From January 2024, the orange paper ticket that you know and love that is the One Day Travelcard will be discontinued. Instead, you’ll have to use Oyster or Bank Contactless to travel around in central London. So why is this happening? And … how much more money is it going to cost you? I took a trip from Guildford to London with Roger to find out. It’s October 2023, I’m at Guildford Station, and my friend Roger is over there. We’re about to take the 11:34 train to Waterloo. Roger currently has a one-day travel card that will be withdrawn in less than 3 months. We’re going to compare the costs of using his travel card versus using an Oyster card for multiple journeys in London throughout the day. Let’s hop on the train and delve into why this change is happening and what it means for travelers like you.
Introduction
Overview of the One Day Travelcard
The One Day Travelcard has long been a popular choice for travelers exploring London. This orange paper ticket provides unlimited travel on buses, the underground, the Elizabeth Line, national rail services, and trams within specified zones for a single day.
Announcement of discontinuation
However, it is with a heavy heart that we must inform you that the One Day Travelcard will be discontinued from January 2024. This news has left many frequent travelers and tourists wondering how they will navigate around London without their beloved paper ticket.
Replacement with Oyster or Bank Contactless
Fortunately, there will still be convenient options available for traveling around central London. Instead of the One Day Travelcard, you will be able to use either an Oyster card or Bank Contactless payment method. These electronic cards offer a seamless and efficient way to pay for your journeys, eliminating the need for traditional paper tickets.
Geoff Marshall’s video on the topic
To help shed light on the reasons behind this change and investigate the potential impact on travelers, renowned transport enthusiast Geoff Marshall has created an insightful video. Geoff takes a trip with his friend Roger from Guildford to London, discussing the upcoming changes to travel tickets and the impending withdrawal of Roger’s one-day travel card.
Geoff Marshall’s Investigation
Geoff Marshall’s trip with Roger from Guildford to London
Geoff and Roger embark on a journey from Guildford to London to gather firsthand information on the impacts of the discontinuation of the One Day Travelcard. As they make their way to Waterloo, Geoff explains that he has purchased a return ticket, while Roger is still using his one-day travel card.
Discussion on changes to travel tickets
During their train ride, Geoff and Roger delve into a discussion about the reasons behind the changes to travel tickets. They highlight the financial conditions and the need for revenue that led to the decision. In 2021, Transport for London (TfL) received a significant bailout from the government, which came with conditions for cost savings or generating additional revenue. The removal of the one-day travel card is one of the measures implemented by TfL to help balance the books.
Upcoming withdrawal of Roger’s one-day travel card
Roger, who currently holds a one-day travel card, expresses his concerns about the impending withdrawal of this ticket. He explains that the one-day travel card allows him unlimited travel on buses, the underground, the Elizabeth Line, national rail services, and trams within specified zones. However, as of January 2024, he will have to rely on an Oyster card or Bank Contactless payment to make his daily journeys. This change prompts Geoff and Roger to conduct a cost comparison to determine if the new system will be more expensive.
Changes and Impacts
Financial conditions and the need for revenue
The discontinuation of the One Day Travelcard stems from the financial challenges faced by TfL. As a result of the pandemic, TfL received a bailout from the government in 2021. To meet the conditions of the bailout, TfL had to find ways to reduce costs or generate additional revenue. The removal of the one-day travel card is one of the measures aimed at achieving these financial goals.
Comparisons of costs for multiple journeys in London
Geoff and Roger decide to compare the costs of their respective journeys using different ticketing options. Geoff purchases a return ticket to Waterloo and then uses an Oyster card for his remaining journeys in London. Roger continues to use his one-day travel card. By making several trips throughout the day, Geoff and Roger aim to determine if the cost of individual journeys surpasses the cost of the one-day travel card.
The speaker’s total costs exceeding the one-day travel card cost
During their exploration of London, Geoff’s total costs start to exceed the price of Roger’s one-day travel card. This revelation raises questions about the financial implications of the changes. Geoff elaborates that if he were to continue making more journeys, he would reach a point where the total amount spent on individual journeys would surpass the cost of a one-day travel card.
Cap for zones 1 and 2 at £810
Geoff highlights an important aspect of using Oyster or Bank Contactless payment methods in London—the presence of a daily cap. Once a certain spending limit is reached, the system applies a cap, ensuring that travelers do not pay more than a specified amount for their journeys. In the case of zones 1 and 2, the cap is set at £810. This means that even if Geoff’s total costs exceed the cost of a one-day travel card, he would ultimately pay no more than the capped amount.
Dependence of cost comparison on location and number of trips
Geoff and Roger acknowledge that the results of the cost comparison may vary depending on the specific location and number of trips taken. Factors such as the zones traveled, the mode of transportation used, and the frequency of travel can all impact the overall cost. It is important for travelers to consider their individual circumstances and travel patterns when determining which payment method is most cost-effective for them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the discontinuation of the One Day Travelcard presents a significant change for travelers in London. The introduction of Oyster cards and Bank Contactless payment methods provides alternative options for making journeys around central London. While these changes may initially cause some confusion, it is important to understand the reasons behind them, such as TfL’s financial challenges and the need for generating more revenue. By conducting a cost comparison and considering the daily caps on payments, travelers can make informed decisions about which payment method best suits their needs. Despite the discontinuation of the One Day Travelcard, London remains a vibrant and accessible city waiting to be explored.