Research


published
by
passenger
watchdog
London
TravelWatch
reveals
that
paper
tickets
on
some
modes
of
transport
in
the
capital
can
cost
200
per
cent
more
than
their
digital
equivalents.

The
watchdog
published
a
report
called
Left
out
Londoners
two
years
ago,
and
it
has
taken
a
fresh
look
at
progress
since
then,
concluding
that
there
is
a
mixed
picture,
highlighting
both
good
practice
and
continuing
barriers
for
passengers
who
do
not
use
digital
methods
or
are
disadvantaged
in
some
way.

It
said
one
of
its
‘most
concerning
findings
was
the
disparity
between
the
cost
of
“tapping
in
and
out”
at
the
ticket
barriers
compared
with
the
cost
of
buying
a
paper
ticket,
with
the
paper
ticket
sometimes
costing
around
200
per
cent
more.

It
continued
that
‘This
represents
a
clear
and
expensive
barrier
for
those
relying
on
making
cash
payments,
or
people
who
have
simply
chosen
to
buy
a
ticket
at
the
machine
leaving
them
at
a
huge
disadvantage.’

There
has
been
a
disparity
between
cash
fares
and
the
Oyster
smartcard
tariff
on
the
Underground
for
more
than
20
years.
Since
Oyster
cards
were
introduced
in
2003
they
have
always
offered
cheaper
fares
than
paying
cash,
and
ticket
offices
were
closed
at
Underground
stations
after
contactless
bank
cards
had
been
added
to
the
system,
reducing
the
proportion
of
non-digital
payments
to
3
per
cent
or
less.

On
buses,
meanwhile,
it
is
no
longer
possible
to
pay
with
cash.

LTW
added
that
it
has
‘long
stressed
the
importance
of
having
staff
at
stations,
and
our
new
research
highlighted
that
when
staff
are
present,
they
provide
crucial
help
to
passengers.
This
is
especially
important
for
people
who
are
more
likely
to
be
digitally
excluded
or
disadvantaged,
such
as
older
people
and
disabled
people
as
staff
can
offer
support,
advice
and
assistance.

‘However,
we
found
that
the
level
of
support
varies
between
stations,
with
some
offering
more
help
and
assistance
than
others.
This
can
be
confusing
for
passengers
who
rely
on
extra
support.’

London
TravelWatch
CEO
Michael
Roberts
said:
‘The
results
of
our
research
show
that
many
passengers
still
face
barriers,
particularly
when
it
comes
to
pricing,
support,
and
navigating
the
transport
system.
It
is
simply
unfair
that
those
paying
with
cash
–
or
who
choose
to
use
the
ticket
machines
–
are
forced
to
pay
so
much
more,
and
might
struggle
to
find
the
cheapest
option
for
travel.
This
is
also
likely
to
affect
some
of
those
most
impacted
by
the
ongoing
cost
of
living
crisis.

‘It
is
important
to
remove
as
many
barriers
to
transport
as
possible,
and
accessibility
should
be
at
the
heart
of
decision
making.
We
are
calling
on
Transport
for
London,
transport
operators
and
the
Department
for
Transport
to
commit
to
addressing
these
issues
that
are
leaving
Londoners
behind.’

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