One of the (many) problems with the way Oyster is set up is that when visitors leave the country, they often miss out on claiming back their £3 deposit or unused pre-pay because they can't find an open ticket office with a short enough queue to make it worthwhile cashing in their chips.
Rather than making it easier for the customer - by, for example, abolishing the deposit or restoring cut ticket office hours - LUL has spotted an opportunity to snatch their cash for charity. Yes, Heathrow 123 now has a nice box where you can drop your Oyster on your way to the airport. Watch out in the pages of forthcoming On The Moves for pictures of smiling Heathrow managers handing over the dosh to a charity, boosting their PR.
With staff concerned about potential vandalism, abuse, and customers angry about being coerced into 'giving', you'd think that management ought to consult their union reps. Don't be so ridiculous.
