OYSTER CARD MUST WALK BEFORE IT CAN RUN A CASHLESS SOCIETY

10.24.17am GMT Fri 4th Mar 2005

Commenting on the decision by Transport for London and Mayor Livingstone to begin exploring the possibility of turning London into a cashless zone through the Oyster card, London Assembly Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson, Lynne Featherstone, said:-

"While it is welcome that the Mayor and Transport for London are looking for innovative ways to use the technology behind the Oyster card it seems that they are trying to run before they can walk.

"The Oyster card must deliver on its original promise of providing ticketless travel for all Londoners on the whole public transport network. Before embarking on a bid to remove cash from society, the first thing that the Mayor and Transport for London must do is to get train companies in the capital to offer the Oyster card as an alternative to paper tickets.

"The Mayor also promised that the Oyster card would become a London Culture Card and yet so far we have failed to see this delivered. The Mayor and Transport for London must get the foundations in place and working properly before expanding into other wish-list areas."

ENDS

In Ken Livingstone's Labour manifesto in 2004, he said:-

"Getting the most out of the entertainment and culture of our city

London is one of the greatest centres of entertainment, creativity and culture in the world. We will establish a London Culture Card building on the success of the new Oyster travel-card."