Surbiton Forum

The Surrey Comet reports that the new trains introduced by SWT are much heavier than their predecessors and are causing problems and delays as they are too heavy for the existing track, see http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/localnews/display.var.1655106.0.heavy_trains_cause_delays.php.

The present writer believes that they were tested for all sorts of things before being brought into service. Evidently suitability to run on existing British track would seem not to have been one of them. Is this a consequence of the separation of track providers from train operators 14 years ago. Sir John Major disclosed in a recent interview that his first instinct had been to  keep responsibility for track and rolling stock in the same hands and privatise both together (as had been the case on railways from 1825 to 1947). Perhaps he should have stuck to his initial idea rather than letting the experts dissuade him from following it……..

It seems that TfL are launching a new discount scheme on travel fares for people on income support. The following should show who is eligible and how they can apply.

“How Londoners can apply:

Bus and Tram Discount Card application forms are available at all Post Office ® branches in Greater London.

Application forms and leaflets will also be issued at a number of events across London. The form will also be available to download from Transport for London’s website: www.tfl.gov.uk/discountcard

Applicants must live in a London Borough to qualify for the concession.

The application form contains details on the action to be taken by the applicant. The applicant must supply two passport type photos for each application. Completed application forms must be taken in person by the applicant to a Post Office® branch in London where the application and evidence of eligibility will be checked and the Bus and Tram Discount Card issued.

Applicants must produce proof of eligibility in the form of an Income Support letter from the Department for Work and Pensions or Jobcentre Plus, and evidence of identity such as a passport, driving licence or bank card. Other acceptable proofs of identity are listed on the application form. If the letter from the Department for Work and Pensions or Job Centre Plus is more than three months old it must be supported by a bank statement issued within the past three months showing that payments are still being made. If the Income Support is paid by cheque, the cheque can be shown instead, together with the original Income Support letter.

Obtaining the discount:

On presentation of the Bus and Tram Discount Card at an Oyster Ticket Stop, the discount will be loaded onto the applicant’s existing Oyster card, or they will be able to obtain a new Oyster card in the normal way. A £3 deposit will be payable for the issue of a new Oyster card, unless a 7 Day, monthly or longer period Bus Pass season ticket is being bought at the same time.

The Bus and Tram Discount Card serial number will be loaded onto the Oyster card. Holders must register their Oyster card at this point if they have not already done so, supplying a password to secure access to their Oyster data.

Continuing Eligibility:

If the concession holder is still in receipt of Income Support when the Bus and Tram Discount Card expires, they may apply for a new Bus and Tram Discount Card at the Post Office as for a first application, and then have the discount renewed on their accompanying Oyster card.

If the concession holder ceases to be in receipt of Income Support before their Bus and Tram Discount Card expires, they may continue to benefit from the discount until the expiry date on their Bus and Tram Discount Card. It would therefore be quite legitimate in these circumstances for a Bus and Tram Discount Card to be used for journeys to work.“

This may seem rather complicated but it comes from Mayor Livingstone, so we’ve passed it on verbatim.