TfL shelves plan to extend Oyster card functions

Transport for London has shelved plans to allow users of its Oyster smartcards to buy goods and services at outlets not directly related to the transport network.

Before setting up the widely used Oyster travelcard scheme, Transport for London said it was planning to allow users to buy small value items with their Oyster cards, including parking tickets, fast food and groceries from certain supermarkets.

Last year, London’s main transport organisation also advertised in the OJEU European major contracts journal for a partner to help get the extended scheme off the ground.

After drawing up a shortlist of partners as a result of the advert, it has now informed those companies involved that it has put the plan on ice, with no timetable set for a future deployment.

Other major smartcard schemes launched in the UK have also looked to extend their card’s use across other outlets to maximise their value for users and thus increase uptake. In most cases, the stumbling block has been getting a secure payments systems off the ground that has the support of third-party retailers.