The roadmap details a multi-year investment strategy designed to align with the Mayor’s Transport Strategy, specifically the objective for 80 per cent of all trips in London to be made by foot, cycle, or public transport by 2041. The plan sets out a timeline for critical infrastructure upgrades and the implementation of advanced systems to tackle fare evasion and improve operational efficiency.
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| Excerpt from TfL Technology Roadmap 2025 |
The following timeline outlines the projected milestones and key technology initiatives detailed within the roadmap.
2024–2025: Connectivity and Foundation
The immediate focus of the roadmap has been on establishing robust connectivity and modernising the digital workplace. Significant progress has been noted in the expansion of 4G and 5G mobile coverage, which now encompasses the entirety of the Elizabeth line’s underground areas, as well as nearly 40 per cent of the London Underground (LU) network.
In terms of revenue collection, TfL has focused on internal priorities, including cyber security and equipment refreshes, such as the deployment of Windows 11-compatible hardware and the migration of critical data away from on-premise warehouses to cloud-based solutions.
2026: Intelligent Systems and Enforcement
Looking ahead to 2026, TfL plans to leverage artificial intelligence and data-driven tools to enhance operational capability. A key initiative for this period is the introduction of AI capabilities designed to detect and automate fault resolution, aiming to improve network reliability.
Significant investment is also directed towards revenue protection and safety. The roadmap highlights the completion of the updated CPOS Enforcement & Compliance Operations System (ECOS). This system aims to support colleagues in preventing fare evasion and reducing risks from crime by enabling officers to safely conduct compliance checks across the network.
Furthermore, the roadmap indicates the commencement of the iBus 2 rollout in early 2026. This project replaces the obsolete automatic vehicle location system, providing control centres and passengers with improved real-time bus information.
2027: Infrastructure Renewal and The "Project Hina"
By 2027, the roadmap envisions the completion of several major infrastructure projects. Central to this is "Project Hina," which involves the delivery of next-generation card readers on buses. This supports the broader goal of ensuring high-performing revenue collection technologies.
The transition of the Revenue Collection Contract is expected to be completed in the first half of 2027, alongside the full deployment of below-ground commercial mobile coverage. Additionally, the iBus 2 rollout is scheduled for completion during this year, ensuring the entire fleet is equipped with the new location tracking technology.
2028: Enterprise Modernisation and Digital Growth
The focus for 2028 shifts towards deep enterprise resource planning (ERP) and digital customer engagement. TfL intends to upgrade its core SAP ERP system to S/4 HANA, a move essential for replacing unsupported systems and improving financial reporting.
Simultaneously, TfL aims to increase the adoption of its digital platforms. The organisation targets growing contactless users with TfL ID accounts from 8 per cent to 12 per cent, and increasing the proportion of in-app top-ups to generate estimated savings of £4.4 million per year.
2029 and Beyond: The End of Magnetic Tickets
The long-term vision extends to 2029 and beyond, with the removal of magnetic tickets, a milestone intended to reduce complexity within the payment network. While this change has streamlined operations, it has raised significant inclusivity concerns for the digitally excluded and passengers facing lost or stolen cards, who no longer have the option of purchasing physical paper tickets as an immediate backup. These impacts echo the criticism following the withdrawal of the paper One Day Bus & Tram Pass in March 2025, underscoring how the elimination of non-digital ticketing options disproportionately affects vulnerable travellers by removing essential alternatives for accessing the bus and tram network.
One potential solution would be to retain a paper-based option by moving to QR-coded tickets, as other UK transport systems have done, while also providing paper receipts, similar to when someone self-orders a meal at McDonald’s or another fast-food outlet and receives a paper order number to collect their food, offering a practical backup alongside digital methods.
This era also aims to see the Pan-TfL data network transition completed and the full achievement of the public sector cyber security strategic aim of resilience against cyber attacks.
Summary of Strategic Intent
Throughout this timeline, TfL emphasises a shift towards sustainable technology to reduce environmental impact, including rationalising IT assets to reduce embodied carbon. By replacing legacy assets—such as the 20-year-old Bus Contract Management System—and integrating systems like iBus 2 with on-street countdown signs, TfL seeks to future-proof the customer experience while maximising revenue and ensuring safety.
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