ATTN BRITISH PEOPLE

[gaypornninja]

http://www.septa.org/fares/npt/faq.html

Please glance at this if you have a moment and tell me if this is how Oyster cards work and if you've had any problems with them so I have an idea of what new hassle SEPTA will present me for their own enjoyment.

THANKS!

I know this sounds like the MTA cards but something something the LIRR doesn't work this way.

Comments

[lexstar29.livejournal.com]

Reading the FAQ it sounds pretty similar to the Oyster card, especially with regard to the touch in and out system.

It works pretty well for the most part in my experience. You do have to be careful to make sure that it does register you in and out, if the card reader is not part of a turnstile gate, or the turnstile is open, so you have to make sure you hear the beep, to avoid getting over charged but other than that I've not had any major issues.

Just make sure whenever you are topping up your credit you do it at quiet times, or you can be queuing for an age whilst everyone else does the same!

If you think of anything else specific that you are curious about just ask!

[gaypornninja.livejournal.com]

I pulled up a FAQ for the Oyster card and it sounds reasonable enough. I did like the MTA card system which is kind of like this. Does the Oyster card only work on the Tube?

That's my worry - RFID signals aren't as great as they make out. Except you can use your phone too so maybe it's not RFID - maybe it's a mix of things. I'll keep that in mind but hopefully I'll be getting the unlimited usage card I get now since I ride several different things every day. [Bus + bus in the morning, bus + subway + train home.] I pay 56 pounds a month for zone 1 unlimited on the train with everything underneath it included for free.

I'm wondering about that one - do you still have human workers or just kiosks? Because I'd rather recharge mine online.

Thanks! I might have questions when they get around to this which will be kind of interesting - they want to phase it in over three years which sounds kind of stupid - you'll need different cards for different systems in the meantime.

[lexstar29.livejournal.com]

Oyster cards are good for buses as well, they can also be used on overground trains within the 6 London travel zones.

We have human workers manning booths, as well as machines where you can top up you credit at the station, or you can do it online I think, although I've always done it at the station kiosk.

[gaypornninja.livejournal.com]

How does it work on the buses? Do you just wave the card at a machine in the front of the bus? That is what I am most curious about because they were promising no one would have to get anything out anymore, just walk past a scanner, and I do not believe them.

Good. I didn't want to think people would lose their jobs.

[downloadable08.livejournal.com]

If it's anything like our ORCA cards here in the Seattle area (which work on buses/light rail/the trolley/etc.), they're kinda like thin versions of keycards for buildings. Mine can be in my "wallet" (I keep all my ID and cards in one of those clear plastic photo-flip things), and as long as it's in an outside pocket of my purse, I just have to wave the whole thing in front of the reader--no actually taking the individual card out. A bit more effort than just walking straight on, but much less than swiping it with a magnetic strip or something.

[lexstar29.livejournal.com]

Yes, there is a reader on the bus at the front and you swipe the card over it like with the underground turnstiles.

I'd be dubious about not having to get the card out too, I can't imagine that the signal strength would be good enough, although I suppose it might, as my Dad's car key works that way and unlocks the car even if it is in my bag or my pocket. Drives me nuts if I'm honest as you can never tell if you locked it properly as it unlocks when you go near it!

[shiny-glor-chan.livejournal.com]

*just staaaaaaaaares* The fuck. SEPTA will be all changed when I get back from Italy in December, then? *would have read that link, but it all just kinda blurred for her* @_@

[gaypornninja.livejournal.com]

They said it will take three years to impliment AFTER they award the contract and some of the FAQ mentions making a paid only area of the RR stations which will probably involve construction of some kind so don't worry about it any time soon. :)

[shiny-glor-chan.livejournal.com]

Oh good. @_____@ I was worried. >>;;

[gaypornninja.livejournal.com]

They've been trying to set this up for a decade so...:D

[jasmasson.livejournal.com]

Pretty much. You can top up online, at automatic paystations, at booths, whatever (I'm uncertain re smartphone apps - I'm sure it's on the way, if not in use).

If your card is a 'season ticket' or a concession (student, young person etc) it has to be linked to you. You can set up auto payments (direct debits or link to cards), and again that would need to be linked to you, or you can just get one anonymously and pay as you go. If you pay online it'll need to be linked to you.

In my experience, travel fares in the UK are more (unnecessarily) complex than the US cities I've been to. There are 6 travel zones in London and you can use Oyster within them on tube, overground train or even buses. Each zone has a different charge - to get access in you need enough money on your card to use all zones but when you 'touch out' it only charges you for the journey you made. If you don't 'touch out' it charges you the max and if you don't 'touch in' it won't let you out, so you need to make sure your card is read.

It works smoothly so long as you touch in and out - I've had no problems.

[gaypornninja.livejournal.com]

I'm sure smartphone apps are in use because people have them for fucking everything.

/nods/ I don't think I mind the link especially since they mentioned an option to have the credit transferred to a new card if you lose one or it is stolen which happens a lot here. Also, I think this means they can get rid of the idiotic gender related passes so people can maybe share them as long as they don't need ID and trans people won't have to fight with SEPTA anymore. I'll think about that.

We have 4+ zones here due to the nature of all the surrounding areas that the trains hook into - I'm not sure how that references to the London zones. That explanation makes sense - thank you.