Why have they made it so hard for asylum seekers to get the 16+ zip oyster card?

eskimo26

So we live just outside zone 6 fostering 2 unaccompanied minors [child asylum seekers].

To get there 11-15 card we went to a post office in london and got it all processed.

Now for the 16+ it seems like they only do it online and they are penalizing people without passports, they force you to collect it from on of their travel centers in CENTRAL LONDON and it seems a few of them are even temporarily closed atm.

One of our boys applied for his 16+ through the post office a few months ago so has something changed or did he make a mistake? I just spoke to a london post office and they said they have never processed applications for people outside london.

I went to an outer london station and the lady told me it had ALL moved to online applications including for londoners!

So just very frustrating and confusing.

This seems like a big middle finger to hard working foster carers and child asylum seekers tbh.

Its all very confusing so if anyone can clear it up i'd appreciate it.

Their social workers are pathetic so forget about asking them.

Thanks for any help i'm really peeved off tbh.

The_Groat_Counter

This is the TfL page about 16+ Zip Oyster photocards:
www.tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/students-and-children/16-zip-oyster-photocard

If you go to the "How do I apply?" section, and then go down to the "Living outside London" section, you'll see that if they can't verify the applicants age online (with passport information) then the applicant has to go to a Travel Information Centre with the appropriate documentation proving their age in order to pick up the 16+ Zip card.

This arrangement isn't new - it's been like this for at least five years. Basically a trip into central London or Heathrow to one of the five Travel Information Centres is necessary to collect the cards.

If your other boy applied at the Post Office in person then yes, that was a mistake.

I know you're not a London resident, but perhaps you might consider contacting someone (like the chair or deputy chair) on the London Assembly's transport committee to say how difficult you've found it - they are the ones who hold TfL and the Mayor to account on transport matters.
www.london.gov.uk/moderngov/mgCommitteeDetails.aspx?ID=173

And big respect for what you do.

eskimo26

The_Groat_Counter wrote: »

This is the TfL page about 16+ Zip Oyster photocards:
www.tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/students-and-children/16-zip-oyster-photocard

If you go to the "How do I apply?" section, and then go down to the "Living outside London" section, you'll see that if they can't verify the applicants age online (with passport information) then the applicant has to go to a Travel Information Centre with the appropriate documentation proving their age in order to pick up the 16+ Zip card.

This arrangement isn't new - it's been like this for at least five years. Basically a trip into central London or Heathrow to one of the five Travel Information Centres is necessary to collect the cards.

If your other boy applied at the Post Office in person then yes, that was a mistake.

I know you're not a London resident, but perhaps you might consider contacting someone (like the chair or deputy chair) on the London Assembly's transport committee to say how difficult you've found it - they are the ones who hold TfL and the Mayor to account on transport matters.
www.london.gov.uk/moderngov/mgCommitteeDetails.aspx?ID=173

And big respect for what you do.

Thank you.

So is it worth going through the post office anyway? Because the other cards came through fine.

I don't mind going into london, yes it's not ideal to waste a day when i have cfs and need all my energy for my full time college course then waste more energy trying to get the cost of my travelcard back from the council [like getting blood from a stone] but it's part of the fostering.

What i find frustrating is the complete lack of clarity. I will contact someone in the london assembly and let them know how poor i find this.

It's horribly discriminatory against asylum seekers, who else can't get a passport? Tourists that want one will be around central london anyway.

I just think it's horrible, we can do all the work for my foster brother but what about asylum seeking families? They speak no english, they are literally on the breadline and they are expected to somehow work out the process, understand the transport system, then find 14 odd pounds to get into london then £10 pounds for the card...?

I'm seeing this more and more were the poorest are losing out on these kinds of discounts because they can't afford the outlay. It's like thse food banks a lot of people in more secluded areas can't afford the transport to get there! So its a decision between getting the food or using that money to pay your bills.

Also two of the offices are temporary closed at the moment, the whole thing as usual is a shambles. Bah. :mad::rotfl:

wealdroam

eskimo26 wrote: »

It's horribly discriminatory against asylum seekers, who else can't get a passport?

I can see no discrimination against asylum seekers.

If there is any discrimination, it is against all people who do not have a passport, and there is nothing illegal in that.

Buellguy

Sounds like another good reason for me to avoid London again!!!!

eskimo26

Just spoke to my other foster brother, he says he didn't apply through the post office but picked up a form there and sent it off by post, so now there's another method that may or may not be relevant to the issue.

Perhaps when they told me everything is online now they meant the forms are no longer available through the post office?

We'll find out tomorrow and update.