Boundary Zone 6 - Shenfield

[n1dom]

I have a Zones 1-6 Annual GC on Oyster, and made the following journeys last week to Shenfield:

Monday: Great Portland Street (touch in 17:58) - SNF (touch out 18:51) and was charged £3.90 in PAYG.

Friday: St. James's Park (in 16:07) - LST (out 16:30) - SNF (arr. 1712) but purchased a Anytime Single with NGC for BZone 6 to SNF at LST for £2.80.

Having checked the TfL website regarding the PAYG extension, GC discounts and the relevant fares, I just wanted to confirm that I merely got hammered by TfL for the convenience of using Oyster PAYG in the peak. It really confirms my faith in using the booking office!

 

[yorkie]

Indeed.

TfL try to give the impression that Oyster is always cheaper, but it's not always cheaper. They word their claims in a way to avoid being accused of making false claims e.g. "The cheapest fares are on Oyster" is designed to make people think Oyster is cheaper, but what they're really saying is that Oyster is cheaper at times when Oyster off peak fares are valid, not necessarily cheaper for the actual journey being made.

For Monday, I'm unsure how the £3.90 is calculated (Harold Wood-Shenfield costs more than that; Brentwood-Shenfield costs a lot less).

For Friday, a paper BZ6-SNF SDS is indeed £2.80

 

[n1dom]

Many thanks yorkie.

Likewise I'm unsure about the £3.90 fare, but that's what Oyster online is showing me.

 

[MikeWh]

For Monday, I'm unsure how the £3.90 is calculated (Harold Wood-Shenfield costs more than that; Brentwood-Shenfield costs a lot less).

For Friday, a paper BZ6-SNF SDS is indeed £2.80

The extension fare is that required to travel in the zone(s) not covered by the travelcard. With the usual zones this is obvious, but the single station zones (Watford Junction, Broxbourne, Brentwood and Shenfield) are difficult because there is no published fare for just that zone. Logic suggests that between the fares for Brentwood to Shenfield and Harold Wood to Shenfield is the right amount.

Other than in the afternoon peak, the £1.80 charged to a railcard discounted Oyster card is superb value.