TfL Reveals an Update on Integrating Oyster Smartcards on Digital Wallets (Apple and Google Wallets)

As various transport systems around the world have integrated their smartcards to digital wallets such as Apple and Google Wallet/Pay. A Freedom of Information request to Transport for London (TfL) has revealed an update on integrating their Oyster smartcards to digital wallets.

I refer to my previous article where the Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan pledged in his 2024 election manifesto to bring concession Oyster cards to digital wallets.

Request ID: FOI-1713-2425
Date published: 16 September 2024

We have been considering integrating Oyster with Apple wallets, but do not yet have all the information we require to establish a viable business case for such an investment.

However, we also know that we need to update our card readers on buses and in stations in order to do so.

The project for this is in-flight, but will take a further 3-4 years to deliver.

We have also asked bidders for our new Revenue Collection Contract to propose how we could implement Oyster in digital wallets, although it is not at this stage a mandatory deliverable in the new contract.

This contract is due to take effect from August 2026.

Going back to 2022 on X (formerly known as Twitter), I have revealed a contract by TfL to upgrade their revenue collection system. Another contract for the revenue collection service is on the UK Government Find a Tender website.

ProContract opportunities:#TfL Revenue Collection System - ICT13474

TfL is considering possible approaches to the procurement of a new Revenue Collection System contract and is seeking information through this Prior Information Notice (PIN).https://t.co/gAboKdnqOP pic.twitter.com/i1NffFpINQ

— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) April 7, 2022

As I have previously suggested, I would like to see reforms to the Travelcard agreement to provide expanded options of public transport, especially non-TfL services such as the River services, Fastrack in Kent Thameside, etc. especially with the expansion of Contactless PAYG to 233 railway stations in the South East of England.

In addition, there should always be alternatives to smartcard ticketing by retaining paper tickets, especially the One Day Travelcard, which is still useful because the PAYG has maximum journey times, which charges the user a maximum fare for going over the journey times or a missing touch at a station.

With the expansion of Contactless PAYG to 233 stations in the South East of England, I have suggested a new regional transport authority to subsume TfL, National Rail services of the former Network SouthEast, etc.

I invite you to follow me on X by searching for @CLondoner92 or by clicking on the direct link to my X page here. I'm also on BlueSky and Mastodon.