Waiting for Lunchtime

Oyster card rant

Gah, why is it so hard for people to learn to use their Oyster cards correctly? Every morning without fail I see people tutting and cursing because the tube barriers have refused to let them through, but 9 times out of 10 it's due to their own inability to use their oyster correctly.

As a hand-written sign at my local station said years ago when Oysters were first introduced:

Remember, Oyster cards are plinky-plonky, not swipey-wipey.

Maybe a little whimsical but it makes the point perfectly. In my experience Oyster cards work every time without fail, as long as you follow a couple of simple rules.

• Always put the card flat and fully on the reader, don't hold it at an angle or with half the card hanging off the side.


• Keep the card there without moving it for a couple of seconds so that the reader and card can communicate successfully.
  

And that's it! Not too hard really, and it means you just go straight through the gates without any issues. The more you swipe your card around or jab angrily at the reader, the more likely you are to not get through.

posted by Iain @ 09:36