Here's my rant for the week, I apologise in advance.
Why oh why do people still use paper tickets on the tube in London? Seriously, I don't get it! Commuting during rush hour is soul destroying enough but what adds to it are people fiddling with their tickets at the gates, holding up the ever growing line behind them.
Just use an oyster card, place it on the reader, gate opens, hey presto. I understand it's a London thing but even if you only visit for a day, it's worth paying the £5 deposit as you will get it back when you hand in your card anyway. And you get better rates.
Since September its been made even easier, you can now use your bank card. Most popular cards like Visa, MasterCard, Maestro and American Express are accepted as long as they display the contactless payment symbol. No need to pre-load money, it comes straight out of your account with no additional fees if your card is connected to a UK account. I've just learned that you can even use your mobile phone to swipe if you have the contactless payment app or special tags and wristbands - I'm afraid I've got no clue how this works so you'll have to do the research on that. Whichever way you twist it, not only are these methods more convenient than queuing at the ticket machine, they will also save you money.
And whilst I'm at it, please, please, please dear London visitor, have a lie in on your holiday instead of travelling before 9.30 am. As someone who has to get to work in the morning I haven't got a choice but to be sandwiched like a sardine underneath the armpits of my fellow commuters, but you have! Why would you do that to yourself when you can have a seat and enough room to breathe an hour later? And the ticket price after 9.30 am also drops substantially - win win situation. I live in Zone 5 and the daily price-capping for Zones 1-5 is £8.50 for off-peak compared to £15.80 for peak. Quite a difference, don't you think?
Sorry, it's been one of those days. Maybe I should retire and move to the country ...
For more info on ticket types and rates visit the Transport for London website.
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