Would you like to upload text/photos of the correspondence, with identifying details removed?
Below is what I have sent to GA. Again a big thanks to all who put this together.
Dear Sir / Madam
Case Reference: XXXXXX
Oyster Card Reference Number: XXXXXXXXXX
I am writing to ask you in the strongest terms to review your letter of 03 Jun 2020 and withdraw your request for payment of £150 and related threat of court action.
You have alleged that I have used an Oyster Card in contravention of the rules that apply to it and you suggest that I have not paid the correct fare.
As you will be able to establish, the Oyster Card was issued in 2007 in accordance with the Terms and Conditions applicable at the time. Any discounts associated with using the card for travel expired on 15 Feb 2008.
I do not believe I have breached the law in the manner in which your correspondence states, and I believe that I have paid the correct fare for the journey concerned.
Prior to use I had asked station staff about validity and had been informed that the card just turns into a standard Oyster Card when the discount ends.
This is re-enforced in the Transport for London publication ‘Staff Guide to Fares and Ticketing from 2 January 2015, Book 3: Discount Schemes and Photocards’ on page 7 where it states:
TfL Staff Guide to Fares and Ticketing Jan 2nd 2015 Book 3:
“18+ Student Oyster photocards issued under the Student Discount scheme can continue to be used for adult-rate season tickets and to pay as they go after the discount has expired. Once they are ‘adult’ Oyster cards (i.e. they no longer carry any discount entitlement), they can be given to someone else to use if they only have pay as you go credit on them, even though they have a photo of the registered holder.”
You will be able to consult your own copy of this publication or it can be viewed in full here:
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/requ...ng book 3 2015 Photocards and discount....pdf
I therefore believe that the staff who stopped me on the date concerned were incorrect in their actions, and I do not have a case to answer.
I believe that I was using the Oyster Card correctly and have paid the fare due.
I am therefore asking you to:
Withdraw your request for payment and threat of court action
Consider compensating me for the time, costs and stress related to having to deal with this situation.
If you are unable to agree to this I would request that you explain clearly to me, in writing, why not so that I can seek further advice as necessary.
I look forward to hearing from you in due course.
Yours sincerely