Possible move towards cashless London
The London authorities are considering an expansion of its pre-paid Oyster card system which could take more cash off London’s streets.
London Mayor Ken Livingstone has said he is determined to get cash off the bus and tube network and has been heavily promoting the Oyster card system which allows customers to pre-pay for their travel. Commuters can either buy travelcards or put a certain amount of cash on the cards.
Now, Transport for London and the Mayor are looking to go further and introduce an ‘e-money’ scheme.
Trials are currently being carried out by TfL that, if successful, will allow the card to be used buy a range of items and services, such as newspapers, milk and to pay parking charges.
The pilot schemes are currently being run in libraries and council leisure facilities in the boroughs of Greenwich, Newham, Croydon and Lewisham.
London Assembly Liberal Democrat member Lynne Featherstone said that whilst she welcomed the idea in principle, the Mayor should concentrate first on perfecting the existing system.
Ms Featherstone, said: “The Oyster card must deliver on its original promise of providing ticketless travel for all Londoners on the whole public transport network. Before embarking on a bid to remove cash from society, the first thing that the Mayor and Transport for London must do is to get train companies in the capital to offer the Oyster card as an alternative to paper tickets.
“The Mayor also promised that the Oyster card would become a London Culture Card and yet so far we have failed to see this delivered. The Mayor and Transport for London must get the foundations in place and working properly before expanding into other wish-list areas.”
