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Revamped Oyster system 'must meet standards for smart ticketing'
21 Nov 2011

Any changes to the Oyster card system must meet the standards set by the Integrated Transport Smartcard Organisation (ITSO) if they are to succeed.

This is the warning of the London Assembly's transport committee, which warned Transport for London (TfL) that people may not use the system if it is unfair to some passengers and does not benefit those who choose to stick with the existing cards.

TfL said earlier this year that all Oyster card readers are to be upgraded so they can work with debit and credit cards using near field communications technology.

It is expected this will have begun on the buses in time for the Olympics and then rolled out on the rest of the transit system later next year.

Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon said the revamped Oyster system should meet ITSO standards to ensure it is compatible with others nationwide.

"We want guarantees that all passengers will continue to have access to the cheapest fares no matter what type of ticket they use," she added.

One transit scheme that does meet ITSO requirements for smart ticketing is sQuid's partnership with West Cheshire College card and Cheshire Travelcard, which allows people to use contactless payments on buses.

Users tell the driver their destination, hold their smart card next to the ticket machine to pay and then collect their printed ticket in order to travel without the right change.