Please explain why such a charging regime exists.

Most of the busiest stations in London are located in Zone 1. The fares charged help to mitigate the crowding that can occur at those stations and on the trains from those stations, particularly during peak times.

Transport for London (TfL) only charges fares via Zone 1 where that is the only logical route available. Where there is a clear alternative to travelling via Zone 1, pink card readers are provided at interchange points for customers to show they have done so.

The transport network in London is complex. TfL’s fares system is designed to be logical and sophisticated to ensure that it charges fares accurately in this complicated network.

If there are any specific journeys, TfL is happy to look into them, but to manage expectations, changes to the way fares are charged may not always be possible.