A quick question regarding the need for photocards with Oysters.

I have an Annual Oystercard and accompanying Gold Record Card. I also have
a very old photocard which used to be used when I would get a monthly paper
season ticket.

Yesterday at Liverpool Street station (LU side) I was stopped by a
non-uniformed ticket inspector, she went through all my tickets and said I
needed a photocard with my Goldcard. She was very very persistant that I
needed one. I asked if you still needed one with Oystercards, which she
replied of course you do.

I went through my wallet and found my old photocard used for purchasing
paper LU season tickets, which she reluctantly accepted. She spent ages
scanning my Oyster and looking at the various tickets in my ticket holder.
Hence I missed my connecting train (Very tight transfer time I know),
however I don't think my Oystercard is related to my photocard in any way.

I spoke to various staff at different stations today who all said "you do
not need a photocard with a Oystercard". Ready to make a complaint, I just
spoke to a Revenue Protection Manager on the phone who covers Liverpool
Street who was rude to say the least. He said you must have a photocard
with an period Oystercard, and that the Inspector was right and I was wrong.

Obviously I did'nt take it further as he implied he knows everything about
tickets. Setting aside the fact the inspector was very rude, was she
correct ?


Any thoughts .....