FOI request detail

Calculation of Contactless Daily Caps

Request ID: FOI-0551-2122
Date published: 23 June 2021

You asked

I often travel in the morning and afternoon peaks between Dartford (NR, Zone 8) and Green Park (LU, Zone 1) and have noticed that the daily cap using contactless is £16.70 whereas the Fares Guide would suggest £17.40. I realise that contactless, as opposed to Oyster, calculates the cheapest fare using a combination of zonal caps and extension fares, however all reference to extension fares suggests that they are the same as the single fares for the zones not covered by the Travelcard/cap. I am unable to work out which fares are being charged in this case. Can you please let me know the extension fares applicable to contactless journeys, whether they are dependent on the mode of transport used, and the calculation for my specific journey?

We answered

TfL Ref: FOI-0551-2122

Thank you for your request of 17th June 2021 asking for information about contactless daily fare caps.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. 

Specifically you asked:

I often travel in the morning and afternoon peaks between Dartford (NR, Zone 8) and Green Park (LU, Zone 1) and have noticed that the daily cap using contactless is £16.70 whereas the Fares Guide would suggest £17.40. I realise that contactless, as opposed to Oyster, calculates the cheapest fare using a combination of zonal caps and extension fares, however all reference to extension fares suggests that they are the same as the single fares for the zones not covered by the Travelcard/cap. I am unable to work out which fares are being charged in this case. Can you please let me know the extension fares applicable to contactless journeys, whether they are dependent on the mode of transport used, and the calculation for my specific journey?

Contactless uses the best value combination of cap and extension fare for the journeys made. Extension fares are set for each zonal combination and mode - “mode” in this context is defined by the fare for the relevant journey leg(s) being set by TfL alone, by the Train Companies, or by both. They are based on pay as you go journey fares, though there is one common extension fare for each zonal combination/mode whereas actual point-to-point fares may vary by individual journey. This common extension fare may be based on a generic notional journey which cannot be made in reality, at a lower price than any specific real journey. For your specific journey, the calculation is:
 
Zone 1-3 daily cap 8.70
Zone 4-8 extension fare x2 8.00
Total charged 16.70

Note that more general information about TfL fares and tickets can be found on our website here:

https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/

If this is not the information you are looking for please do not hesitate to contact me.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely,

David Wells
FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London


 

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