Are newsagents allowed to make a few bob on Oyster travelcard cash transactions?

trust.no.1

One casualty of the ongoing pandemic is that cash facilities have been withdrawn from London underground ticket machines. It is still possible however to use cash to purchase Oyster topups/tickets at newsagents.

Now one newsagent that I am aware of was charging almost 10% extra for  Oyster travelcard purchase transactions. So for instance a Zone 2 - 5 weekly travelcard costs £36.80 , however the newsagents was charging £40.

I say "was charging" as the newsagents (located within the premises of a tube station) is currently closed.

Yes...Yes.... I know that travelcards can be purchased by credit card at ticket machines. I'm simply curious as to whether newsagents are allowed to make a few bob on cash Oyster transactions in this way.

Andy_L

Were they charging £40 or were they operating a "no change for cash" policy to minimise cash handling?

trust.no.1

Andy_L said:

Were they charging £40 or were they operating a "no change for cash" policy to minimise cash handling?

I'm going by the testimony of a family member. They were told the price of the ticket was £40. I thought this a bit odd and asked whether they had been given a receipt. The answer was no. I have used that particlar newsagent a long time ago (pre-Covid) to top up my pre-pay oystercard and paid with cash. I received the appropriate top-up and a receipt.

I'm keeping an open mind as I have no idea whether newsagents and other 3rd parties are allowed to charge on top of the quoted TFL prices for tickets.  I would have thought that they get a commission from all ticket sales and top-ups - however I could well be wrong. I can't seem to find any information either way.