Effective Sept. 16, millions of customers are set for easier and more convenient journeys as Transport for London (TfL) introduces contactless bankcard payments across all its services – including Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground and National Rail services currently accepting Oyster.
While extremely straightforward for the customer who simply has to touch their preferred bankcard to the reader, it is a major technological achievement delivered by TfL with support from Cubic. Over the past two years, some 20,000 assets including gates and readers have been retrofitted with contactless-enabled readers, developed by Cubic in conjunction with TfL and compatible with all contactless bankcards as well as Oyster.
The system has involved the development of a complex back office by TfL, which interfaces with the front and middle office services provided by Cubic.
TfL opted for a phased approach to the implementation of contactless bankcard payment to ensure a seamless experience for its customers: London is one of the largest, busiest and most complex urban travel networks in the world so any new initiative needs to be carefully planned ensuring there is no possibility of disruption to customers’ journeys. The bus fleet was selected for the initial phase because it operates on a flat fare structure.
A pilot involving 5,000 volunteers has been trialing contactless bankcard payment across the rail network since April, and the pilot’s success is behind the launch.
Roger Crow, senior vice-president and managing director, EMEA for Cubic Transportation Systems, says, “We are delighted to have been able to support TfL in its ambition to deliver the best possible customer experience and choice to London’s residents and visitors. It is a proud day for all those involved in the project and we look forward to working with TfL in the years ahead to ensure London’s transport network maintains its world-class reputation.”
The new option means that there will no longer be any need for customers to spend time topping up Oyster balances because fares are charged directly to bankcard accounts. Contactless bankcard payments on rail services work in the same way as Oyster, charging customers an adult-rate pay-as-you–go fare when they touch in and out on readers at the start and end of every journey. Today’s launch also means that, in addition to daily capping, for the first time customers can benefit from Monday to Sunday capping across multiple journeys and multiple modes.
TfL’s Director of Customer Experience, Shashi Verma, said,“Accepting contactless bankcard payments on transport in London is a fantastic achievement for our city and it provides our customers with the most convenient way to pay for their travel. Cubic has played a crucial role in helping us to deliver contactless and maintain the capital’s position as a world leader in transport ticketing.”
