The London Transport Revolution...Finally

After three years of living in South East London and enduring the ridiculous two-tier transport ticket system, it has been announced by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson and the interestingly-named Transport Secretary Lord Adonis that Oyster pay-as-you-go will be introduced for overground trains from 2nd January 2009. For anybody who lives or regularly visits South East London, this cannot come too soon. To be honest, the fact that this confusing system has been in place for so long shows that the people governing London need to invest time and money into making the daily lives of Londoners easier instead of funding things which are no use to anybody (£400,000 on a certain Olympic logo springs to mind). For example, on Saturday night I travelled from my flat in East Dulwich, over to New Cross to have drinks with friends before we headed to Angel to a club. So instead of being able to do everything with my Oyster, I had to spend money buying a ticket at New Cross Gate station to get to London Bridge where I could connect with the tube. Why? New Cross Gate is in Zone 2, is a highly populated area and is closer to central London than many places on the southern end of the Northern Line such as Tooting or Morden, so why are we penalised it is a 'train' rather than a 'tube'?

It can be argued that forcing passengers to pay for additional tickets to use the trains, particularly in parts South East London where there is either no tube, or the tube is currently being built, widens the divide between North and South London. For example, I have received calls from friends at London Bridge on their way to my flat shouting in disbelief that they are unable to use their Oyster and asking the whereabouts of the ticket machines. And among some North London friends, the mere suggestion of a night out in Brixton or Dulwich is met with exchanged glances and tired sighs and I always give in and end up trekking up to Islington or Camden to pacify them. Is it a coincidence that most of the city's best restaurants and clubs are north of the river. Now, before I am met with protests, I LOVE south London, but it would be nice to get a bit more entertainment here.

As well as benefitting Londoners, this move will also be good for travellers. They can get off the plane at Heathrow or the Eurostar at Gatwick and buy ONE ticket which will take them anywhere in London and not have to figure out the present complicated system which could result a £50 penalty fare if they make one false move. The introduction of the London Overground stations on to the main Oyster map could result in more travellers visiting South London and its landmarks instead of spending their entire visit north of the Embankment. For example, a visit to Dulwich Park instead of Primrose Hill; Friday night at the Amersham Arms instead of the Old Blue Last; seeking vintage in Greenwich instead of Camden or slow food at Blackheath Common instead of Covent Garden.

It's about time xx