How much money is TFL holding on expired or dormant Oyster cards
Request ID: FOI-2043-1718
Date published: 07 November 2017
You asked
I would like to know the total balances that are held on expired oysters (e.g. children's cards) and separately how much is held on cards that are dormant (say haven't been used for 5 years).
I would also like to know what happens to these monies when they are not claimed by the card holder e.g are they distributed to a charitable trust or similar?
We answered
TfL Ref: 2043-1718
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 25 October 2017 asking for information about balances on expired Oyster cards.
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 the information you require. You asked:
I would like to know the total balances that are held on expired oysters (e.g. children's cards) and separately how much is held on cards that are dormant (say haven't been used for 5 years).
I would also like to know what happens to these monies when they are not claimed by the card holder e.g are they distributed to a charitable trust or similar?
The information on Oyster card balances and refunds data is available on our website using the following link: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/oyster-card#on-this-page-1. Please note that Oyster cards do not expire as such.
In accordance with section 21 of the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply you with a copy of the requested information as it is already accessible to you elsewhere.
For 11-15s moving onto 16+ where we can, we will transfer any balance under £10 to a new card. Otherwise customers will need to request a refund. At any time, if someone wants to get the balance from their card, they can request this, and we have made it easy to do at our ticket machines. With regards to unclaimed money, it’s reinvested to improve TfL’s network. It is not given to charity.
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
Sara Thomas
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
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