Since January 2nd, if you fail to touch in or out with your Oyster, you will be stung for £6! TfL says it's because Oyster is now on national rail. But they must be hearing the cash roll in already. Often, faults with Oyster readers or station incidents or overcrowding mean customers can't complete journeys, it's not their fault. You will even be charged if you have a season ticket.
TfL have produed no fares guide this year and no publicity. It will look like we're tricking customers. And staff will get it in the neck. Once again, the contempt in which Tfl holds its staff and customers is disgusting.
If they are 'cutting costs', the fares booklet is one item staff and customers can't do without. It's as if they want to hide the fact that fares have gone up. Although a lot of fares have stayed the same, there have been some extortionate rises. A weekly bus pass has gone from £53 to £63 a week. A lot of the sting seems to be targetted at poor people.
We hear that regulated national rail fares have gone down for the first time in years, in line with inflation. A few questions should be asked. How is it that fares can go up at all when inflation has been negative? They are keen enough to point to low inflation when giving us a paltry pay rise! Also, where does each £6 charge go? It sure isn't coming back to us!
