Firstly, apologies if this topic has already been dealt with. Also, I don't know much about Oyster cards, so please feel free to abuse...
But does anybody know...
If there's if a reason why Sydenham station can't have Oyster card metres?
If it's getting them in the future?
If yes - when?
If no - does anyone have any good ideas of how we can get them. Seems very unfair that we'll miss out on the financial benefits.
Ta!
OYSTER AT SYDENHAM
Oyster Cards are not accepted at Sydenham (or practically any other overground rail station in London). The railway operating companies have, for years, resisted all of Transport for London's overtures to join such a scheme which would mean seamless travel on buses, tubes and rail.
The companies argue that the scheme requires large investment in card readers at every station and, since they are private companies with short franchises, there is no incentive for them to take on such investments.
However, after talks between TFL and the companies, they have at last reached agreement to begin installing readers on selected lines starting next year - although not on our local line unfortunately.
The Travelcard doesn't quite have the cache of the Oystercard (or many of its money saving possibilities) but you'll have to put up with it for some time yet, I'm afraid
The companies argue that the scheme requires large investment in card readers at every station and, since they are private companies with short franchises, there is no incentive for them to take on such investments.
However, after talks between TFL and the companies, they have at last reached agreement to begin installing readers on selected lines starting next year - although not on our local line unfortunately.
The Travelcard doesn't quite have the cache of the Oystercard (or many of its money saving possibilities) but you'll have to put up with it for some time yet, I'm afraid
There are very few circumstances where you lose out through not being able to use an Oyster card.
If you have a travelcard, it doesn't make much difference whether it is on paper or loaded onto an Oyster. Oyster travelcards are still valid at National Rail stations anyway.
If you don't use a travelcard, it is worth getting an Oystercard with some pre-pay for use on buses and tube, even if you still have to buy tickets to travel by rail.
Or do as I do, which is buy a rail season ticket (for my commute in and out of London) and use Oyster pre-pay for the occasional bus and tube journey.
If you have a travelcard, it doesn't make much difference whether it is on paper or loaded onto an Oyster. Oyster travelcards are still valid at National Rail stations anyway.
If you don't use a travelcard, it is worth getting an Oystercard with some pre-pay for use on buses and tube, even if you still have to buy tickets to travel by rail.
Or do as I do, which is buy a rail season ticket (for my commute in and out of London) and use Oyster pre-pay for the occasional bus and tube journey.