Smart ticketing system implementation
Request ID: FOI-0157-1819
Date published: 04 May 2018
You asked
1a) What is the total cost for the initial implementation of the smart ticketing system from the start of development to the official launch in June 2003?
1b) If the information is available, can I have a breakdown of the costs for the system development, including ticket machines, Oyster readers, Oyster cards, back-end infrastructure?
2) What are the total running costs for the current smart ticketing system?
We answered
Our ref: FOI-0157-1819/GH
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 19 April 2018 asking for information about the smart ticketing system.
Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy.
Unfortunately we do not hold the information you require. The original development of London’s smart ticketing system was done under a PFI contract where we paid for the services received, rather than investing capital expenditure in the development of the system. It is therefore not possible to identify the development costs for the system. Since the original PFI contract, the ticketing system has continued to be provided as a contract for a range of services related to the ticketing system, which includes the maintenance for and acceptance of magnetic tickets, ticket selling equipment and ticket gates. Again, it is not possible to identify the elements specifically relating to smart ticketing.
We are however able to provide the total costs of the ticketing system which is broken down to some degree for 2012/13. This includes all running and replacement costs for the ticketing system, not just costs specific to Oyster. The numbers are as follows:
Ticketing System £67.0m
Station Staff £4.6m
Helpdesk £10.3m
Website £1.3m
Total £83.2m
If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Graham Hurt
FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
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