Letter to the editor: Transport for London (TfL) and ATOC are responsible for fares and zones, according to the Under Secretary of State for Transport. TfL says it is the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Transport.

Sidcup and Welling were once priced the same, now Welling is in Zone 4 and Sidcup is in Zone 5.

Transport for London have advised me that it applies a three-mile rule, starting with Zone 1.

Sidcup to London Bridge or Charing Cross is within Zone 4.

Bexleyheath to London Bridge is within Zone 4 and to Charing Cross Zone 5.

Rail mileage can be checked on mileage.railmiles.org.

This website is supported by Transport for London and Network Rail. An old measurement of miles and chains is still used by the rail industry.

I have written to Transport for London to advise that I have identified 16 rail stations in an “incorrect” zone. I await a reply.

Historically, rail ticket prices, have increased year-on-year, for the past 34 years, at a rate of just under 5 per cent.

A 12-month season ticket from Sidcup or Welling to London in 1980-81 was £294. Today it is £1,628 from Sidcup.

Chislehurst, which is nearer to London than Abbey Wood, is in Zone 5, Abbey Wood in Zone 4.

Harry Beck’s original London Underground map format has been so distorted that it cannot be relied on.

Now, it is simply an interesting piece of artwork. However, if you challenge the map, last issue 2010, you will find it is treated like a “Bible”.

The map will give you a list of stations with a map reference. It does not show the zone for each station or the mileage for each zone.

The implications are that passengers from certain destinations have been paying over the odds on what appears to be an arbitrary system.

It is up to TfL and ATOC to explain themselves, or are they keeping the lid on an almighty scandal?

JEFFERY JAMES, Sidcup