The Work Programme New Thread

Kirri

KevInChester wrote: »

If you are on JSA you can get a lot of courses fully remitted payment wise. As for ECDL you may well be able to just do the Powerpoint module. Otherwise pick up a few books from the library and go through them, usually a few decent easy to follow books available.

My qualifications ruled me out before when I asked though things are changing all the time - though they don't have the discretionary payments like they used to and things were difficult before to get stuff like this, now it seems impossible. Anyway, just wondered what the WP would provide as I'll be under them soon. Unfortunately I don't have the Windows version of PP at home so need it to be a course rather than a book.

AP007

Kirri > I emailed TFL to asked about the PAYG discounted bus Oyster and they say as I suggested you can only have the PAYG bus discount on one card and if you want to use the tube/train you have to buy another Oyster card at £5 from the station and use that top top up at regular prices.

This is then going to set me back another £5 which I am sure the Work Programme know nothing about.

Then you can not use a credit card to top up online for the payo discount as they can only load it at certain shops or stations.

On top of that since the station ONLY lets you top up £5 as a minimum it seems not even worth the bother.

*sigh*

Kirri

AP007 wrote: »

Kirri > I emailed TFL to asked about the PAYG discounted bus Oyster and they say as I suggested you can only have the PAYG bus discount on one card and if you want to use the tube/train you have to buy another Oyster card at £5 from the station and use that top top up at regular prices.

I'll test that bit out this week ^ as my JCP train discount card runs out and I'll be getting just the bus discount loaded on my Oyster again instead - after I've loaded it I will need to get the tube and then the train so I can test all of them out.

I think the TFL employee maybe didn't understand it as you top up with whatever amount regardless, it's just the discount that is applied to the card that deducts and gives the reduced fares on the bus when it's actually used.

I don't get what TFL are saying though as I had the bus discount loaded on my Oyster earlier this year when first unemployed and I was still using PAYG on the trains with the same Oyster card? It just deducted bus fares at the discounted price and train fares at full price, I've never had any problems with it and only ever had the one Oyster.

Will update next week to confirm all ok once I do my trips!

AP007

Kirri wrote: »

I'll test that bit out this week ^ as my JCP train discount card runs out and I'll be getting just the bus discount loaded on my Oyster again instead - after I've loaded it I will need to get the tube and then the train so I can test all of them out.

I think the TFL employee maybe didn't understand it as you top up with whatever amount regardless, it's just the discount that is applied to the card that deducts and gives the reduced fares on the bus when it's actually used.

I don't get what TFL are saying though as I had the bus discount loaded on my Oyster earlier this year when first unemployed and I was still using PAYG on the trains with the same Oyster card? It just deducted bus fares at the discounted price and train fares at full price, I've never had any problems with it and only ever had the one Oyster.

Will update next week to confirm all ok once I do my trips!

I made sure I sent them THREE emails to get the right answer

You can not have TWO lots of PAYG on one Oyster.

You say your card took up half price for the bus and full price for the train/tube so you are saying you only topped up once say £10 and it all deducts from this amount?

1 guy said 'I can confirm that you cannot use a Bus & Tram Discount pass on the Tube. You will need to buy another Oyster card and top it up if you wish to travel on the Tube'

the one before him said '
Thank you for your email.



I can confirm that you'll be use the card to pay as you go for your journeys on the Underground and on trains. You are correct that there is a refundable deposit of £5.00 to be paid on getting a new Oyster card. This deposit is refundable by handing in the Oyster card at any Underground station'

That one above dont even make sense lol

Kirri

Lol maybe TFL have contracted their email service to India, that last one didn't even understand the question you asked!

I had no issues with it! I top up whatever amount ie £5, £10 that is irrelevant how much is topped up on the card, everything deducts from that total amount. Once they load the bus/tram discount on it in the first place it then knows to deduct at half price everytime you get on a bus thereafter (if you look at your online account it doesn't show the discount is against the card on the system we see though they can see if if you ring the helpline). I alternate between buses and trains all the time as I was doing earlier this year on the same Oyster all deducting at the correct rate ie reduced buses or full price trains. I have access to my Oyster online and check the journey history so can check this when I put the new discount card on next week. I rarely use tubes though but will be on that particular day I go to load it as I'm going off somewhere after and coming home by train - I might get a bus after the train to make sure that is working ok too!!

AP007

Kirri wrote: »

Lol maybe TFL have contracted their email service to India, that last one didn't even understand the question you asked!

I had no issues with it! I top up whatever amount ie £5, £10 that is irrelevant how much is topped up on the card, everything deducts from that total amount. Once they load the bus/tram discount on it in the first place it then knows to deduct at half price everytime you get on a bus thereafter (if you look at your online account it doesn't show the discount is against the card on the system we see though they can see if if you ring the helpline). I alternate between buses and trains all the time as I was doing earlier this year on the same Oyster all deducting at the correct rate ie reduced buses or full price trains. I have access to my Oyster online and check the journey history so can check this when I put the new discount card on next week. I rarely use tubes though but will be on that particular day I go to load it as I'm going off somewhere after and coming home by train - I might get a bus after the train to make sure that is working ok too!!

I use the tube as three stops on the tube here takes 6 mins yet the bus at 5p cheaper (Wow) takes near on an hour to get to the same place!

TFL are thick as !!!! and I have had to ask them again.

They do not understand a basic question

AP007

LOL I just emailed my weekly jobs to the WP and I get an out of office mssg saying my bloke is not in till the 7th January but he has confirmed with me a meeting for the 3rd @10am! Seriously they are that thick!

It is meant to be for my review that was meant to be today and he moved it to the 3rd Jan but now seems to be away till the 7th Jan! What a joke this is!

denla

AP007 wrote: »

LOL I just emailed my weekly jobs to the WP and I get an out of office mssg saying my bloke is not in till the 7th January but he has confirmed with me a meeting for the 3rd @10am! Seriously they are that thick!

It is meant to be for my review that was meant to be today and he moved it to the 3rd Jan but now seems to be away till the 7th Jan! What a joke this is!

Don't turn up on the 3rd. If questioned show the email saying he's back on the 7th as evidence.

AP007

denla wrote: »

Don't turn up on the 3rd. If questioned show the email saying he's back on the 7th as evidence.

No I will have to turn up as on the 20th (yes only a few days ago) he mailed me to say the 3rd @10am.

I am amazed (ok not really as they are dim) that 2 working days later he is now not in till the 7th.

donnajunkie

denla wrote: »

Don't turn up on the 3rd. If questioned show the email saying he's back on the 7th as evidence.

i wouldnt risk that.