Oyster for kids

[fandroid]

I met my family for a meal before going to the Kew Christmas lights yesterday. One daughter (based in Walthamstow) had travelled there with son and nephew by rail and had been stopped at a ticket gate and told that the boys (both aged between 5 and 11) should have had child tickets. She had used contactless for herself. They were waved through without further ado, but it does pose the question of what is the best way to give accompanied children the same freedom as adults have in travelling around the whole ( not just TfL) network? One boy is 10 so will need an 11-15 Zip card soon anyway.The other is only 7.

 

[thedbdiboy]

If they live within the London areas it is well worth getting Zip cars even for the 4-11 age range. Saves a lot of hassle.

 

[Hadders]

Under 11s travel free with a fare paying adult on TfL but not National Rail services. I agree that getting Zip Oyster cards is well worth it and saves a load of hassle.

 

[fandroid]

Since posting, I've done a bit of research. I think the main thing is that it requires a change of behaviour - to get the kids to get zip cards and to routinely use them, even when accompanied by an adult. Then no thinking is required except to ensure they are only travelling within zones 1-6.

 

[Haywain]

stopped at a ticket gate and told that the boys (both aged between 5 and 11) should have had child tickets.

As a matter of interest, where did this happen?

 

[fandroid]

As a matter of interest, where did this happen?

I'm not entirely sure that I got the story straight, as it didn't have any impact in terms of penalties. What I did gather was that they travelled to Vauxhall on the Victoria Line and then got an SWR train to Richmond.

 

[Haywain]

I'm not entirely sure that I got the story straight, as it didn't have any impact in terms of penalties. What I did gather was that they travelled to Vauxhall on the Victoria Line and then got an SWR train to Richmond.

They would have needed tickets for the SWR leg, so perhaps at Richmond.

 

[MikeWh]

They would have needed tickets for the SWR leg, so perhaps at Richmond.

Yes, free travel when accompanying an adult is only on TfL services. However, with a zip 5-10 card all fares within zones 1-9 are free (apart from HS1, HEx).

 

[fandroid]

Yes, free travel when accompanying an adult is only on TfL services. However, with a zip 5-10 card all fares within zones 1-9 are free (apart from HS1, HEx).

Thanks. I probably needed confirmation that it's zones 1-9

 

[talldave]

Since posting, I've done a bit of research. I think the main thing is that it requires a change of behaviour - to get the kids to get zip cards and to routinely use them, even when accompanied by an adult. Then no thinking is required except to ensure they are only travelling within zones 1-6.

The earlier you start them, the easier I think it is. Our son was ecstatic at having his own card and being able to "beep" it on buses and at ticket barriers.

If the child doesn't have a passport it's a bit of a faff doing the Post Office ID thing, but it's well worth it. Note that TfL's website incorrectly states that you need a different email address for the photocard website to the Oyster website - you don't.

 

[fandroid]

Can I ask a supplementary?

If the older boy (now 10) were to get a 5-10 Zip card now, is that easily converted into a 11-15 Zip card on his 11th birthday?

 

[James H]

No - they are separate schemes. There's another thread currently running on just that issue.

 

[MikeWh]

Can I ask a supplementary?

If the older boy (now 10) were to get a 5-10 Zip card now, is that easily converted into a 11-15 Zip card on his 11th birthday?

As mentioned, they are separate schemes. The 5-10 zip card only costs £10, so if they are likely to travel enough (on NR services which aren't free) before their 11th birthday to make that worthwhile I'd go fo it. Otherwise you can apply for the 11-15 zip card from 10y11m old.