Request ID: FOI-0083-2223 Date published: 26 April 2022
You asked
Dear Sir/Madam,
In the Commissioner's Report of 18 March 2020, it is stated that TfL has made it easier for customers to pay to travel using Apple Pay in that the customer can just tap their iPhone or Apple Watch on the yellow card reader and go, and that that partnership with Apple has earned TfL £300,000, with a further £150,000 for the use of TfL's branding.
As well as payment cards, travel cards can also be added to Apple Wallet. For instance, the Octopus card used to travel on public transport in Hong Kong can be added to Apple Wallet to pay for journeys. If the Oyster card could similarly be added to Apple Wallet, firstly, customers who are eligible for free and discounted travel on TfL services would then, without having to forgo said free and discounted travel, also be able to more easily pay to travel using Apple Pay and, secondly, TfL might earn more from its partnership with Apple.
Therefore, I wish to know whether TfL plans to enable the addition of the Oyster card to Apple Wallet and, if yes, in what time frame.
We answered
TfL Ref: 0083-2223
Thank you for your request received by us on 12 April 2022 asking for information about using Apple Pay and the Oyster card scheme.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require. You asked for the following:
In the Commissioner's Report of 18 March 2020, it is stated that TfL has made it easier for customers to pay to travel using Apple Pay in that the customer can just tap their iPhone or Apple Watch on the yellow card reader and go, and that that partnership with Apple has earned TfL £300,000, with a further £150,000 for the use of TfL's branding.
As well as payment cards, travel cards can also be added to Apple Wallet. For instance, the Octopus card used to travel on public transport in Hong Kong can be added to Apple Wallet to pay for journeys. If the Oyster card could similarly be added to Apple Wallet, firstly, customers who are eligible for free and discounted travel on TfL services would then, without having to forgo said free and discounted travel, also be able to more easily pay to travel using Apple Pay and, secondly, TfL might earn more from its partnership with Apple.
Therefore, I wish to know whether TfL plans to enable the addition of the Oyster card to Apple Wallet and, if yes, in what time frame.
The existing Oyster system is now more than 15 years old, which limits our ability to make substantial changes. However, TfL plans to develop Oyster to enable it to be based on more up-to-date technologies and in line with rising passenger expectations. This includes adopting a ‘digital first’ approach. Whether this would allow us to introduce Oyster into Apple (iOS) and Google (Android) mobile wallets is something that we are working with technology partners to assess.
TfL’s existing Oyster and Contactless app is available for free on both iOS and Android mobile devices. The app allows passengers to purchase adult rate Travelcards and Bus & Tramlink Passes, top up their Pay As You Go (PAYG) credit, set notifications and check journey history. Please see the following link to our website for more information via: https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/how-to-pay-and-where-to-buy-tickets-and-oyster/tfl-oyster-and-contactless-app
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Jasmine Howard FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
