Oyster card users can now collect their top ups, Travelcards and passes just by tapping win when boarding a bus, following an update to the capital’s smart card system.
Until recently passengers needed to wait 24 hours to visit a nominated Tube or rail station to collect their top-ups, or visit one of Transport for London’s retail partners if they needed to add funds for instant travel.
In September the transport agency released a new Oyster smartphone app that allows passengers to add funds which can be collected just 30 minutes later at any Tube or rail station, tram stop or River Bus pier.
An update means it’s now possible to collect the funds by touching in on any of London’s 9,000 buses, making Oyster more convenient than ever.
Available for both Apple iPhone and Google’s Android platform, the new app has already been downloaded by more than 100,000 customers.
In addition to checking their balance and adding funds to their card, the app allows users to view their last eight weeks journey history.
A future update will allow passengers to apply for refunds more quickly and easily and allow Zip photocard, Student photocard or 60+ photocard holders to access their Oyster account through the app.
Shashi Verma, Chief Technology Officer at TfL, said: “The Oyster card is synonymous with London and has transformed the way people travel by allowing them to pay as you go with minimum effort.
“These latest improvements allow customers to collect their travel products from anywhere on the TfL network after just 30 minutes – making the commute or visit to see friends and family quicker and convenient.
“As smartphones become an increasingly essential part of our customers’ lives, we will continue to develop our app and add new features to help everyone get around London.”
London’s Chief Digital Officer, Theo Blackwell, added: “The huge success of the Oyster card has shown how innovation can make a real difference to people’s day-to-day lives.
“The Mayor and I are determined to use smart technology to make London an even better place to live, work and visit, and this TfL app is a great example of how a simple improvement can make travelling around our capital even easier.”
The updated app has been welcomed by Lianna Etkind from the Campaign for Better Transport who said: “Oyster already makes it simple to change from bus to train to Tube and always be charged the lowest fare.
“Now this new functionality will mean that more people can top up at home or on the go, rather than having to queue at a station or shop, making the decision to leave the car at home even easier.”
