Oyster Extension Permit 'not required after May'

Date: 14/3/2011

Travellers in London will not need an Oyster Extension Permit if they wish to take a train to the outskirts of the capital from the end of May.

Previously, individuals were required to have the permit on their Oyster Travelcard if they wanted to journey outside of set zones in order to show that they were using pay-as-you-go credit to fund the excursion, according to Transport for London (TfL).

This needed to be loaded on to the card at a ticket machine or office, but Mayor of London Boris Johnson claimed the system could be confusing.

Train firms are now reviewing the strategy and have removed the permit requirement, following an announcement to this effect at a rail summit in the capital last week.

It is hoped that this will make travelling around the city easier for millions of rail users.

Additional news from the event included the intention of train companies and TfL to work together in order to finalise the travel arrangements for next year's Olympic Games.

Michael Roberts, Chief Executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies, said: "An effective, reliable and affordable railway is crucial to keeping the capital moving."

TfL earlier reported that London is hoped to become a transport world leader in 2012 by allowing passengers to make use of the city's entire public transport network using their contactless bank or credit card.

Posted by Mary Treen