Rules regarding PAYG charge for a single rail journey
Request ID: FOI-1357-2425 Date published: 09 August 2024
You asked
Under the Freedom of Information Act, I'm writing to request rules regarding PAYG charge for a single rail journey applied on customers' Oyster or contactless cards.
In particular:
1. How does it determine which zones / fare scale apply to a journey?
1.1. If that is based on some assumed routes, how are those routes determined?
1.2. How do intermediate touches (OSI / pink-reader) factor into the decision?
1.2.1. If a customer proceeds with an 'unexpected' route, as reflected in an OSI or pink-reader touch not covered by the default zones / fare scale, how will the system adjust the charge?
2. Under what circumstances are there 'avoid Zone 1' fares between two stations?
2.1 How are the checkpoint stations determined?
3. Under what circumstances are fares missing between stations (as in Single fare finder) while a journey is possible? For example, Charing Cross (NR) to Moorgate (LU) is possible by changing at London Bridge.
4. In the case where no fares exist between two stations, how does it determine the charge to apply? I was assuming incomplete journeys but saw otherwise, which customer service cannot explain.
4.1. How does intermediate touches (OSI / pink-reader) factor into the decision?
4.1.1. In the example in 3, what differences would it make if the customer made an OSI at Farringdon / London Bridge, versus not making any?
4.1.2. In the example in 3, What differences would it make if the customer travelled to Stratford, touched the pink reader, and travelled back, without exiting the system?
Please share the exact rules, including any exceptions, as implemented by the current Oyster / contactless system, together with any defining or explanatory documents that cover relevant topics.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-1357-2425
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 27th July 2024 asking for information about Pay As You Go fares.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
I can confirm that we hold the information you require. Your questions are answered in turn below:
Question 1. How does it determine which zones / fare scale apply to a journey?
Answer: When a customer touches in / out, the system recognises the start and end station, determining the journey. There may a number possible routes for a journey, and the fare may differ accordingly. Every journey has a default route attributed and this will be the fare charged - unless intermediate validations demonstrate a specific route was taken with an alternative fare. In general, most fares will be based on the modes used and zones the route passes through – but this is not a universal rule and some journeys will be priced individually.
Question 1.1. If that is based on some assumed routes, how are those routes determined?
Answer: For an alternative route to apply to a journey, the card being used must be ‘seen’ somewhere else by the network between touching in and touching out. This can be as part of a relevant OSI (out of station interchange) or when touched on a relevant pink reader. This allows the system to know (for example) that the customer has made the journey via a route that avoids travel through Zone 1 – and the cheaper fare will be charged accordingly. If the card is not seen by the network at a relevant point between touching in and out, the default route applies. The alternative routes are published in the Single Fare Finder (SFF).
Question 1.2. How do intermediate touches (OSI / pink-reader) factor into the decision?
Answer: See answers above. Question 1.2.1. If a customer proceeds with an 'unexpected' route, as reflected in an OSI or pink-reader touch not covered by the default zones / fare scale, how will the system adjust the charge?
Answer: If the customer uses an OSI or a pink reader that is not relevant to the journey, it won’t have any impact on the fare charged. Touching a pink reader should not ever increase a fare.
Question 2. Under what circumstances are there 'avoid Zone 1' fares between two stations?
Answer: When there is a reasonable journey that the system is able to recognise from the sequence of validations, an alternative route will be available avoiding Zone 1.
Question 2.1 How are the checkpoint stations determined?
Answer: It is not entirely clear what is meant by “checkpoint” – but passengers will need to include a relevant OSI or pink reader.
Question 3. Under what circumstances are fares missing between stations (as in Single fare finder) while a journey is possible? For example, Charing Cross (NR) to Moorgate (LU) is possible by changing at London Bridge.
Answer: In some cases routes are not shown on SFF because the journey is unreasonable, but occasionally they may be omitted because the wrong flag has been set. As there are now more than one million PAYG journeys in the database, the flags are not perfect. We always consider any requests we receive to add journeys flagged to us as missing.
Question 4. In the case where no fares exist between two stations, how does it determine the charge to apply? I was assuming incomplete journeys but saw otherwise, which customer service cannot explain.
Answer: PAYG fares are set for every possible journey (even the most unlikely ones) but some are not published.
Question 4.1. How does intermediate touches (OSI / pink-reader) factor into the decision?
Answer: It is not clear what this question is asking / what information is being requested.
Question 4.1.1. In the example in 3, what differences would it make if the customer made an OSI at Farringdon / London Bridge, versus not making any?
Answer: An OSI does not exist between Farringdon / London Bridge, so it is not a possible scenario.
Question 4.1.2. In the example in 3, What differences would it make if the customer travelled to Stratford, touched the pink reader, and travelled back, without exiting the system?
Answer: That would depend on the route / modes proposed for the leg to Stratford, but we doubt there is a scenario where using the pink reader would make any difference.
Question 5: Please share the exact rules, including any exceptions, as implemented by the current Oyster / contactless system, together with any defining or explanatory documents that cover relevant topics.
Answer: This information is exempt from disclosure under section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information, which applies where release of information would prejudice commercial interests (be it TfL or any other body). We are not willing to share detailed information, outside of that already in the public domain about fares on the TfL network (available via our website here:https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/find-fares), that would jeopardise the revenue protection of both TfL and train operating companies. There are many settings and policies applied to Pay As You Go (PAYG) travel that are designed to protect revenue and it is very much in the public interest to do so. To publish further detail of these in addition to the answers given above and the information on our website would negate their purpose. Accordingly, publishing the detailed rules and documentation presents a risk to TfL’s revenue and also to the revenue of the Train Operating Companies that are part of the PAYG arrangements, hence the section 43 exemption is engaged
The application of the s43(2) exemption is subject to consideration of the ‘Public Interest Test’, to determine whether the greater public interest rests in the exemption applying or not. We recognise the need for openness and transparency in the operation of our business, and the fact you have requested the information is in itself an argument for release. However, TfL also has a duty to consider the public purse in the operation of our business, given we are largely funded by public money. In this instance we believe that the greater public interest rests in the exemption applying, to ensure that passengers pay the correct fare and TfL does not lose revenue that is due. This stance is further supported by the fact that, as referenced above, guidance for passengers on the fares charged and use of Pay As You Go are already published on the TfL website.
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
