NFC TIMES Exclusive Insight – Transport for London, which runs the largest open-loop fare payments system globally, has issued a notice that it is preparing to seek proposals for a major upgrade of its revenue-collection system.
The estimated £1.1 billion (US$1.5 billion) project aims to retire the aging legacy back-office system for Transport for London’s closed-loop Oyster card and put it on the same system as the contactless open-loop system. The overhaul will also replace thousands of readers at 280 London Underground stations, on board 8,500 buses and at thousands more commuter, light rail and national rail stops or stations, along with some retail outlets. NFC Times last February reported the plans to revamp the system in time for the August 2025 expiration of the current fare-collection contract.
U.S.-based Cubic Transportation System, which implemented the original Oyster card system, holds the current contract following an extension three years ago. The London transit authority says it would consider splitting up the project into more than one contract, in part as it seeks a variety of vendors that can add value and innovation to the revenue-collection system. Transport for London issued a “prior-information notice” last Wednesday, seeking interested vendors.
