The smart way to travel (Oyster Card)

Member Name: excelsior81

Product:	Oyster Card
Date:	25/02/09 (63 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Quick and easy to use

Disadvantages: Don't forget to tap out or be charged!

The Oyster Card available for use on the London Underground Network and on many lines into London has changed the way I travel...I now consider myself a 'smart' traveller.

Why do I say this? Well as a commuter, I used to hate having to queue for a paper ticket, that I would invariably lose, rip or misplace. The Oyster card has made my journey easier, quicker and more importantly, cheaper.

Here are some examples:

* A daily travel card used to cost me £15 a day on average or £210 a month. To travel into London now costs me £3.50 each way!

* The oyster card has actually made me healthier. Instead of just jumping on a train or bus, I now look at the price of a single journey (£1) and think if I can walk just as quick - this has proven to be a great idea between Kings Cross and Euston...and saves me loads of money!

* I have registered my card so if it is lost or stolen, I know that my money is protected, this is really great as I...

* am able to put an auto top up on the account so that each week I do not have to queue at a machine, instead it is all done online and is easy!

* The card means I am able to travel all across London and know that I will not be charged more than a travel card fare for the entire day. I used to buy a card to Euston then other tickets on top!

* The card can discreetly be put into your wallet as it is credit card size. The chip inside it also means that you do not have to take it out of your wallet and 'faff' about with it...you simply tap on the oyster reader and away you go....know one gets to see what is inside my wallet!

* If I am running low on credit on the card and there is a queue at the pay station, I can start my journey and pay at the other end, if your card is registered, it will even allow you to go into a small deficit...deducting the fee with your next top up!

Oyster makes travelling so much easier and will eventually reduce congestion across the network in stations (Euston is a nightmare with people lined up to buy paper tickets!) and help tourists to move around quicker as they are now able to buy an Oyster with £10 as soon as they arrive in the UK.

There are plans to roll Oyster out across the country and this is something that I would really support....even in terms of the environment, the card can last a lifetime if looked after properly.

Summary: The best way to travel in London