Changing from paper ticket to Oyster at Richmond

[mike95]

Hi,

Sorry to make my first post a probably stupid question but ...

I commute from Ascot to Camden 3 days a week (so it's not worth getting a season ticket). Currently, I have been going Ascot - Waterloo then using the tube with Oyster to Camden Town. However I have realised that I could save quite a bit by changing at Richmond and then getting the overground to Camden Road.

Looking at the options, the cheapest way seems to be to buy a return Ascot - Richmond and then use Oyster for the overground section. So my question is: would I need to exit at the barriers at Richmond with my paper ticket and then re-enter on the Oyster card (and vice-versa in the evenings) - even though the platforms are right next to each other?

When I have travelled through Richmond I see that there is a card reader on the platform but I'm not sure if this is just a "route validator". Can it also be used to start or complete an Oyster journey? Does anyone know how this works at Richmond?

Thanks in advance.

 

[W-on-Sea]

Hi,



When I have travelled through Richmond I see that there is a card reader on the platform but I'm not sure if this is just a "route validator". Can it also be used to start or complete an Oyster journey? Does anyone know how this works at Richmond?

If it's a yellow validator, yes. If it's pink, no. (I'm not familiar with the situation at Richmond, but this is the general rule at such interchanges).

 

[dan_atki]

If it's a yellow validator, yes. If it's pink, no. (I'm not familiar with the situation at Richmond, but this is the general rule at such interchanges).

I have a distinct feeling the Oyster readers on the paid side of the barriers are all pink Route Validators - certainly the ones at the entrance to platforms 2 and 3 are.

 

[Mojo]

If it's a yellow validator, yes. If it's pink, no. (I'm not familiar with the situation at Richmond, but this is the general rule at such interchanges).

I changed at Richmond from SWT back in August and don't remember seeing any yellow standalone validators and had to lean over the gateline to touch in. I thought this was quite unusual as at other stations with gatelines where one would be expected to change from BR services outside the zones to TfL/BR services where PAYG is valid I tend to come across yellow readers (by no means do I have comprehensive experience of this) in the "paid" area of the station.

So to answer the OP, yes, when using Oyster PAYG to change at Richmond you will have to either exit using your paper ticket and re-enter using Oyster, or just lean over the barrier and touch in. On the way home you can just touch your card on the reader for the exit gate and then walk away, you don't need to walk through the barrier and re-enter with your paper ticket.

 

[swt_passenger]

It's ridiculous that they aren't consistent about yellow reader availability.

IIRC if you do the similar SWT > District Line transfer at Wimbledon they do still have yellow platform validators for people interchanging and starting an Oyster journey. It isn't even consistent in a single TOC's area

Then there's places like NewCross Gate and London Bridge where platform validators are still there but switched off...