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Tom Edwards
Transport correspondent, London
Oyster card empire could include Hertfordshire
The Oyster card could be in use in Hertfordshire in 2012
I've learnt talks are under way to extend the Oyster card scheme to train stations in Hertfordshire.
The move could mean commuters will be able to use the Oyster card on First Capital Connect services as far out as St Albans, Welwyn Garden City and Hertford North.
The talks are between the Department for Transport (DfT), First Capital Connect (FCC) and Transport for London (TfL) and they could mean Oyster being introduced next year.
It would mean the creation of a wider Zone 9 and, if FCC joins in, it could spread elsewhere.
Most of the time Oyster means the cheapest single fare and it's quick and convenient. However, a season ticket might still work out cheaper, depending on the pricing.
It certainly shows you that some train companies like Oyster and don't see it as a threat to their revenues.
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Comment number 1.
Kit Green12th September 2011 - 16:31
Tom, as a transport correspondent you really should use the correct "rail station" or "railway station". This is the BBC and not The Daily Star. Or have the BBC guidelines been dumbed down?
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Comment number 2.
Michael12th September 2011 - 16:46
Is the wider zone 9 something you have learned, or just speculation on your part?
Accepting Oyster as a payment system does not necessitate joining the zonal system. c2c services already use Oyster as far as Grays but, as with Watford Junction, the stations in Thurrock are not in any zone but instead "special fares apply".
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Comment number 3.
Mike Whitaker12th September 2011 - 17:07
Considering that the outermost zone on all those lines is currently zone 6, I'd say that talk of zone 9 is probably journalistic speculation. The news is definitely to be welcomed, although I hope that they do it properly this time. Passengers from the Grays stations can only use pay-as-you-go on their Oyster cards. If they want a season, even a travelcard season, it has to be on paper.
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Comment number 4.
tomedwards12th September 2011 - 17:41
Thanks for the posts. No wasn't speculation - was what was I told the plan could be. Zone 9 goes out that way already to Amersham Chesham etc so it seemed to make sense. But yes you can have Oyster outside the zonal system so none of this definite.
Kit - I'm afraid you are trying to hold back the tide there. Most train companies now use that phrase and language changes.
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Comment number 5.
Michael13th September 2011 - 10:00
Thanks for the clarification, Tom.
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