25.04.18
Half of London Tube and train journeys made with contactless
Half of all Tube and rail pay as you go journeys are regularly made using contactless payment or mobile devices, the latest figures from TfL have revealed.
The payment method was launched on buses in December 2012 and across London Tube and rail services in September 2014, and is now being used to make around 17 million journeys a week across the capital.
Since its launch there have been over 1.7 billion journeys made across the city using contactless.
Two years ago just 25% of journeys in London were made using contactless.
Its use on buses and trams has also increased significantly, with contactless now being used for 45% of all pay as you go journeys.
Some stations including Blackfriars, Canary Wharf and Clapham Common are consistently seeing 60% of all pay as you go journeys being made with contactless.
Around one in eight contactless journeys in London are made using a mobile phone or smart device.
The contactless system automatically calculates the best fare based on the customer’s journey history and charges them at the end of the day, potentially saving money compared to buying a one day travel card.
Contactless customers also benefit from weekly capping, which will be expanded to Oyster card users later this year.
Shashi Verma, chief technology officer at TfL, said: “Contactless ticketing has made travelling in and around London and the south east by bus, Tube or rail quick, convenient and affordable.
“We're delighted with how popular this innovation has become and, with the future extension of this technology across the Elizabeth line, even more customers will benefit in the future. We are also now working with other world cities to share our experience and knowledge to help them introduce a similar ticketing system in the coming years.”
Richard Koch, director of cards at UK Finance, added: “Contactless payments have transformed public transport in the capital, making millions of journeys each week quicker and easier.
“Passengers no longer have to waste time queuing for paper tickets and can enjoy the benefit of weekly capped fares.”
Steve Chambers, public transport campaigner at Campaign for Better Transport, said: “The rise in the number of people making contactless payments proves that if people are offered multiple ways to pay for their ticket they will use them, which is a good thing.
“We are also pleased to see the Oyster card gaining all the features of contactless later this year, bringing more benefit to London's commuters.”
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