I would like to know the full administration costs involved in each age category of child zip Oyster cards. Why is there a £5 increase in the administration cost per age group, i.e., 5-11 years = £10; 11-15 years = £15; 16+ = £20. Applicants provide the same information per age group. Children have no option but to purchase an Oyster card to travel for free on buses - they are often refused entry onto the bus if they do not have an Oyster card.

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TfL Ref: FOI-2304-1920

Thank you for your email received by Transport for London (TfL) on 1 November 2019.

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 hold some of the information you require. You asked:

I would like to know the full administration costs involved in each age category of child zip Oyster cards.  Why is there a £5 increase in the administration cost per age group, i.e., 5-11 years = £10; 11-15 years = £15; 16+ = £20.  Applicants provide the same information per age group. Children have no option but to purchase an Oyster card to travel for free on buses - they are often refused entry onto the bus if they do not have an Oyster card.

TfL no longer receives any government funding for day-to-day operations and is increasingly dependent on fares revenue to keep London moving. We are committed to reinvesting all our income into running and improving services for our customers.

We do not seek to make a profit from the administration fees in question. The administration fees for Oyster photocard applications go towards the cost of producing the photocards themselves and running the concessionary schemes. The income from administration fees enables the maintenance of and improvement to our systems including:

• Introduction of online applications
• Improved functionality for web accounts
• An increased two-year validity period has been introduced for 16+ Zip Oyster photocards

There is no defined set of administration costs tailored to each separate Zip Oyster photocard scheme. However, there are day-to-day operational costs including staffing, materials and systems.

The supply, production and postage of Zip Oyster photocards all have associated costs. We must ensure that the systems which support the concessionary schemes are maintained and developed so that they operate securely and efficiently. Furthermore, to deliver the benefits of the Zip Oyster photocard concessionary schemes, we maintain a dedicated contact centre providing comprehensive over-the-phone and written support for customer queries.

The administration fee costs for Zip Oyster photocard applications are different across the schemes based on the expected usage of the photocard for travel. The fees increase with the age of the applicant as older applicants are likely to use their photocards more frequently and more widely for travel.

In specific relation to the 5-10 Zip Oyster photocard scheme, children in this age group don’t need a photocard to travel free on buses and trams. They only need a photocard if they are using National Rail services regularly, they look older than 10 or are travelling without an adult on Tube, DLR, London Overground and TfL Rail.

On most other transport systems customers aged 16 or over must pay the adult fare. Our Zip Oyster photocard concessionary schemes mean we continue to provide free and discounted travel for children throughout their school years.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some 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

Eva Hextall

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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