Massive expansion of Oyster PAYG

Big expansion to the Oyster PAYG 'network' in the New Year. Here's National Rail's map showing Oyster PAYG on National Rail, updated with the changes:

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/london/Oyster_jan_2010.pdf

And the ATOC London Connections Map anticipates the change in its December 2009 version, using the device of a red dash-dot line to show the boundary of the area where Oyster PAYG will be available, which is not quite the same as the boundary of zone 6.

TfL have produced their own map showing the changes - it's here - http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/tickets/oyster-rail-services.pdf. I like the way this map is colour coded by the mainline termini and ignores this week's TOC names, but I wish TfL and ATOC (via FWT) weren't producing their own maps with very similar purposes.

I had trouble finding Oyster info on the National Rail site by using menus and links. Here are a couple of pages I've happened upon by luck or found by searching for "oyster".

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/london/oystercard.html

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/london/index_custom.html

Richmond Station

Richmond station is a National Rail run station served by the Underground (like Barking) it has seven platforms (cf Barking's 8) of which 2 are through and 5 terminal (Barking 2 terminal, 6 through). Richmond station's train information board includes district line trains alongside National Rail ones, rather than pretending that they don't exist as c2c officially seem to do a lot of the time at Barking. Admittedly there are a lot more Underground trains at Barking, but the failure to integrate the staion shows up in comparison with Richmond.

Car free

Check out http://www.giveupyourcar.com/ and the associated http://www.thecaraddiction.com/ to read about how to avoid owning a car and the advantages that can bring to your life and wallet.

"New" TfL information number

TfL's website says "Get journey information in a flash by calling our new, voice-activated telephone service on 0843 222 1234" but calling 08 numbers is more expensive from most phone lines.

Say no to 0870 is a good website for finding the geographic "connect numbers" for 08 NTS (Number Translation Service) numbers

The entry for 0843 222 1234 gives two alternatives - 020 7222 1234 - TfL's main number and 020 7222 1200 - a lesser known but still long-standing number which (it says) connects through to the same place as 7222 1234 option 2. I haven't tested this.

Barking & Gospel Oak Line

According to December 2009's Modern Railways magazine, "Signalling enhancements on the Gospel Oak to Barking Line were completed on [Saturday] 14 November 2009, equipping the route with extra capacity to allow it to act as a diversionary route for for freight when the main North London line is blockaded next year.

The Gospel Oak - Barking service currently comprises two trains per hour in each direction [no it doesn't - Ed]. It was planned to double that frequency in the December timetable this year, but this has been put off until My next year for two reasons. First, the freight diversions from ... next year's blockade [see above] will require considerable line capacity. Second, the new diesel trains ... are running late in construction".

I've been the victim of a higher number of cancelled trains recently. I wonder if this coincides with the "signalling enhancements"?

Don't be confused though - according to TfL's publicity there will still be closures on the B and GO "until 2011" - see http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/livetravelnews/realtime/rail/rail-all-future.html.

Transport software

http://www.mobexx.co.uk/content/software

I don't plug products for commercial reasons, but I cam across an advertorial for this company's bus network management software and just found it interesting to read about. Going to their website I notice they offer a turn-key package for taxis too.

If we are to tap in to the advantages of cars as transport, whilst minimising their negative effects, on thing we don't want is a million and one minicab firms each with their own phone number / controller and each only willing and able to dispatch one of their own vehicles. I don't know what scalability the mobexx software has, but an integrated taxi/minicab service for London (or even on a larger scale) makes sense.

Re-use those tetra paks

http://www.bicycology.org.uk/tetra_pak.htm

Here's a Blue Peterish "make" - Tetra Pak becomes wallet/purse

Barking & Gospel Oak Line

It looks like the weekend disruption on the B&GO will continue for at least another year (see news below). I really can't work out what it is they're doing that's taking so long - and we had a recent spate of signal problems (!) and train failures. It was like the old days. I don't know why technicians haven't improved the bit of track just outside Barking where the train jolts, nearly throwing people over. I have reported it but I'm just ignored.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/livetravelnews/realtime/rail/rail-all-future.html

"LONDON OVERGROUND PLANNED CLOSURES ON GOSPEL OAK - BARKING LINE: To enable the running of more frequent and reliable services across London, on time for the Olympics in 2012, there will be temporary closures on various lines of the Overground network. TfL will run two rail replacement bus services an hour calling at all affected stations in both directions.

The first set of improvements, to enable the running of 4 trains per hour will take place at weekends on the Gospel Oak to Barking line until 2011 during which time there will be a reduced service most weekends.

LONDON OVERGROUND PLANNED CLOSURES ON RICHMOND - STRATFORD LINE: In addition to this, further works are scheduled to take place on most Sundays until 2011 on the Richmond to Stratford line. TfL will also run a rail replacement bus service during these times.

There will be an extended period of line closure between GOSPEL OAK - STRATFORD in the first half of 2010. Dates are still to be confirmed."

Barking Station

As most people will know, Barking made it into the worst 5 stations in England and Wales. The full report from which that information is taken is here

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/passenger/stations/betterrailstations/

Rumours are spreading that the Barking Dog will be closing to make way for redevelopment, but 'better stations' speaks of £50 million to spend on 10 stations - noty enough to rebuild Barking. The council has a master plan for the station quarter, of course, but whether developers are waiting in the wings I don't know.

Axe Street Cycle Lane

I'm pleased to report a small but welcome campaigning victory. Axe Street, Barking was made one way in the 1970s. A few years ago, the one way restriction was partly lifted to make things easier for construction traffic for the many new buildings in or near the street. A few weeks ago, I objected to a plan to re-introduce 1 way working, saying that one way streets are against the council's policy of promoting cycling. As a result the council has offered to install a cycle lane to allow cycling in the opposite direction to the general traffic flow.