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Post by snoggle on Feb 23, 2017 22:54:52 GMT
Let's try again as previous attempt was chucked away by ProBoards  COurstesy of some FOI info being released there is now some info available about the long rumoured Oyster Ticketing App that TfL are producing. It is now on a limited field trial with a view to a public launch in April 2017. The App is available on I-Phone and Android for the trial. With the App and enhanced system functionality you will be able to do the following - collect top ups, tickets and refunds on any bus - collect top ups, tickets and refunds at any rail station. Although not stated in the document I assume tram stops count as "stations". - collect online orders 30 minutes after you've placed the order - receive PAYG balance notifications and "low balance" alerts - collect orders as you exit tube, Overground, DLR and NR stations. At present you can only collect on entry. - make purchases via the TfL app These improvements are pretty much a game changer I think for those who want to buy season tickets or PAYG "on the go" or if you want to order at home and then collect when you next use a bus or a rail journey. The main risk I can see for TfL is their ability to keep the App up to date as operating platforms change and customers ask for more and more improvements. This is more complex to manage given TfL are managing people's money and they need to ensure they don't damage the generally high trust levels in the operation of Oyster. |
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Post by Nathan on Feb 23, 2017 23:47:06 GMT
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Post by snoggle on Jul 19, 2017 11:26:24 GMT
We are now at the stage of some elements of the next phase of TfL's Future Ticketing Project are coming to fruition. As trailed in the recent Customer Service & Ops Performance Meeting TfL have announced today the introduction of faster uploads of online orders for those using gates or validators at LU, DLR, National Rail / Overground stations and River bus / tram stops. Your PAYG value or Travelcard ticket will now be available within 30 minutes of ordering at any station rather than a nominated location 24 hours later. tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2017/july/01-base-page-47127Further developments will be introduced over the next few months / year. 1. Introduction of the Oyster App allowing ordering of ticket products "on the go", balance checking, balance alerts. 2. Pick up of online orders on any bus within 30 minutes 3. Weekly capping for Oyster PAYG customers 4. Enhanced Hopper ticket functionality allowing multiple changes of route within 1 hour and also giving a Hopper discount if there is a rail mode trip between two bus rides within one hour. One word of caution about using the planned TfL App. You need a second generation Oyster card for the app to work with. Details about identifying what type of card you have and how to replace a first generation card is available at tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/oyster/using-oyster/first-generation-oyster-cards?cid=first-generation-oyster |
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Post by Eastlondoner62 on Jul 19, 2017 11:35:08 GMT
One thing I do hope that they introduce is the ability to actually tap your Oyster card on that back of your phone in order for it to top up. I know Oyster cards do trigger some sort of reaction in Samsung phones at least, and I imagine if programmed they can be triggered in any phone which has NFC capabilities. It would hopefully allow for an instant top up, and the ability to top up many Oyster cards from one device.
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Post by vjaska on Jul 19, 2017 13:07:45 GMT
One thing I do hope that they introduce is the ability to actually tap your Oyster card on that back of your phone in order for it to top up. I know Oyster cards do trigger some sort of reaction in Samsung phones at least, and I imagine if programmed they can be triggered in any phone which has NFC capabilities. It would hopefully allow for an instant top up, and the ability to top up many Oyster cards from one device. Would that be similar to the contactless function which to this day I've still not used once? |
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Post by Eastlondoner62 on Jul 19, 2017 13:12:24 GMT
One thing I do hope that they introduce is the ability to actually tap your Oyster card on that back of your phone in order for it to top up. I know Oyster cards do trigger some sort of reaction in Samsung phones at least, and I imagine if programmed they can be triggered in any phone which has NFC capabilities. It would hopefully allow for an instant top up, and the ability to top up many Oyster cards from one device. Would that be similar to the contactless function which to this day I've still not used once? Yeah, it would be. However the phone would act similar to the reader on a ticket machine allowing you top top up and check your Oyster details with just one tap. That said something else that I always wanted, but might not be the easiest thing to implement is when your phone acts as the Oyster itself. But then that brings up all sorts of problems such as you effectively having two copies of one oyster card, one virtual one on your phone and a physical one in your pocket, and if that happens no doubt people would abuse it allowing people to share Oysters etc. |
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Post by Eastlondoner62 on Oct 23, 2017 19:24:15 GMT
After remembering that I had this installed on my phone, I opened the app to find out that my new Oyster Photocard is still a 1st generation card. I imagine all photocards have this issue judging by the fact my one is brand new but I'm surprised TfL don't seem to have made an effort to bring these facilities to photocards.
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Post by Hassaan on Oct 23, 2017 20:26:11 GMT
After remembering that I had this installed on my phone, I opened the app to find out that my new Oyster Photocard is still a 1st generation card. I imagine all photocards have this issue judging by the fact my one is brand new but I'm surprised TfL don't seem to have made an effort to bring these facilities to photocards. I had the same issue with my 18+ card, then I noticed that in the app description on Google Play it said (right near the bottom!) that photocards won't work with the app  . TfL also make it difficult to buy discounted Travelcards online, you have to go into the old photocard website to do so instead of the usual Oyster Online system. link |
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Post by snowman on May 7, 2019 8:34:17 GMT
Looks like TfL have issued a tender relating to handling oyster refunds Section 11.2.4 seems to require a £200,000,000 overdraft facility (overdraft, not even a bank facility ?) Link to tender |
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Post by Pilot on May 7, 2019 11:06:22 GMT
Going back to the whole app thing though, I was just talking about this with other driver the other day as he suggested me this idea and I said lol no thanks, because the whole 'app' idea will just bring another level of excuses from passengers oh my 'phone battery is dead'.
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Post by snoggle on May 7, 2019 11:52:22 GMT
Going back to the whole app thing though, I was just talking about this with other driver the other day as he suggested me this idea and I said lol no thanks, because the whole 'app' idea will just bring another level of excuses from passengers oh my 'phone battery is dead'. Err the app doesn't entitle you to travel. It is just a way of allowing people to check card balances, journey history and add value / order tickets while on the move. Given the much faster comms network now in place the value or ticket will be available to collect on the bus or at a station within 30 mins. It is not like the ticketing apps other bus companies use which have actual tickets on them. I've not seen a single word of complaint about the Oyster ticketing app here, from drivers or on social media. That suggests it works reasonably well. |
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Post by Pilot on May 7, 2019 11:59:16 GMT
Going back to the whole app thing though, I was just talking about this with other driver the other day as he suggested me this idea and I said lol no thanks, because the whole 'app' idea will just bring another level of excuses from passengers oh my 'phone battery is dead'. Err the app doesn't entitle you to travel. It is just a way of allowing people to check card balances, journey history and add value / order tickets while on the move. Given the much faster comms network now in place the value or ticket will be available to collect on the bus or at a station within 30 mins. It is not like the ticketing apps other bus companies use which have actual tickets on them. I've not seen a single word of complaint about the Oyster ticketing app here, from drivers or on social media. That suggests it works reasonably well. Yeah one of my typical hard to understand responses again lol, I meant to say if there was an app which allowed people to use for travel, or school kids to have their oyster passes because they seem to 'forget' them all the time and so on. I do agree with you/other people opinion on the actual app though. |
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Post by snoggle on May 7, 2019 12:00:20 GMT
Looks like TfL have issued a tender relating to handling oyster refunds Section 11.2.4 seems to require a £200,000,000 overdraft facility (overdraft, not even a bank facility ?) Link to tender *International* Oyster refunds. It actually looks far more like normal banking and payment facilities including project related payments. I suspect this is just a normal retendering of a regular banking contract that TfL place. I assume the huge overdraft is needed to cover for those times (largely seasonal) when cash influx is low but payments out are higher. |
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. TfL also make it difficult to buy discounted Travelcards online, you have to go into the old photocard website to do so instead of the usual Oyster Online system.
