2012 Olympics travel plans in doubt as Oyster card contract is scrapped

Davey Winder
Monday, 11 August 2008 21:54

IT Industry - Market

In July came the biggest embarrassment yet: 60,000 Oyster cards were corrupted by a software failure which involved incorrect data tables at the Transys end. Customers using the cards found they were being charged the maximum fare no matter how short the journey.

A second failure of a similar type happened just a couple of weeks later, this time resulting in free travel for everyone at all London Underground stations as ticket barriers had to be left open.

London Underground said at the time that "steps are being taken to ensure that this does not happen again."

One cannot help but wonder if the big contract cutting scissors were part of the solution.

What this means for the Oyster card is not at all clear as Transys own the Oyster brand. The high recognition rate amongst public transport users in London, and the investment already made, would suggest that Transport for London will want to retain the name.

Whether Transys will be willing, or more to the point how much it will cost TfL, is yet to be confirmed.

The bigger question, though, has to be how all this will impact upon the ability of London to deliver an efficient and effective public transport system for the 2012 Olympic Games?

Especially as Transys were said to have been in talks with the Olympic organisers to use the Oyster card as a combined travel and events ticket. In fact, some had gone as far as to say that 2012 would be the first cashless Olympics as a result.

Shashi Verma told The Guardian that "We have had lots of negotiations with the Olympic Delivery Authority. When they settle down and figure out what kind of ticketing system they want, we will figure out what we need to do. But in some way shape or form Oyster is going to be used.'

Well, that's all very clear and precise then...