In response to Daniel Timms' suggestion to scrap London's Tube fare zones and introduce distance-based fares in kilometres, there are several key points to consider that highlight the potential confusion and difficulties for various groups of passengers. He published his suggestion on The Londoner website, which can be found here. While the idea of distance-based pricing may seem appealing at first glance, it overlooks the significant impact this could have on passengers who rely on the current fare system, particularly those using Oyster Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) and contactless payment methods.
Why Distance-Based Fares Could Cause Confusion
While distance-based fares may sound like a solution to some, implementing them in place of the current fare zones could introduce unnecessary complexity. The current fare structure, based on Oyster PAYG, contactless payments, and Travelcards, is relatively straightforward. However, shifting to distance-based pricing could make it difficult for passengers to predict or understand their fare in advance, particularly for visitors or those with limited experience of the system.
Passengers already struggle with issues related to missing touch (i.e., failing to touch in or out), which can lead to high maximum fares. A distance-based fare system could potentially exacerbate this confusion by introducing even more variables that passengers would need to account for during each journey. For regular commuters or those unfamiliar with the system, this could create unnecessary stress and frustration.
The Advantages of Paper Day Travelcards
One of the primary reasons some passengers prefer paper Day Travelcards is their simplicity and convenience. Unlike the Oyster PAYG or contactless systems, which can be confusing for some users, especially tourists, the elderly, or those with disabilities. A paper Travelcard requires no touching in or out, and no need to keep track of maximum journey times or accidental failures to touch in or out.
For example, if a person's card (including smartphones with virtual cards) is lost or stolen, passengers can use a paper Day Travelcard as an alternative ticket to travel. Moreover, paper tickets offer better security for those who prefer not to use debit or credit cards due to concerns about fraud or security.
The Limitations of Oyster PAYG and Contactless
While the Oyster PAYG system and contactless payments have benefits, such as daily caps, they also come with significant disadvantages. If you fail to touch in at the start of your journey, or forget to touch out at the end, the system will often charge you the maximum fare for that trip, which can be significantly higher than the actual cost of the journey.
For example, a maximum fare could be as high as £18.00 or more for longer journeys or during peak times. Though passengers can claim a refund for up to three incorrect charges per calendar month, this process is cumbersome and not always straightforward.
Maximum Fares on Oyster PAYG and Contactless
When using an Oyster PAYG card or contactless payment, it’s important to be aware of the maximum fare charges. These apply if you don’t touch in at the start of your journey or touch out at the end, or if you exceed the maximum journey time.
Missing Touch: If you forget to touch in or touch out, or your journey takes longer than the system expects, you’ll be charged the maximum fare.
Maximum Fare Prices:
- Zones 1 to 9: The maximum fare can be up to £9.40 for a single journey.
- Beyond Zone 9: If you're travelling beyond Zone 9, the maximum fare can rise to £26.00, including travel on services like the Heathrow Express.
These maximum fares can be much higher than the usual cost of your journey, so it’s important to always touch in and touch out to avoid extra charges.
Refunds will not be issued if you have already claimed three maximum fare refunds within the same calendar month. You can read more on the TfL website.
Digital Exclusion and Accessibility Issues
One of the most pressing concerns with Oyster and contactless payment methods is the issue of digital exclusion. Many passengers, particularly older people or those without access to smartphones, may find it difficult to navigate the Oyster PAYG system.
For instance, customers outside London cannot purchase Oyster cards at their station of origin, which complicates travel for tourists or other visitors. Additionally, many older passengers may prefer not to use their debit cards for security reasons, and using a contactless payment card for multiple family members is not practical, as it cannot be used for more than one adult. This is especially true for large families, where Day Travelcards provide a much simpler and more convenient option, as they are valid for multiple adults and children.
Railcard Discounts and Flexible Travel Options
Another significant advantage of Day Travelcards is the ability to apply various Railcard discounts. For passengers holding a Senior Railcard, Disabled Railcard, or other types of National Railcards, they can easily apply their discounts to Day Travelcards, which is far more convenient than using Oyster or contactless. Certain Railcards such as the Disabled can even purchase a Day Travelcard for their companion.
Railcard discounts can be added to your Oyster card at various stations, including Tube, London Overground, and some Elizabeth Line stations, as well as Oyster Ticket Stops. This allows passengers to enjoy discounted pay-as-you-go fares with the added convenience of not needing to worry about remembering to touch in or out.
For more details, visit TfL's Railcard discount page.
Zone 1 to 6 Travelcard Prices and PAYG Caps
Here are the pay as you go caps and Travelcard prices for travel within Zones 1 to 6, covering central London and surrounding areas:
Pay As You Go Caps (Effective from 3rd March 2024)
- Daily Anytime Cap: £15.60
- Daily Off-Peak Cap: £15.60
- Weekly (Monday to Sunday): £78.00
Travelcards (Effective from 3rd March 2024)
- Day Anytime: £22.60
- Day Off-Peak: £15.90
- 7-Day Travelcard: £78.00
- Monthly Travelcard: £299.60
- Annual Travelcard: £3,120.00
These caps for PAYG and the prices for Travelcards reflect the cost of travel within the entire Greater London area and surrounding areas, and are a key factor to consider when evaluating the current fare system. Day Travelcards are more expensive than the PAYG daily cap, but they offer additional convenience, especially for those who do not want to worry about touching in or out or who are looking to include Railcard discounts.
Other Regional Day Tickets
While Oyster PAYG and contactless are widely used in London, other parts of the UK offer similar day tickets for unlimited travel. These can be great alternatives for local commuters or visitors. Here are two examples:
West Midlands - NNetwork DayTripper
The NNetwork DayTripper ticket gives you unlimited travel on buses, trams, and trains within the West Midlands area.
- Price: Available after 09:30 (Mon-Fri), with an add-on option.
- Where it’s valid: On buses run by operators in the Centrocard Ticket Scheme within the West Midlands.
- Additional Features:
- Swift PAYG smartcard for easy travel across the region.
- Top-up online or at Payzone kiosks, 24/7.
You can find more details here.
North East Combined Authority - All Day, Anywhere Ticket
This ticket offers unlimited travel across Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, and County Durham on buses, the Metro, the Shields Ferry, and Northern Rail services.
- Price: £6.80 for all-day travel across the region.
- Other options:
- Northumberland Day Rover (£5) – Unlimited bus travel within Northumberland.
- Tyne and Wear Day Rover (£6) – Travel on buses, the Metro, the Shields Ferry, and Northern Rail services between Blaydon and Sunderland.
- County Durham Day Rover (£4) – Unlimited bus travel within County Durham.
You can find more details on these tickets here.
These regional tickets offer flexibility for travel within specific areas, similar to the Oyster system in London.
Decision-Making Process for Changes to PAYG Zonal Fares
Any proposal to scrap PAYG zonal fares on Oyster and contactless would ultimately be the decision of the Mayor of London, in line with the powers granted under the Greater London Authority Act 1999. Specifically, Section 174 of the Act outlines the Mayor's responsibility for determining the structure of fares on public transport within Greater London. This includes deciding the general level and structure of fares for services operated by TfL or other operators working with TfL.
If such a proposal were put forward, it would also need to undergo a public consultation, which would include an Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) to ensure the changes do not disproportionately affect certain groups, in compliance with the Equality Act 2010 as part of their public sector duty. During this consultation, key stakeholders such as London TravelWatch, Transport for All, and other relevant organisations would be invited to comment, ensuring that the views of passengers and affected communities are properly considered.
In short, while the Mayor has the final say on any changes to the fare structure, such proposals would be subject to careful scrutiny and public input before any decisions are made.
Suggestions for Reform
Instead of scrapping fare zones and implementing a complicated distance-based fare system, I believe there are other, more practical ways to improve the TfL and wider public transport system:
- Expand the Travelcard system to cover services outside Greater London, especially in the South East of England. This could include non-TfL bus services, train services, and even riverboats such as the Tilbury Ferry.
- Introduce flexible, smart ticketing options that combine the benefits of Day Travelcards, Railcards, and PAYG while making the system easier to understand and more accessible for all passengers.
- Lower Day Travelcard and PAYG Caps: Encourage greater use of public transport by lowering the cost of Day Travelcards and the PAYG caps, making them more affordable and attractive for all passengers.
In addition, I have previously written about the need for reforms in London's transport network, including ticketing:
- I Believe It’s Time for a New Regional Transport Body for the South East of England
- I Believe TfL Should Reform The Travelcard Agreement To Offer Smart Flexible Ticketing Options
These suggestions aim to address broader issues surrounding public transport in London and the South East, ensuring that the system remains accessible, affordable, and efficient for all.