Started Alexandra Palace at around 14:00 - unexpected diversion to King's Cross which I took in my stride. Touched out at King's Cross NR, touched in at King's Cross LU, traveled to Euston. Touched out at Euston LU and touched in at Euston LO for travel to Harlesden.
Was expecting a fare of £2.60/£2.70.
Started with a balance of £3.20 on my Oyster - after touching out at Harlesden, discovered I had a negative balance of 20p. Therefore charged £3.40 for my journey.
If your planned route was:
[stn]AAP[/stn] depart 1401
[stn]HHY[/stn] arrive 1411 depart 1420
[stn]WIJ[/stn] arrive 1445 depart 1451
[stn]HDN[/stn] arrive 1453
That would have cost £1.60.
However, due to the delay on the 1401 being 19 minutes late, if you felt it would be quicker to go via Zone 1 so as to minimise the delay, then the Oyster system is always going to charge the higher fare when you do this, you'd need to contact the Oyster helpline and explain the situation, they won't know automatically.
I have no idea how legitimate a claim is in such circumstances or what the prospect of success would be.
If you are saying that you were always going to go via Zone 1, then there is no case, and no question you were charged the correct amount.
If you want to pay £2.60 and go via Zone 1 then you'd need to travel from Wood Green station on the Piccadilly Line, instead of Alexandra Palace.
This is because a journey that includes all of the following:...
- A 'Red route' National Rail line; and
- A London Underground line; and
- goes via, or is deemed to require travel via, Zone 1
... attracts a premium. This premium has been discussed in other threads, if you'd like to read more about it, here are some recent topics discussing the issue in the past 4 months:-