Oyster cards on buses

This is probably a silly oyster-noobie question, but I'm finding the tfl
online advice clear as mud.

I only use oyster on the buses - so what happens when my funds run out?
Firstly, auto-top up doesn't work with buses, and secondly when I
tries to add funds online, it said I would have to activate the added
funds at a Tube or DLR station. Is this right? Can't you add funds online?

Help much appreciated

CC

On Tue, 15 Aug 2006 09:33:25 +0100, Courtney Cong wrote:
[color=blue]
>This is probably a silly oyster-noobie question, but I'm finding the tfl
>online advice clear as mud.
>
>I only use oyster on the buses - so what happens when my funds run out?[/color]

You have to go to a Tube station or Oyster Ticket Stop to top it up.
Bus stops usually have a map showing the nearest locations.

In the meantime, you'll have to pay the £1.50 cash fare.

On Tue, 15 Aug 2006 09:33:25 +0100, Courtney Cong wrote:
[color=blue]
>This is probably a silly oyster-noobie question, but I'm finding the tfl
>online advice clear as mud.
>
>I only use oyster on the buses - so what happens when my funds run out?[/color]

You have to go to a Tube station or Oyster Ticket Stop to top it up.
Bus stops usually have a map showing the nearest locations.

In the meantime, you'll have to pay the £1.50 cash fare.

On Tue, 15 Aug 2006 09:33:25 +0100, Courtney Cong
<myscreamingblabbyloofah@aharrharr.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>This is probably a silly oyster-noobie question, but I'm finding the tfl
>online advice clear as mud.
>
>I only use oyster on the buses - so what happens when my funds run out?[/color]

You get a double bleep from the reader when you try to "touch in", and
the driver *should* call you back and ask you to buy a ticket.
[color=blue]
> Firstly, auto-top up doesn't work with buses, and secondly when I
>tries to add funds online, it said I would have to activate the added
>funds at a Tube or DLR station. Is this right? Can't you add funds online?
>[/color]
The only way to add funds/a ticket to an Oystercard is by touching it to
a reader. [1]

When you place an order online, you have to nominate a station to
collect the ticket/top-up from, and your card gets updated when you pass
through the barrier there.

HTH,

Barry

[1] Even for auto top-up, as your card doesn't just randomly decide to
add funds as you're walking along the road ;)
--
Barry Salter, barry at southie dot me dot uk
Read uk.* newsgroups? Read uk.net.news.announce!

On Tue, 15 Aug 2006 09:33:25 +0100, Courtney Cong
<myscreamingblabbyloofah@aharrharr.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>This is probably a silly oyster-noobie question, but I'm finding the tfl
>online advice clear as mud.
>
>I only use oyster on the buses - so what happens when my funds run out?[/color]

You get a double bleep from the reader when you try to "touch in", and
the driver *should* call you back and ask you to buy a ticket.
[color=blue]
> Firstly, auto-top up doesn't work with buses, and secondly when I
>tries to add funds online, it said I would have to activate the added
>funds at a Tube or DLR station. Is this right? Can't you add funds online?
>[/color]
The only way to add funds/a ticket to an Oystercard is by touching it to
a reader. [1]

When you place an order online, you have to nominate a station to
collect the ticket/top-up from, and your card gets updated when you pass
through the barrier there.

HTH,

Barry

[1] Even for auto top-up, as your card doesn't just randomly decide to
add funds as you're walking along the road ;)
--
Barry Salter, barry at southie dot me dot uk
Read uk.* newsgroups? Read uk.net.news.announce!

On Tue, 15 Aug 2006 09:33:25 +0100, Courtney Cong
<myscreamingblabbyloofah@aharrharr.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>This is probably a silly oyster-noobie question, but I'm finding the tfl
>online advice clear as mud.
>
>I only use oyster on the buses - so what happens when my funds run out?
> Firstly, auto-top up doesn't work with buses, and secondly when I
>tries to add funds online, it said I would have to activate the added
>funds at a Tube or DLR station. Is this right? Can't you add funds online?
>
>Help much appreciated
>
>CC[/color]

Auto top-up does work on buses, from about a month ago. My card was
recently topped up on the 323 - must be the most that route has ever
taken on a single journey, I reckon.

Al Holmes

On Tue, 15 Aug 2006 09:33:25 +0100, Courtney Cong
<myscreamingblabbyloofah@aharrharr.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>This is probably a silly oyster-noobie question, but I'm finding the tfl
>online advice clear as mud.
>
>I only use oyster on the buses - so what happens when my funds run out?
> Firstly, auto-top up doesn't work with buses, and secondly when I
>tries to add funds online, it said I would have to activate the added
>funds at a Tube or DLR station. Is this right? Can't you add funds online?
>
>Help much appreciated
>
>CC[/color]

Auto top-up does work on buses, from about a month ago. My card was
recently topped up on the 323 - must be the most that route has ever
taken on a single journey, I reckon.

Al Holmes

On Tue, 15 Aug 2006 09:33:25 +0100, Courtney Cong
<myscreamingblabbyloofah@aharrharr.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>This is probably a silly oyster-noobie question, but I'm finding the tfl
>online advice clear as mud.
>
>I only use oyster on the buses - so what happens when my funds run out?
> Firstly, auto-top up doesn't work with buses, and secondly when I
>tries to add funds online, it said I would have to activate the added
>funds at a Tube or DLR station. Is this right? Can't you add funds online?
>
>Help much appreciated
>
>CC[/color]
I can find no reference, but I'm sure someone in this group mentioned
fairly recently that auto topup was to be introduced on buses.

Did I imagine it?

On Tue, 15 Aug 2006 09:33:25 +0100, Courtney Cong
<myscreamingblabbyloofah@aharrharr.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>This is probably a silly oyster-noobie question, but I'm finding the tfl
>online advice clear as mud.
>
>I only use oyster on the buses - so what happens when my funds run out?
> Firstly, auto-top up doesn't work with buses, and secondly when I
>tries to add funds online, it said I would have to activate the added
>funds at a Tube or DLR station. Is this right? Can't you add funds online?
>
>Help much appreciated
>
>CC[/color]
I can find no reference, but I'm sure someone in this group mentioned
fairly recently that auto topup was to be introduced on buses.

Did I imagine it?

Al Holmes wrote:[color=blue]
> On Tue, 15 Aug 2006 09:33:25 +0100, Courtney Cong
> <myscreamingblabbyloofah@aharrharr.com> wrote:
>[color=green]
>> This is probably a silly oyster-noobie question, but I'm finding the tfl
>> online advice clear as mud.
>>
>> I only use oyster on the buses - so what happens when my funds run out?
>> Firstly, auto-top up doesn't work with buses, and secondly when I
>> tries to add funds online, it said I would have to activate the added
>> funds at a Tube or DLR station. Is this right? Can't you add funds online?
>>
>> Help much appreciated
>>
>> CC[/color]
>
> Auto top-up does work on buses, from about a month ago.[/color]

I remember someone saying here that this was going to happen. Haven't
tried it myself - there are Oyster-enabled newsagents everywhere! You
can find them by area or postcode here:
<http://www.tfl-ticketlocator.co.uk/>


--
Larry Lard
[email]larrylard@googlemail.com[/email]
The address is real, but unread - please reply to the group

Al Holmes wrote:[color=blue]
> On Tue, 15 Aug 2006 09:33:25 +0100, Courtney Cong
> <myscreamingblabbyloofah@aharrharr.com> wrote:
>[color=green]
>> This is probably a silly oyster-noobie question, but I'm finding the tfl
>> online advice clear as mud.
>>
>> I only use oyster on the buses - so what happens when my funds run out?
>> Firstly, auto-top up doesn't work with buses, and secondly when I
>> tries to add funds online, it said I would have to activate the added
>> funds at a Tube or DLR station. Is this right? Can't you add funds online?
>>
>> Help much appreciated
>>
>> CC[/color]
>
> Auto top-up does work on buses, from about a month ago.[/color]

I remember someone saying here that this was going to happen. Haven't
tried it myself - there are Oyster-enabled newsagents everywhere! You
can find them by area or postcode here:
<http://www.tfl-ticketlocator.co.uk/>


--
Larry Lard
[email]larrylard@googlemail.com[/email]
The address is real, but unread - please reply to the group

> This is probably a silly oyster-noobie question, but I'm finding the tfl[color=blue]
> online advice clear as mud.[/color]

Understandable. They can be a little inconsistent with their info to say
the least.
[color=blue]
> I only use oyster on the buses - so what happens when my funds run out?
> Firstly, auto-top up doesn't work with buses, and secondly when I tries to
> add funds online, it said I would have to activate the added funds at a
> Tube or DLR station. Is this right? Can't you add funds online?[/color]

You have probably read
[url]http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/fares-tickets/oyster/general.asp[/url] which
unfortunately is out of date. Auto top-up now works on buses and at tram
stops and the initial auto top-up instruction can be picked up at tram stops
as well as tube and DLR stations (I'm not sure if season tickets and other
PAYG top-up can also be picked up at tram stops).

Of course if you don't ever use PAYG on tube, DLR or trams then that doesn't
really help much. You are probably best of adding funds at one of the very
many Oyster enabled 'Ticket Stop' shops around Greater London.

I believe you can also now order Oyster cards online that are already
enabled with the auto top-up instruction. You might like to look at that.

G.

> This is probably a silly oyster-noobie question, but I'm finding the tfl[color=blue]
> online advice clear as mud.[/color]

Understandable. They can be a little inconsistent with their info to say
the least.
[color=blue]
> I only use oyster on the buses - so what happens when my funds run out?
> Firstly, auto-top up doesn't work with buses, and secondly when I tries to
> add funds online, it said I would have to activate the added funds at a
> Tube or DLR station. Is this right? Can't you add funds online?[/color]

You have probably read
[url]http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/fares-tickets/oyster/general.asp[/url] which
unfortunately is out of date. Auto top-up now works on buses and at tram
stops and the initial auto top-up instruction can be picked up at tram stops
as well as tube and DLR stations (I'm not sure if season tickets and other
PAYG top-up can also be picked up at tram stops).

Of course if you don't ever use PAYG on tube, DLR or trams then that doesn't
really help much. You are probably best of adding funds at one of the very
many Oyster enabled 'Ticket Stop' shops around Greater London.

I believe you can also now order Oyster cards online that are already
enabled with the auto top-up instruction. You might like to look at that.

G.

"Graham J" <obucket@despammed.com> wrote in message
news:cPiEg.11$2J6.4@newsfe7-win.ntli.net...[color=blue][color=green]
>> This is probably a silly oyster-noobie question, but I'm finding the tfl
>> online advice clear as mud.[/color]
>
> Understandable. They can be a little inconsistent with their info to say
> the least.
>[color=green]
>> I only use oyster on the buses - so what happens when my funds run out?
>> Firstly, auto-top up doesn't work with buses, and secondly when I tries
>> to add funds online, it said I would have to activate the added funds at
>> a Tube or DLR station. Is this right? Can't you add funds online?[/color]
>
> You have probably read
> [url]http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/fares-tickets/oyster/general.asp[/url] which
> unfortunately is out of date. Auto top-up now works on buses and at tram
> stops and the initial auto top-up instruction can be picked up at tram
> stops as well as tube and DLR stations (I'm not sure if season tickets and
> other PAYG top-up can also be picked up at tram stops).
>
> Of course if you don't ever use PAYG on tube, DLR or trams then that
> doesn't really help much. You are probably best of adding funds at one of
> the very many Oyster enabled 'Ticket Stop' shops around Greater London.
>
> I believe you can also now order Oyster cards online that are already
> enabled with the auto top-up instruction. You might like to look at that.[/color]

I'm just looking at adding an auto top up on my PAYG, but it asks for which
station do I want to use. As I don't have a tube near me, I will only be
using buses. Should I just put a default station e.g. Waterloo?

Is there any confirmation about these changes?

Thanks

p.s. also, why is it I cannot use a more normal username on the website?
e.g. my email address?

> I'm just looking at adding an auto top up on my PAYG, but it asks for[color=blue]
> which station do I want to use. As I don't have a tube near me, I will
> only be using buses. Should I just put a default station e.g. Waterloo?[/color]

Your Oyster card needs to be tweaked so that it is recognised as having auto
top-up enabled. In order for this to happen you have to nominate a tube or
DLR station or a tram stop where you will be know you will be using your
Oyster within the next week and it is that which you are being asked for.
When you validate your Oyster on entry to that station your PAYG balance
will be topped up by an amount you nominate when you order auto top-up (you
have to buy some 'manual' top-up at the same time as ordering auto top-up
for some reason) and your Oyster card will be programmed with the auto
top-up instruction. From then on auto top-up will work for you.

The gotcha is, of course, that if you aren't intending to make a tube, DLR
or tram journey using Oyster then you can't get the auto top-up on your
existing card. I had this problem but because I was using the tube now and
again, only with a paper travelcard, I was able to make a short journey
using the Oyster card and get it programmed (and because there was a free
£10 top-up promotion at the time it didn't actually cost me anything).
Another option I know quite a few people use is to touch in at their
nominated station so the card gets programmed and then go straight to the
ticket office and get the journey cancelled.

I seem to remember that TfL belatedly realised this is a bit of a stopper
and that you can now order Oyster cards online with the auto top-up already
enabled. So it might be easiest to just get a new one. Unless of course I
was just dreaming that bit.

On Tue, 15 Aug 2006 16:28:26 +0100, elyob wrote:
[color=blue]
>I'm just looking at adding an auto top up on my PAYG, but it asks for which
>station do I want to use. As I don't have a tube near me, I will only be
>using buses. Should I just put a default station e.g. Waterloo?[/color]

Only if you're prepared to actually visit Waterloo and touch the
barriers there to collect the auto-top-up instruction.

"Graham J" <obucket@despammed.com> wrote in message
news:%VnEg.91$2w1.42@newsfe6-gui.ntli.net...[color=blue][color=green]
>> I'm just looking at adding an auto top up on my PAYG, but it asks for
>> which station do I want to use. As I don't have a tube near me, I will
>> only be using buses. Should I just put a default station e.g. Waterloo?[/color][/color]
[color=blue]
> Another option I know quite a few people use is to touch in at their
> nominated station so the card gets programmed and then go straight to the
> ticket office and get the journey cancelled.
>
> I seem to remember that TfL belatedly realised this is a bit of a stopper
> and that you can now order Oyster cards online with the auto top-up
> already enabled. So it might be easiest to just get a new one. Unless of
> course I was just dreaming that bit.[/color]

I could go for a bike ride over to Richmond, it's a bike ride I often do for
leisure, but I've no use for Oyster on tube etc as I always end up getting a
travelcard and train it into town. So, can get another card or do the turn
up and cancel. Is it possible to redeem my old one (£3 deposit) and transfer
the credit to my new one?

On Tue, 15 Aug 2006 17:57:15 GMT, "Graham J" <obucket@despammed.com>
wrote:
[color=blue][color=green]
>> I'm just looking at adding an auto top up on my PAYG, but it asks for
>> which station do I want to use. As I don't have a tube near me, I will
>> only be using buses. Should I just put a default station e.g. Waterloo?[/color][/color]

Except that you can't at Waterloo. There's nothing on the web site to
explain why to I emailed TfL who replied to say that it was to do with
the Waterloo and City closure and some ongoing work on the gates,
IIRC. Irrelevant in your case, but you did mention Waterloo!
[color=blue]
>Your Oyster card needs to be tweaked so that it is recognised as having auto
>top-up enabled. [...[[/color]

I decided that Auto Top-Up was so useful that I'd plan ahead a bit and
wait until I needed the underground. I didn't expect the walk to
Southwark, but did find two nice pubs and a street of restaurants (at
Southwark) along the way so it wasn't a waste of time...
[color=blue]
> [...]
>I seem to remember that TfL belatedly realised this is a bit of a stopper
>and that you can now order Oyster cards online with the auto top-up already
>enabled. So it might be easiest to just get a new one. Unless of course I
>was just dreaming that bit.[/color]

I ordered mine around the time that the rules changed and you could
top-up on buses. The help pages and the normal text were inconsistent
so I emailed - again - and was told that I'd still have to visit a
station. I *think* this was incorrect advice. Perhaps if you ask
now, they've got their story straight.

Richard.

asdf wrote:[color=blue]
> On Tue, 15 Aug 2006 09:33:25 +0100, Courtney Cong wrote:
>[color=green]
> >This is probably a silly oyster-noobie question, but I'm finding the tfl
> >online advice clear as mud.
> >
> >I only use oyster on the buses - so what happens when my funds run out?[/color]
>
> You have to go to a Tube station or Oyster Ticket Stop to top it up.
> Bus stops usually have a map showing the nearest locations.
>
> In the meantime, you'll have to pay the £1.50 cash fare.[/color]

Its never worked for me. Could this be because I have a season ticket
as well (which is the one that's being used)? Its most tiresome.

Francis

[email]fjmd1a@gmail.com[/email] wrote:
[color=blue]
> asdf wrote:[color=green]
> > On Tue, 15 Aug 2006 09:33:25 +0100, Courtney Cong wrote:
> >[color=darkred]
> > >This is probably a silly oyster-noobie question, but I'm finding the tfl
> > >online advice clear as mud.
> > >
> > >I only use oyster on the buses - so what happens when my funds run out?[/color]
> >
> > You have to go to a Tube station or Oyster Ticket Stop to top it up.
> > Bus stops usually have a map showing the nearest locations.
> >
> > In the meantime, you'll have to pay the £1.50 cash fare.[/color]
>
> Its never worked for me. Could this be because I have a season ticket
> as well (which is the one that's being used)? Its most tiresome.[/color]


What specifically has never worked for you - the auto-topup?

If so have you actually signed up for auto-topup via your online Oyster
account? Once you've done this you need to make a journey that either
starts of finishes at your nominated station within the next 7 days.
Once you've done that auto-topup will be configured on your Oyster
card, and from then on each time your Oyster Pre-Pay balance goes below
£5 it'll be credited with either £20 or £40 (whichever you chose
when you signed up for auto-topup) when you travel by Tube or by bus.