Scrap OEPs now, says watchdog
London TravelWatch has called for the Oyster Extension Permits to be scrapped.
Oyster Extension Permits, which were introduced by train companies last week when Oyster Pay As You Go became available on national rail services (successfully), are needed every time a passenger with a zonal ticket on an Oystercard travels outside of their normal zones on the railway.
Sharon Grant, Chair, London TravelWatch, said: “We are concerned that passengers will be liable for penalty fares or fines as the permits are difficult to understand and difficult to buy. Oyster PAYG is a useful, convenient way of getting around London, but these permits are the reverse of useful and convenient.”
Oyster Extension Permits have been hard for passengers to buy at ticket machines, owing to technical problems for some train operators and London TravelWatch has heard reports that not all train companies are even enforcing them as they are so utterly bewildering for passengers.
Sharon Grant, Chair, London TravelWatch said: “The Oyster Extension Permit was a bad idea which is unnecessarily complicated, and it should be dumped as soon as possible.”
For more information, please contact the London TravelWatch press office on 020 7726 9953 or 07734 055494.
The voice of London's transport users
13 January 2010