London rail partnership awarded for innovation

Date: 12/5/2011

A partnership that helped to bring the Oyster scheme to the National Rail network in the capital has been commended.

Transport for London (TfL), Cubic and the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) picked up the prize for Excellence in Technology and Innovation at the London Transport Awards on April 27th.

In January 2010, the Oyster pay-as-you-go initiative was rolled out across all 350 National Rail stations in the Greater London area and now more than two million trips are made each week by passengers using the card on the overground service.

Cubic developed the technology to enable the extension, while TfL invested £40 million in the installation and upgrading of equipment and ATOC liaised with all train operating companies in the capital.

Mike Tuckett, TfL's Head of National Rail Development, said: "We look forward to working with our partners to build on this success and in particular to offer customers the opportunity to use contactless bankcards to pay as they go across London in 2012."

Other winners at the ceremony included the South Quay Station, which was named Rail Station of the Year.

Posted by Mary Treen