'The Tube' (TV program)

[Crossover]

Could they make a paper based one?

Doubtful - Oyster works whereby the credit is held on the cards chip, not on a central database (thus, a break in communication in the barriers won't completely stop the show I don't think)

I doubt a paper based ticket would be able to hold information in the same way and wouldn't be particular long lasting

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Could they make a paper based one?

Yes, they could call it something like "Travelcard" couldn't they? Just imagine it - a single ticket offering unlimited travel around London, no messing about with awkward penalties for not touching in or out properly, no point in trying a number of the common Oyster scams because it's a fixed price ticket that doesn't depend on barriers to charge it, no worries about being overcharged if you take a minute longer than the system thinks you should to make a specific journey, it would be incredibly logical and simple to use.

 

[Yew]

Yes, they could call it something like "Travelcard" couldn't they? Just imagine it - a single ticket offering unlimited travel around London, no messing about with awkward penalties for not touching in or out properly, no point in trying a number of the common Oyster scams because it's a fixed price ticket that doesn't depend on barriers to charge it, no worries about being overcharged if you take a minute longer than the system thinks you should to make a specific journey, it would be incredibly logical and simple to use.

However wouldnt have the discounts applied to oyster. I was thinking like with a tesco clubcard, you cna get a paper 'temporary' clubcard, that you can use whilst waiting for your plastic one to arrive. This would be something that you could pickup in a leaflet, put some credit on, and then use. to offest the costs, you could have the credit expire after a year.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Yew.... I think you missed the slight dig I was having at TfL there didn't you?

 

[jon0844]

Of course we all know why TfL cash fares are deliberately set high. But I think that's a very good idea you have about handing out a leaflet.

It would also be nice if when it wasn't too busy, that ticket office staff could offer tourists an Oyster card instead.

The prices are high to discourage people buying paper tickets I presume, which is fine, but for someone visiting (whether from abroad or another part of the UK), they may not even know about Oyster and the fact they're paying a premium for buying from a machine or ticket window.

If they knew it was half the price (well, more than half price) for getting an Oyster, which they can keep and use again and again, then it would be worth it.

I'd personally rather pay £10 for a prepay card, and leave money on it - even if I wasn't sure I'd ever use it again (or even come back to that town/city) out of principle than pay over the odds. For one, if the visitor Oyster has any special designs on it, I'd have one as a souvenir anyway.

There's no point charging more to discourage people buying paper tickets if the people aren't being discouraged simply as they don't know there is an alternative and just think our transport system is grossly overpriced.

 

[Daniel]

The main problem I had with selling oyster cards to tourists was the £5 deposit.

I could just about convince someone to buy one and top up just for a single journey, then refund it at the other end.

The the ticket office changes went through and I couldn't promise that they'd be able to return their Oyster card at the other end.

Realistically I believe T/O's should be able to sell visitors (PAYG only) oyster cards at the reduced deposit price. At least then they're cheaper and also act as souvenirs as they have a design on the front.

 

[johnnyp_360]

I used what appeared to be a paper based card touch-in touch-out system in Amsterdam last year on their tram system. The paper based card was sold to me on the tram itself by a conductor. When you left the tram, you were expected to touch out at the doors. I didn't fully understand the system there but this surely proves that a paper based option of an oyster card is possible?

 

[trentside]

I used what appeared to be a paper based card touch-in touch-out system in Amsterdam last year on their tram system. The paper based card was sold to me on the tram itself by a conductor. When you left the tram, you were expected to touch out at the doors. I didn't fully understand the system there but this surely proves that a paper based option of an oyster card is possible?

Yes, I actually have one of those somewhere. For some reason, they're also only valid for an hour - so are effectively a single ticket. I'm guessing the need to touch out is an attempt to reduce fare evasion as I seem to remember its connected to some exit gates on the trams.

 

[transmanche]

I used what appeared to be a paper based card touch-in touch-out system in Amsterdam last year on their tram system. The paper based card was sold to me on the tram itself by a conductor. When you left the tram, you were expected to touch out at the doors. I didn't fully understand the system there but this surely proves that a paper based option of an oyster card is possible?

The disposable 'OV Chipkaart'. I believe that they use the Mifare Ultralight. Which would be suitable for single/return/day/weekend tickets. However apparently they don't have an electronic purse - so I don't think they would be any use as a paper PAYG ticket.

 

[wintonian]

Realistically I believe T/O's should be able to sell visitors (PAYG only) oyster cards at the reduced deposit price. At least then they're cheaper and also act as souvenirs as they have a design on the front.

There all ready is one with a £3 activation free (non-refundable I assume) that you can have posted to you.

http://visitorshop.tfl.gov.uk/oystercard/product/oyster-card.html

 

[Daniel]

There all ready is one with a £3 activation free (non-refundable I assume) that you can have posted to you.

http://visitorshop.tfl.gov.uk/oystercard/product/oyster-card.html

Yeah that's what I was talking about, it's called the visitors oyster card. But you can't buy it at a ticket office. I'm saying it should be sold at the ticket office.

 

[lyesbkz]

Out of curiosity did anybody else notice in Episode 1 that the lady who said she's been working at the ticket office for several years was advising people to travel to Westminister?

 

[GodAtum]

Just started watching ep 2. Sorry for being stupid but why do they need to check tickets when there are barriers as they are effectively checking them twice? And how would one get past the barriers ayway!

 

[lyesbkz]

Just started watching ep 2. Sorry for being stupid but why do they need to check tickets when there are barriers as they are effectively checking them twice? And how would one get past the barriers ayway!

Watch the programme in full, you'll see why by the end

 

[GodAtum]

Watch the programme in full, you'll see why by the end

OK I've commuted on the tube for years and have never seen any ticket checks, maybe i'm just unlucky!

Is London's tube the most expensive in the world? Why is, for example, the NYC Metro or Paris Metro cheaper?

 

[lyesbkz]

OK I've commuted on the tube for years and have never seen any ticket checks, maybe i'm just unlucky!

Or, lucky! The tube has enough disruptions without being slowed down even further

 

[Cruithne3753]

The use of whistles rather than horns on underground trains seems a bit quaint in this day and age - especially on the new S stock!

 

[martin2345uk]

I adore the fact that they have whistles!

 

[benk1342]

Well obviously the lines would still have names, for example everywhere you currently see "Central line" signs, you'd see "Red line" signed. Might have to come up with a better name than "Light Blue line" for the Victoria though. You could get away with Silver for the Jubilee and Purple for the Met rather than their current "TfL colour names"

Yup---Washington DC names the lines by colour (Red, Blue, Orange, Green, Yellow) and it is no problem for colour-blind me. It's a name just like any other, plus the added hint of the colour to the extent you can discern it.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Doubtful - Oyster works whereby the credit is held on the cards chip, not on a central database (thus, a break in communication in the barriers won't completely stop the show I don't think)

I doubt a paper based ticket would be able to hold information in the same way and wouldn't be particular long lasting

Washington DC metro manages this, and it works pretty well in my experience. The balance is stored on the magnetic strip on the back of the paper card and is also printed on the front. Each time you use it the remaining balance is printed on a new line on the front, just below the previous balance. I've held onto them and used them over a year later before with no problem.

Obviously this requires gates that can print, but with the right equipment it can work.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The main problem I had with selling oyster cards to tourists was the £5 deposit.

I could just about convince someone to buy one and top up just for a single journey, then refund it at the other end.

The the ticket office changes went through and I couldn't promise that they'd be able to return their Oyster card at the other end.

Why not? Did this change? I have family visiting soon and I was going to advise them to get an Oyster and then cash it in at the end. Is this no longer good advice?

 

[jon0844]

The metro in Barcelona works the same way. Cheaper and cheerful, although I did have to get two replacement cards during my stay due to the magstrips getting corrupted. They read the text, login on a TVM and print a new one.

Sent from my Commodore 64 using Tapatalk

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Anyone know what the theme this week is?

 

[lyesbkz]

Anyone know what the theme this week is?

This:

Going behind the scenes of the world's oldest, largest and busiest underground train network as it undergoes the biggest overhaul in its history.

For Tube drivers, their worst fear is somebody jumping or falling in front of their train. We follow what happens when this fear becomes a distressing reality for two drivers.

Also, we meet the crews of the Tube's specialised emergency response units as they are scrambled to deal with any eventuality on the Underground, from accidents and injuries to mysterious obstructions on the line. Plus how the Tube - and its dedicated British Transport Police officers - copes with the demands of the Notting Hill Carnival.

 

[SS4]

Anyone know what the theme this week is?

One unders according to the TV guide (not that they use that phrase)

 

[Daniel]

Why not? Did this change? I have family visiting soon and I was going to advise them to get an Oyster and then cash it in at the end. Is this no longer good advice?

It's just a case of the ticket office hours have been reduced so much that unless you're returning your card at a London Terminal or Heathrow I couldn't be sure if the ticket office would be open to hand it in.

 

[Mojo]

OK I've commuted on the tube for years and have never seen any ticket checks, maybe i'm just unlucky!

Chances are you do see them, but you have never been stopped. Most Revenue Control exercises involve RCIs monitoring gatelines for suspicious activity (e.g. double gating) or inspecting customers with certain tickets (staff passes and freedom passes for example can be set up to flash an orange light).

Is London's tube the most expensive in the world? Why is, for example, the NYC Metro or Paris Metro cheaper?

You get what you pay for. I'd say both your quoted examples provide an inferior service to LU.

 

[district]

You get what you pay for. I'd say both your quoted examples provide an inferior service to LU.

Completely agree. LUL've won Best Metro in the world. LUL run quick, reliable services with clean stations, with staffing throughout to provide a great customer experience.

 

[Dstock7080]

**cough** **cough** which Staff manual have you been reading?!?!

 

[district]

**cough** **cough** which Staff manual have you been reading?!?!

It's true though

On the whole, the customer gets from A to B, quickly, safely and cleanly. Yes, people have gripes but it's a great system, with some great staff who make it.

 

[lyesbkz]

One unders according to the TV guide (not that they use that phrase)

Yes they do

An awful lot..

 

[WestCoast]

This episode is a bit morbid. The incident the driver was talking about at Earls Court sounded pretty horrific.