Should Oyster Be Combined With A Freedom Pass?
Consider.
- This morning I wanted an early start, so to get to Moorgate, I left before 0900, which meant I couldn’t use my Freedom Pass on the buses and Underground.
- So I used my Oyster Card, which still had some money on it.
- After breakfast, it was nearly ten, so I swapped my card back to the Freedom Pass.
I believe it would be more convenient, if I had one card that handled both ticketing modes. It would be an Oyster card, but when I used it outside of the morning Peak, the card wouldn’t be charged.
The Anonymous Widower 
Given that ITSO have introduced time, distance, zone and customer profiled cards it doesn’t look like an insurmountable problem to resolve your point by combining these, especially as all of this can be loaded on a smartphone. I believe TfL’s system already accept payment by smartphone.
I’d imagine that any alternative system to ITSO would be equally practicable.
Comment by fammorris | October 19, 2022 |
I have to admit I thought it was a combined card. At the other end of the age range, the Zip5-11? card does allow you to load money (my OH did this accidentally, and it’s not easy to get it back–only useful on Dangleway and riverboats or maybe a few specific journeys).
Comment by MilesT | October 19, 2022 |
What made me write this was I was in an M & S in the City advertising for temporary workers for Christmas staff.
At 75, I could probably do a job for them like standing by the self-service tills and helping people. I don’t need the money, so I won’t be doing it. But there must be loads of pensioners, who are a bit short of money, who might like a job over Christmas. If they are retired and have a Freedom Pass, a dual card would make it easier for them to get to work early and might encourage them to sign up to ease labour shortages.
I think too, that there are a lot of jobs, that a fit over-70 can do. I’ve recently done a couple of mornings as a receptionist to help out a friend. It’s no more taxing, than sitting here typing.
Comment by AnonW | October 19, 2022 |