work straight away and have all the stuff from the old one trasfered to it. Be careful though beacuse it is transfered manually - I lost almost a month of travelcard an £12.60 of prepay during a transfer because the chap at the station didn't do his job properly. |
Oyster communication failure
wrote in message oups.com... Just wonder why the same behaviour expected of the public isn't expected from the staff. Kevin Agreed. Working in a support environment, we constantly have to attend customer service training courses. I don't see why bus drivers can't do the same. Surely, we the paying public, pay their wages with our fares, or is London Transport that heavily subsidised that they can say stuff the passengers ? Weren't there figures out a while back saying complaint on the buses were at an all time record high ? |
Oyster communication failure
"Chris!" wrote in message oups.com... How am I going to get to work tomorrow ? I've read on the oyster site that you can take the card to any tube station for a replacement. But living in South London, there aren't any. I can by pay cash to get to work and then get it swapped at a tube station in the City but will the card be functional straight away so I can use it for the trip home ? Will they be able to transfer the credit I had onto it ? I my experience the card should work straight away and have all the stuff from the old one trasfered to it. Be careful though beacuse it is transfered manually - I lost almost a month of travelcard an £12.60 of prepay during a transfer because the chap at the station didn't do his job properly. Took it to a tube station today, initially it wouldn't scan but then he managed to get the card to register on the reader and it showed up the credit amount. Filled in a form, new card issued and credited and that was that. Pretty painless experience. Quite impresssed. |
Oyster communication failure
"?uzzled" wrote in message
... Weren't there figures out a while back saying complaint on the buses were at an all time record high ? Bus drivers are, beyond a doubt, the single most objectionable people working in transport today - if there are any nice ones, I for one have never met them. They are, to a man, crass and pig-ignorant, appalling drivers and lacking in even the most basic social and interpersonal skills. If only they would take as their example some of the terrific station staff working at tube stations - particularly, in my experience, on the District Line - who are tireless in their desire to assist even the dimmest tourist. I envy their patience. Ian |
Oyster communication failure
In message , Ian F.
writes They are, to a man, crass and pig-ignorant, appalling drivers and lacking in even the most basic social and interpersonal skills. Try bus driving for a week, if you don't end up plonking somebody you're either extremely patient or on something. -- Clive |
Oyster communication failure
Ian F. wrote:
If only they would take as their example some of the terrific station staff working at tube stations - particularly, in my experience, on the District Line - who are tireless in their desire to assist even the dimmest tourist. I envy their patience. Wow! I'm going to print that out and frame it!! ;-) -- Kat |
Oyster communication failure
Ian F. wrote to uk.transport.london on Sat, 2 Jul 2005:
"?uzzled" wrote in message ... Weren't there figures out a while back saying complaint on the buses were at an all time record high ? Bus drivers are, beyond a doubt, the single most objectionable people working in transport today - if there are any nice ones, I for one have never met them. I have - but I agree, it's the other kind that leave the bad taste in one's mouth. But you *do* get the kind who will see you running and wait for you.... the snag is, the ones you remember are the kind who see you running and accelerate away! -- "Mrs Redboots" http://www.amsmyth.demon.co.uk/ Website updated 23 May 2005 |
Oyster communication failure
Clive wrote:
Try bus driving for a week, if you don't end up plonking somebody you're either extremely patient or on something. A bit like trying to get child+buggy around on the busses then, eh? #Paul |
Oyster communication failure
On Sat, 2 Jul 2005 13:07:28 +0100, "Ian F."
wrote: "?uzzled" wrote in message ... Weren't there figures out a while back saying complaint on the buses were at an all time record high ? Bus drivers are, beyond a doubt, the single most objectionable people working in transport today - if there are any nice ones, I for one have never met them. They are, to a man, crass and pig-ignorant, appalling drivers and lacking in even the most basic social and interpersonal skills. Painting *everyone* within a category with the same brush is not a very sensible thing to do. In another thread you were happy to distinguish the various types of people you encounter in sunny Peckham. You cannot be serious in your view that all bus drivers are objectionable. If you were to spend 5 minutes thinking about the abuse and stress they have to tolerate then you might be a bit more sympathetic. There are plenty of skilled and polite bus drivers in London - just as there is a minority who do not do their job very well or with good manners. A bit like any group of workers regardless of their occupation. You'll be telling us next that all journalists are lovely people and are not really self serving rat like creatures living in the gossip infested sewers. If only they would take as their example some of the terrific station staff working at tube stations - particularly, in my experience, on the District Line - who are tireless in their desire to assist even the dimmest tourist. I envy their patience. I suggest we put you in a boxing ring with one or two of our LU hating group members and then leave you to knock seven bells out of each other as to which group of transport workers is worst. -- Paul C Admits to working for London Underground! |
Oyster communication failure
"Paul Corfield" wrote in message
... Painting *everyone* within a category with the same brush is not a very sensible thing to do. I did say that *if there are any nice ones, I for one have never met them*, not that there aren't any. In another thread you were happy to distinguish the various types of people you encounter in sunny Peckham. Balham, pur-lease! ;-) You cannot be serious in your view that all bus drivers are objectionable. If you were to spend 5 minutes thinking about the abuse and stress they have to tolerate then you might be a bit more sympathetic. Abuse? From whom? Stress, OK, I agree, it's a pretty stressful job, but that doesn't mean they have to treat passengers with total disdain and look at us as though we've crawled out of the nearest gutter. Have you ever tried asking one of them a simple question, like saying "could you please tell me when we get to []?", just to be met with a glazed-over look and a grunt? There are plenty of skilled and polite bus drivers in London I'm sure there are. It's just that, as I said, I have never met them. You'll be telling us next that all journalists are lovely people and are not really self serving rat like creatures living in the gossip infested sewers. LOL. You're thinking of a different type of journo to me! I suggest we put you in a boxing ring with one or two of our LU hating group members and then leave you to knock seven bells out of each other as to which group of transport workers is worst. Double LOL! How could anyone hate LU? ;-)))) Ian |
Oyster communication failure
Ian F. wrote:
"?uzzled" wrote in message ... Weren't there figures out a while back saying complaint on the buses were at an all time record high ? Bus drivers are, beyond a doubt, the single most objectionable people working in transport today - if there are any nice ones, I for one have never met them. The one who drove the W7 at about midnight from Alexandra Palace, just after a gig finished, and had to tolerate 4000 people trying to get on his bus, did brilliantly. But, yes, he was a diamond among the majority. I wouldn't go as far as your trolling :-), the majority are "alright", some are awful and a tiny number are excellent. |
Oyster communication failure
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Oyster communication failure
Clive wrote:
writes Clive wrote: Try bus driving for a week, if you don't end up plonking somebody you're either extremely patient or on something. A bit like trying to get child+buggy around on the busses then, eh? Not in my day as a bus driver. You either folded it or you walked. Oddly, when I restore the context, your remark makes no sense. Folding the buggy does not magically make all bus drivers and/or passengers more considerate; and generally, by turning one unwieldy object (child in buggy) into two (child and folded buggy), the job of maneouvering them becomes harder. #Paul |
Oyster communication failure
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Oyster communication failure
Clive wrote:
In message , writes Folding the buggy does not magically make all bus drivers and/or passengers more considerate; and generally, by turning one unwieldy object (child in buggy) into two (child and folded buggy), the job of maneouvering them becomes harder. You have all the Hallmarks on no experience, either from passenger or driver/conductor. Just remember, "Fold buggy at stop before bus comes into view." That makes life easier for punters and drivers/conductors. Oddly, I've never owned a car, almost always get public transport, and, when practical, fold buggies before getting on the bus. I've never been a driver/conductor though, but since London bus drivers are safely sealed away in little boxes, I might just have a better idea of the punter-experience (with and without buggy) than they do. #Paul |
Oyster communication failure
In message , Kat
writes If only they would take as their example some of the terrific station staff working at tube stations - particularly, in my experience, on the District Line - who are tireless in their desire to assist even the dimmest tourist. I envy their patience. Wow! I'm going to print that out and frame it!! ;-) I was thinking that too. -- Steve Fitzgerald has now left the building. You will find him in London's Docklands, E16, UK (please use the reply to address for email) |
Oyster communication failure
"David Cantrell" wrote in message ... No answer to your question I'm afraid but of course if you abuse staff on the buses or the Underground you will be prosecuted. Good thing that there's no indication that the OP abused them then. -- I'm very civilised. I was in a shirt and tie at the time. It wasn't as if I looked like an urban youth, out to cause the bus driver grief. |
Oyster communication failure
Ian F. wrote:
Abuse? From whom? Stress, OK, I agree, it's a pretty stressful job, but that doesn't mean they have to treat passengers with total disdain and look at us as though we've crawled out of the nearest gutter. Have you ever tried asking one of them a simple question, like saying "could you please tell me when we get to []?", just to be met with a glazed-over look and a grunt? You should live out here in the wilds of Essex where the last bus sails by the bus-stop ten minutes early while you're waiting to cross the road! -- Kat |
Oyster communication failure
"Paul Corfield" wrote in message There are plenty of skilled and polite bus drivers in London. I've been using the buses daily since March last year. I had to give up driving because a stroke left me 70% blind.. You are quite right. A driver on the 140 said thank you to me about six months' ago. I nearly died from the shock! Scum of the earth, generally. Mick. |
Oyster communication failure
"Mick Tully" wrote in message ... Technical question. I prepay online. The card can't show show much I'm in credit, can it? Surely it can only identify the owner to the LT computer system, ??? Mick. |
Oyster communication failure
On Sun, 3 Jul 2005 19:51:03 +0100, "?uzzled" said:
I'm very civilised. I was in a shirt and tie at the time. Some of the worst people out there wear shirt and tie! -- David Cantrell | http://www.cantrell.org.uk/david |
Oyster communication failure
"David Cantrell" wrote in message ... On Sun, 3 Jul 2005 19:51:03 +0100, "?uzzled" said: I'm very civilised. I was in a shirt and tie at the time. Some of the worst people out there wear shirt and tie! You've met my boss then ? |
Oyster communication failure
"Mick Tully" wrote in message ... You are quite right. A driver on the 140 said thank you to me about six months' ago. I nearly died from the shock! Mea Culpa! I'm ever so sorry. The reason why London's bus drivers appear to be such rude *******s is because of the enlightened policy of employing the disabled by Red Ken's Transport For London. They are, quite obviously, deaf mutes. I should have gathered this before, as I've often asked whether they've received staff training in dealing with customers, who after all, pay their wages. I've never had a reply... Now I understand why. Shame on me for not realising this before. Mick. |
Oyster communication failure
On Tue, 05 Jul 2005 15:07:39 GMT, "Mick Tully"
wrote: "Mick Tully" wrote in message ... You are quite right. A driver on the 140 said thank you to me about six months' ago. I nearly died from the shock! Mea Culpa! I'm ever so sorry. The reason why London's bus drivers appear to be such rude *******s is because of the enlightened policy of employing the disabled by Red Ken's Transport For London. They are, quite obviously, deaf mutes. I should have gathered this before, as I've often asked whether they've received staff training in dealing with customers, who after all, pay their wages. Ok, here's the answer: http://www.edexcel.org.uk/virtualcon..._Launch_v2.pdf Now, if you're not happy with the service you get why not complain to London Buses? Rob. -- rob at robertwoolley dot co dot uk |
Oyster communication failure
Kat typed
You should live out here in the wilds of Essex where the last bus sails by the bus-stop ten minutes early while you're waiting to cross the road! They do that in Middlesex too... -- Helen D. Vecht: Edgware. |
Oyster communication failure
"Helen Deborah Vecht" wrote in message
... Kat typed You should live out here in the wilds of Essex where the last bus sails by the bus-stop ten minutes early while you're waiting to cross the road! They do that in Middlesex too... Ah, Middlesex... Oggi, Oggi, Oggi! Oi! Oi! Oi! Midle, Middle, Middle! Sex! Sex! Sex! (Once repeated in Holland, to howls of laughter from the natives. Why? Because the Dutch apparantly know what "Left Sex" or "Right Sex" are, but hadn't heard of "Middle Sex" :-)) ) -- MatSav At the edge of Middlesex |
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