A few days ago, Ken Livingstone's monopoly transport provider, TfL, made a press announcement which was heavily picked up around the world saying that Oyster Card are to go on sale in India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Spain, Portugal and the US via VisitBritain online shops.Can anyone smell a junket coming on? What exactly is wrong with selling Oyster Cards at the airports and train stations? Why such far flung reaches as well? According to the Office of National Statistics the USA is the only nation in the top five for inbound tourism that is also on TfL's list.
You have to then ask yourself why start issuing Oyster Cards out in places like India, Hong Kong and Singapore? I expect that in the next few months there will be a few "fact-finding missions" to these far flung reaches by TfL staffers at the London taxpayers expense.
However, something else that the reports say is that these pre-pay Oyster cards will be based upon the local currency for where they are purchased. So a card bought in India will have Ruppees put on it and people will not have to worry about "Exchange Rates". What does that imply for pricing?
Ever feel like you've been cheated?
3 comments:
Don't we all have enough credit cards as it is? I thought we were meant to be concerned about increased debt and people living beyond their means.
Along with getting paid in Venezualan oil (notorious for its viscosity) this is just another "Ken taking the piss" story. A half-decent poster campaign would do for Ken.
If Indians don't need to worry about exchange rates, then we should buy (and charge) a card in India. I for one have a few Indian friends....
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