Oyster Card: 20 years of success

London’s public transport operators have something to celebrate. Because exactly 20 years ago, the UK’s capital introduced the Oyster Card for local public transport. And just like Shakespeare’s famous quote, the Oyster Card hasn’t opened up the world to users – but at least London’s public transport has been open to them for 20 years with all its possibilities.

The Oyster Card is an electronic travel card that can be topped up and is quick and easy to use. The one-off purchase costs users around 5 pounds. After that, it can simply be topped up at various points of sale, ticket counters or by credit card with the corresponding balance. Using the bus and train then becomes child’s play. Instead of buying a ticket for each journey, all you have to do is scan the Oyster Card at the start and end of the journey. The correct fare is automatically deducted. This eliminates the need for considerations such as in Munich’s public transport system, where zones and stripes are not always easy to fathom. The card is also available to buy in several versions. It can be purchased as a transferable card without registration or as a personal card. And it’s not just residents, tourists can also benefit from the system with the Visitor Oyster Card. The introduction 20 years ago was a great success.

In the last 12 months alone, 16.7 million Oyster cards have been used on London’s transport network. And since the scheme was launched, more than 125 million people from around the world have benefited from the convenience of traveling across London. Amir Dawoodbhai, member of TfL’s Youth Panel, emphasizes the outstanding reputation of the Oyster card: “It is admired across the world, inspiring and setting the standard for world-class public transport networks.” The card offers many advantages that seem to be well received by users. For example, it greatly reduces the flow of passengers as they can quickly pass through the ticket barriers. According to London transport operators, around 40 people per minute use the Oyster card, which is 15 more than with regular paper tickets. What’s more, Oyster cards never expire. They can be used again after any period of time. The credit can also be refunded at any time when the card is returned.

It is hard to imagine everyday life in London without the Oyster card. Michael Roberts, Chief Executive of London TravelWatch, even goes one step further and emphasizes that the Oyster Card has become synonymous with travel in London and can be equated with the black cab or red buses. Reason enough for London’s transport operators to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The first attempts at a smartcard ticket system began even earlier. The first trials were carried out on the 212 bus route in Walthamstow in the UK back in 1991, followed by a more extensive trial in Harrow three years later.

The system is still in use today and has been continuously developed over the last two decades. In 2005, for example, a day pass was introduced, which allows customers to make as many journeys as they want without paying more than with the corresponding day pass. Furthermore, the Oyster Card brand Zip has been available since 2008 for discounted travel for people under the age of 18. And in 2010, Oyster billing was extended to all local trains in Greater London.

To mark the anniversary, the transport company is now launching a limited Oyster Card edition. The limited design is in line with other designs to mark significant events in London. In recent years, for example, the transport company has already issued limited editions to mark the launch of the Elizabeth Line, the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London and the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

Those responsible are very proud of their success story: “We’re excited to be celebrating 20 years of the Oyster card as a world leading innovative way to travel,” said Shashi Verma, Chief Technology Officer at TfL. The influence of the Oyster card is not limited to the transport situation in London. The success of Oyster has inspired other cities around the world to introduce similar technologies for paying for travel. The Oyster Card continues to be one of the biggest drivers of contactless payment. Shashi Verma continues: “It [Oyster card] has cemented TfL’s reputation for being at the forefront of innovation and paved the way for the use of contactless payments on public transport – not only in London, but across the world.”

And Ben Curtis, Campaigns Officer at Campaign for Better Transport, goes one step further: “The Oyster card changed the game for urban transport systems worldwide, and its legacy remains the envy of the world. Over the years, the Oyster card has not only transformed the way residents and visitors alike navigate London but has served as symbol of London’s success in creating an inclusive and supportive public transport network for all.” With this in mind, congratulations and here’s to the next 20 years.

A similar system to the Oyster Card comes from Switzerland with the Fairtiq smartphone app. Other countries and apps are also using this idea, such as Munich and Regensburg with the “Swipe + Ride” pilot project. Read more about this here.