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Version 1 Version 2
Oyster card glitch means free travel for London passengers Oyster card glitch fixed meaning free travel for Londoners ends
(about 3 hours later)
A technical glitch in Transport for London’s Oyster card system has meant passengers in the capital have been able to travel for free on Saturday. A technical glitch in Transport for London’s Oyster card system has been resolved after thousands of passengers in the capital were able to travel for free on Saturday morning.
Oyster card readers suffered a system fault. Southeastern Railway tweeted: “We have been made aware of an issue with Oyster card readers across the network. TFL are working to fix the issues.” Oyster card readers are now back in service, customers are now able to touch in and out. We apologise for the disruption earlier.
One user reported that their card was not working either on buses or at tube stations, and TfL staff at Morden in south London were waving passengers through the open ticket barriers. Oyster card readers on London buses, rail and tube stations suffered a system fault in the early hours of Saturday. Southeastern Railway tweeted: “We have been made aware of an issue with Oyster card readers across the network. TFL are working to fix the issues.”
Others highlighted the issue on social media. Zora Suleman from London said: “Second time the Oyster card readers haven’t worked. Hope there’s a day-long glitch. Free travel for all.” Staff at several stations appeared to be aware of the problem. In Morden south London attendants waved passengers through the open ticket barriers. At Victoria station, an attendant told commuters: “We’re aware of the problems with Oyster cards. It’s the same on the underground. Just pass straight through the barriers.”
Many people took to social media to highlight the issue. Zora Suleman from London said: “Second time the Oyster card readers haven’t worked. Hope there’s a day-long glitch. Free travel for all.”
Sean Whitaker said: “All Oyster card readers are out of service at Barking station. Staff are unhelpful and don’t seem to bother.”Sean Whitaker said: “All Oyster card readers are out of service at Barking station. Staff are unhelpful and don’t seem to bother.”
Oyster is a plastic smartcard used for pay-as-you-travel fares, travelcards and bus and tram passes. It operates on buses, tube, tram, Docklands Light Railway, London Overground, TfL Rail and most National Rail services in the capital. Related: Train fares in Britain to rise by average of 1.1%
A TfL spokesman said: “We are experiencing technical issues with our Oyster card readers this morning. We are working extremely hard with our contractors to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. In the meantime, customers can continue to travel across the Tube, bus and rail networks. We apologise for this disruption.” Free travel on London's Underground today, thanks to software issues with Oyster readers. Thanks, TFL! #fb
The whole Oyster system has crashed? Sounds like an expensive start to 2016 for @TfL
Oyster is a plastic smartcard used for season passes as well as pay-as-you-travel fares, travelcards and bus and tram passes. It operates on buses, tube, tram, Docklands Light Railway, London Overground, TfL Rail and most National Rail services in the capital.
The glitch came on the day new fare increases were introduced, with journey prices going up by an average of 1%.
Analysis from Labour shows that rail fares have risen at three times the rate of wages since 2010, with campaigners saying ticket prices have become “increasingly divorced from reality”.
The party’s London mayoral hopeful Sadiq Khan tweeted on Saturday: “Reports Oyster system down across London – seems even @TfL’s ticketing software is unhappy at the Tory fare rise kicking in today.”