Do Oyster validators work differently now?

[burgesst]

Just realised that I've been charged out of zone extras for journeys within my zones!

I have an annual zone 3-6 season on my Oystercard, and travel Strawberry Hill - Willesden Junction via Richmond. I usually touch the pink validator at Richmond, but since having a season (for 3 years), its never made a difference if I haven't.

Until this year. Just found I have been charged an out of zone fare 4 times this month, I guess because I didn't touch the validator. I know that they changed the rule from 'should' to 'must' use the validator last year, but has the actual charging process changed now too?

 

[yorkie]

The pink validators were originally only applicable to PAYG users, not Travelcard holders. This changed some time ago.

Also, separately to that, the default route for a Travelcard holder may be different to the default route for a PAYG user. But, again, these could be subject to change.

It looks like you will now have to use the pink reader, unfortunately.

 

[MikeWh]

The default routes for travelcard holders used to be different, but I don't think many, if any, are now. The default for this journey is via Clapham Junction, if you touch at Richmond you avoid zone 2.