Zone 1 pricing for Journey's that don't enter Zone 1
Request ID: FOI-1971-2425 Date published: 26 September 2024
You asked
Good Afternoon, I am making a request regarding the charging for journeys made exclusively (from my understanding) within Zone 2 but where on some occassions a higher price is levied.
Example 1: Parsons Green to Dalston Kingsland (District Line to West Brompton - changing to overground and tapping the pink reader) is charged at £1.90 in peak time - Zone 2 to Zone 2 - not going into Zone 1
Example 2: Parsons Green to Denmark Hill (District Line to West Brompton - changing to overground and tapping the pink reader and changing at Clapham Junction for onward overground to Denmark Hills) is charged at £1.90 in peak time - Zone 2 to Zone 2 - not going into Zone 1
Example 3: Putney to Denmark Hill (National Rail to Clapham Junction and changing to Overground to Denmark Hill) is charged at £2.90 in peak time - Zone 2 to Zone 2.
In example 3 - why is this fare higher when all stations the trains pass through are zone 2 stations but the fare is charged as if "entering" zone 1?
Shouldn't there be an option to tap on the pink card reader at Clapham Junction in example 3 to maintain the Zone 2 only fare price?
Over the course of a year - this increase in journey cost can add up but when not entering zone 1 it is hard to reconcile.
Is this something you can provide clarity on or a suggestion for how the example 3 journey can be the same price as all Zone 2 only journeys.
Many Thanks,
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-1971-2425
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 18th September 2024. Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
Specifically you asked:
“Good Afternoon, I am making a request regarding the charging for journeys made exclusively (from my understanding) within Zone 2 but where on some occasions a higher price is levied.
Example 1: Parsons Green to Dalston Kingsland (District Line to West Brompton - changing to overground and tapping the pink reader) is charged at £1.90 in peak time - Zone 2 to Zone 2 - not going into Zone 1 Example 2: Parsons Green to Denmark Hill (District Line to West Brompton - changing to overground and tapping the pink reader and changing at Clapham Junction for onward overground to Denmark Hills) is charged at £1.90 in peak time - Zone 2 to Zone 2 - not going into Zone 1 Example 3: Putney to Denmark Hill (National Rail to Clapham Junction and changing to Overground to Denmark Hill) is charged at £2.90 in peak time - Zone 2 to Zone 2.
In example 3 - why is this fare higher when all stations the trains pass through are zone 2 stations but the fare is charged as if "entering" zone 1?
Shouldn't there be an option to tap on the pink card reader at Clapham Junction in example 3 to maintain the Zone 2 only fare price?
Over the course of a year - this increase in journey cost can add up but when not entering zone 1 it is hard to reconcile.
Is this something you can provide clarity on or a suggestion for how the example 3 journey can be the same price as all Zone 2 only journeys.”
I can confirm that we hold the information you require.
The scenarios you describe are not a question of the fares being priced as via Zone 1.
In the first two examples, the journeys you cite are made using TfL services only and are charged TfL set fares.
In the third example, as you note, the journey from Putney to Denmark Hill uses both National Rail and TfL services. The fare for this journey is set by the Rail Delivery Group, not TfL. The South Western Rail fare to travel just one stop from Putney to Wandsworth Town is £2.90 in the peak (a journey made entirely in Zone 2, towards Denmark Hill), and so the fare for a journey from PutneytoDenmark Hill is £2.90.
Note that a journey from Putney to Denmark Hill via Zone 1 on National Rail and London Underground services would be charged a fare of £5.60 in the peak.
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
