Oysters will be valid across London

Thursday, 26 November 2009

By Lindsay Burns

SOUTH Londoners will only need one ticket to get around town from the new year, thanks to the expansion of the Oyster card system throughout the capital.

London Mayor Boris Johnson was at Balham station on Monday to announce the measures which are being tested between London Victoria and Clapham Junction.

The trial will incorporate Balham, Wandsworth Common and Battersea Park stations.

Around £40million has been invested to install or upgrade equipment in train stations across London, while people using the Thames Clipper services will also be able to use Oyster cards for river travel from January 2.

Mr Johnson, said: “This, combined with the news about Thames Clippers services, means Oyster will be all over the capital.

“It truly will be the only ticket Londoners need to get around town.

“Our hard work, determination and investment was not in vain.

"It has ended the crackers situation of Londoners not being able to use Oyster on every commuter route in the capital.

“And our glorious new map that reveals the unbelievable reach of Oyster truly hammers home that this is a landmark day for Londoners.”

Oyster pay as you go was introduced on the Tube and bus networks in January 2004.

Speaking with the South London Press after the event, the Mayor’s transport adviser, Kulveer Ranger, explained why it had taken so long to get the scheme off the ground.

He said: “It has been a pretty frustrating thing for lots of people, especially those living in South London.

“It’s been like herding cats trying to get the various parties together – the train operating services, the Department for Transport, Transport for London – to ensure that everybody joins up in a common sense way.

“It’s not just about saving money, it’s about the convenience of using pay as you go for different modes of transport.”

The rail agreement will see Oyster pay as you go accepted on all Greater London services operated by Chiltern, National Express East Anglia, London Midland, First Great Western, First Capital Connect, Southern, Southeastern and South West Trains.

  A new map revealing the reach of Oyster around the capital from January has also been produced.

Email: lindsay.burns@slp.co.uk

---

Share on Facebook

2 comments on this news item

Posted by : John, Brixton | Wednesday 09/Dec/2009 | Report this comment

’About time too - why has it taken Boris so long?’

Coz he is a useless Tory toffy-nosed schmuck.

---

Posted by : Magnus, SE5 | Sunday 29/Nov/2009 | Report this comment

This is great news for South London - especially South East London where there are many more train stations than tube stations. About time too - why has it taken Boris so long?

---

Submit your comment below :
Your Name (required) :

Your Email*(required) :

Your Location (required) :

Your Comment (required) :

Maximum Number of characters for this text box is 400.

You have 400 characters remaining for your description...

I agree to the terms and conditions and comment rules (required) :

The South London Press may not publish all comments.
Your comments may be published on any Tindle Newspaper Ltd. media.
*Your email address will not be displayed.

Enter the code as it is shown below (required):