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London tube introduces contactless payments London tube introduces contactless payments
(35 minutes later)
Passengers on the tube and most of London transport can now travel using a contactless card, part of a process that the capital's transport chiefs hope will eventually make current ticketing systems redundant.Passengers on the tube and most of London transport can now travel using a contactless card, part of a process that the capital's transport chiefs hope will eventually make current ticketing systems redundant.
Transport for London (TfL) said contactless payments using a debit or credit card will mean easier and more convenient journeys for millions of customers. Passengers will not need tickets or Oyster smartcards on the tube, tram, DLR, London Overground and rail services that currently accept Oyster cards. Transport for London (TfL) said contactless payments using a debit or credit card will mean easier and more convenient journeys for millions of customers. Passengers will not need tickets or Oyster smartcards on the tube, tram, DLR, London Overground and rail services that currently accept Oyster cards.
About half of Londoners already have a contactless debit or credit card, which can be used for payments of £20 and under without using a PIN number or signature.About half of Londoners already have a contactless debit or credit card, which can be used for payments of £20 and under without using a PIN number or signature.
Passengers can touch in with their cards in the same way as using an Oyster, but without making a ticket purchase or top up credit beforehand.Passengers can touch in with their cards in the same way as using an Oyster, but without making a ticket purchase or top up credit beforehand.
Contactless payments have been used on London buses since December 2012 and cash payments were abolished in July.Contactless payments have been used on London buses since December 2012 and cash payments were abolished in July.
While London Underground has not announced any timetable to phase out ticketing on the Tube, cash payments for tickets are deterred by making them considerably more expensive than Oyster fares. LU bosses are in dispute with unions over plans to close ticket offices across the tube network, slashing 900 jobs. Eradicating cash payments on buses saved TfL £20m-£30m annually. Mike Brown, LU chief executive, has said he hopes the tube will eventually not ask passengers to "change your currency for my currency". While London Underground has not announced any timetable to phase out ticketing on the Tube, cash payments for tickets are deterred by making them considerably more expensive than Oyster fares. LU bosses are in dispute with unions over plans to close ticket offices across the tube network, slashing 900 jobs. Eradicating cash payments on buses saved TfL £20m-£30m annually. Mike Brown, LU chief executive, has said he hopes the tube will eventually not ask passengers to "change your currency for my currency".
Passengers who use own contactless cards have been promised that their fares will be capped in the same way as on pay-as-you-go smartcards, meaning they should not pay more than a travelcard user over a one- or seven-day period. But monthly or yearly travelcard users will have to continue using the old system. Passengers who use own contactless cards have been promised that their fares will be capped in the same way as on pay-as-you-go smartcards, meaning they should not pay more than a travelcard user over a one- or seven-day period. But monthly or yearly travelcard users will have to continue using the old system.
Announcements on TfL this year have reminded passengers of one potential pitfall – paying for travel with a card they did not intend to use if swiping a wallet on the readers.Announcements on TfL this year have reminded passengers of one potential pitfall – paying for travel with a card they did not intend to use if swiping a wallet on the readers.
Shashi Verma, TfL's director of customer experience, said: "Accepting contactless payments on transport in London is a fantastic achievement for our city – it provides our customers with the most convenient way to pay for their travel and highlights the capital's position as a world leader in transport ticketing, technology and customer service.Shashi Verma, TfL's director of customer experience, said: "Accepting contactless payments on transport in London is a fantastic achievement for our city – it provides our customers with the most convenient way to pay for their travel and highlights the capital's position as a world leader in transport ticketing, technology and customer service.
"Oyster will continue to be available, with contactless payments being another option that lets our customers travel without the need to top up Oyster credit.""Oyster will continue to be available, with contactless payments being another option that lets our customers travel without the need to top up Oyster credit."
TfL says there are currently about 70,000 contactless payments a day on buses.TfL says there are currently about 70,000 contactless payments a day on buses.
Some forms of mobile phone contactless payment will also be accepted, although TfL has been more reticent to promote the technology at launch.Some forms of mobile phone contactless payment will also be accepted, although TfL has been more reticent to promote the technology at launch.
Industry analysts believe that TfL's move could provide a huge impetus to the takeup of contactless payments, which many customers still ignore.Industry analysts believe that TfL's move could provide a huge impetus to the takeup of contactless payments, which many customers still ignore.
Richard Sanders, payments expert at ACI Worldwide, said: "A big transport network like TfL taking this step does suggest transport is the much-vaunted 'killer application' for contactless payments. The gradual removal of Oyster will reduce paper tickets and cash handling, thus resulting in potentially huge savings.Richard Sanders, payments expert at ACI Worldwide, said: "A big transport network like TfL taking this step does suggest transport is the much-vaunted 'killer application' for contactless payments. The gradual removal of Oyster will reduce paper tickets and cash handling, thus resulting in potentially huge savings.
"Contactless payments are also more secure and will improve correct fare collection. More importantly, it will give TfL improved data on transport usage and will help to schedule trains, buses and tubes more efficiently.""Contactless payments are also more secure and will improve correct fare collection. More importantly, it will give TfL improved data on transport usage and will help to schedule trains, buses and tubes more efficiently."