Ticket machines on B&GO

On 11 September I said the machine at Harringay Green Lanes wouldn't issue pre-paid tickets (ie brought on line from Thetrainline, for example). The option is now there if it wasn't then. I couldn't try it out as some oik has presumably deiberately spilt some kind of fluid all over the machine and the touch screen wasn't responding.

Oyster reader at South Tottenham

There's a new Oyster card reader at South Tottenham station. It isn't working at the time of writing and there's no evidence of a barrier for it to control. Presumably the system will rely on the principle that PAYG passengers will be charged £4 (£5) if they don't swipe in and out.

Bite Card

This is a discount card for food and drink shops in certain stations. See http://www.bitecard.co.uk/. The application form asks for a promotion code. I'm not sure of the relevance of this but http://www.senior-railcard.co.uk/special_offers.htm, http://www.family-railcard.co.uk/special_offers_1.htm and http://www.youngpersons-railcard.co.uk/special_offers.htm give examples.

Oyster PAYG (Prepay) on Freedom Passes

TfL tell me that Oyster Pay As You Go (PAYG, formerly prepay) can't be loaded onto Oystercards containing Freedom Passes. Didn't make any sense to me - so I tried it online. www.oystercard.com recognised by its number that the card contained a freedom pass, but did not restrict what products could be loaded onto it.

This makes much more sense, but I can't accept any responsibility if this doesn't work properly. If it does, however, it means Freedom Pass Holders can access cheaper Oyster Fares outside the time that their Freedom Pass is valid.

New B&GO ticket machines

A new ticket machine is working at Harringay Green Lanes, so I take it others are. It does not seem to be Fastticket compatible (ie able to print tickets ordered on thetrainline.co.uk), neither does it offer any Oyster products, though there is a blanking plate which I suspect may be for an Oyster reader/writer.

The presence of these machines makes the notice on the trains even more nonsensical - it seems to suggest that you must buy your ticket in advance at Gospel Oak or Barking.

Mobile repairs service - Chadwell Heath

Jim Dalton, based in Chadwell Heath, has started a mobile bike repair service. This could be a real lifeline given the dwindling supply of bike shops in the area.

Contact Jim on +44 7949 883747 / jimdalton24@hotmail.com

New Ticket Machines at Harringay Green Lanes

A new ticket machine is in place at each entrance at street level, but not working as at 10 August. Being at street level makes them suitable for buying tickets to open the gates that must surely come with the introduction of Oyster PAYG (pre-pay) on Sunday November 11 when the line becomes part of the London Overground. The Shere machines have a circular blanking plate, perhaps for the Oyster reader/writer to be fitted later. They will have to be Oyster compatible. The address label gives details of Silverlink, who will cease to be involved from 11 November - so perhaps they'll be brought into service before November.

I believe ticket machines have been installed at other stations along the line.