Request ID: FOI-1291-2223 Date published: 14 September 2022
You asked
Please would you kindly provide the following information in relation to 60+ London Oyster photocard holders:-
a) the total number of card holders;
b) the number of card holders that are required to undergo an annual address check by TfL in order to continue using their cards;
c) the number of card holders that are required to pay a fee for an annual address check by TfL in order to continue using their cards;
d) the number of card holders that are not required to pay an annual fee for an annual address check by TfL in order to continue using their cards;
e) the reasons for setting the annual address check fee at £10.00;
f) whether any income received by TfL from the card holders who are required to pay the annual address check fee is used towards administering any annual address checks for cardholders that are not required to pay the fee;
g) the legal powers upon which TfL relied for the introduction of the annual address check fee in August 2019;
h) any recorded information relating to the making of the decision by TfL to introduce the annual address check fee from August 2019 such as reports, legal advice, minutes and decision records.
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-1291-2223
Thank you for your request received on 25 August 2022 asking for information about the 60+ London Oyster photocards.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we do hold the information you require. You asked for:
a) the total number of card holders
379,216.
b) the number of card holders that are required to undergo an annual address check by TfL in order to continue using their cards
All 60+ card holders who have applied since August 2019 are required to confirm their ongoing eligibility each year. Information on the annual check is shown clearly on our website https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/free-and-discounted-travel/60-plus-oyster-photocard?intcmp=54724.
c) the number of card holders that are required to pay a fee for an annual address check by TfL in order to continue using their cards
All 60+ card holders who have applied since August 2019 are required to pay a fee as part of the annual address check.
d) the number of card holders that are not required to pay an annual fee for an annual address check by TfL in order to continue using their cards
All card holders who have applied since August 2019 are required to complete the annual eligibility check and pay the associated fee if they are a) still eligible b) want to continue to use their 60+ London Oyster photocard.
e) the reasons for setting the annual address check fee at £10.00
The £10 fee covers the cost of the administration associated with checking and verifying any proof of address that is provided as part of the annual address check; as a new card is not produced it is lower than the initial £20 application fee.
f) whether any income received by TfL from the card holders who are required to pay the annual address check fee is used towards administering any annual address checks for cardholders that are not required to pay the fee
I can confirm that no income from the fee is used in verifying the address of cardholders who are not required to pay the fee.
g) the legal powers upon which TfL relied for the introduction of the annual address check fee in August 2019
The legal powers under which the annual address check fee was introduced are: section 173, and Schedule 11, paragraphs 7 and 32 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (as amended).
h) any recorded information relating to the making of the decision by TfL to introduce the annual address check fee from August 2019 such as reports, legal advice, minutes and decision records.
The Mayoral briefing from May 2019 concerning the introduction of the annual address check process for the 60+ Scheme is attached.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please feel free to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
