Modern Technology - Travelling by public transport!

[Aernout Fabius]

On Tuesday 3rd August 2010 I am/was planning my trip to Slough to see a new client.

Environmentally friendly approach - is it worth it?
Rather than taking two cars, I will be travelling back from Slough in Berkshire, via Paddington to Wimbledon to meet another new client.

1. Do I have to get off the train at the first Zone 6 station (West Drayton) to swipe my Oyster Card?
2. When I phone TFL for advice and asked staff at Kingston upon Thames railway station they confirmed I have to stop at West Drayton to swipe my oystercard, and take a later train into Paddington, so that I can make use of a daily travelcard price cealing and reduce my cost of travel
3. Can the train/ticket conductor swipe my Oystercard?

Looks like another nuisance and poor value for money for thousands of SME owners using the public transport network in and around London!! Watch this space... .

[Keith Grover, NiS Founder]

Search me, Aernout!

I stopped commuting up to the big smoke on a regular basis some time before the world became our Oyster. As a hopeless old Luddite based out here in Hicksville, Surrey, I have only a hazy idea of how it all works. Perhaps I should just wait for my Freedom Pass :0)

[Aernout Fabius]

The word Luddite does not exist in my disctionary, even though I know what you mean. Why pay £8 congestioncharge, petrol, parking and the agony of driving at an average of 7MPH?

In this example, I think officialdom - AKA government bureaucrats - have not thought this process through properly. If the TFL system is capable of sending me a refund to my nominated "travel starting point", why should I waste my time getting off the train to swipe my oystercard!!

As I said: "Watch this space"

[Aernout Fabius]

My visit to Slough was full off potential. Using the Oyster Card from West Drayton to wimbledon is considerably cheaper. The only set back was my arrival in West Drayton. No Oyster machine on the plaform. I found one at the bottom of the exit stairs, but by the time I rushed back up, the train was gone and I had to wait twenty minutes for the next train into Paddington.

That's life, I guess