Following the rather terrible failure of the TfL Oyster Card system a few weeks back, the system has broken down again. Having been watching BBC London news this morning, it turns out that the gremlins are back in full force, and the end result being that free travel for all is up for grabs.
What makes this different from the previous failure is that this one has happened on a week day.
The problem is only on The Tube, Oyster Cards are still working as normal on buses.
TfL released the following statement:-
“There is currently a technical problem with Oyster readers at London Underground stations which is affecting Oyster pay as you go cards only. Ticket gatelines have been opened to minimise any disruption to passengers whilst we resolve the problem.
“Cards are not being disabled and we will automatically refund any passengers who may be charged the maximum £4 fare as a result of not being able to touch in and out at the beginning and end of their journeys. Oyster card holders need take no further action.
“We believe that this problem, like the last one resulted from incorrect data tables being sent out by our contractor, Transys.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our passengers.”
More soon! (after my morning journey).
Update
The morning journey: Earls Court was its usual morning dog show of tourists and regular commuters, but the gates weren’t open. A sign was posted warning travellers that the system was down. So it looked to be business as usual there.
When I arrived at Turnham Green tube station, the gates were open, and the card readers on the barriers had yellow hazard tape on, and I was told by the guard not to touch my card on the reader. So clearly things hadn’t been reset at this point and there must have been worry of cards becoming corrupted. Later on the return journey, everything was back to normal.
But this does leave me wondering if I will be charged for touching in at Earls Court, and not touching out at Turham Green? I await a rebate with bated breath!
