Elizabeth line: TfL to test new ticketing system

Transport for London (TfL) is planning to pilot a new ticketing system on the Elizabeth line, as part of wider upgrades at some of its stations. 

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced plans for a scheme using barcode-scanning equipment at ticket barriers.

Currently, Elizabeth line customers can use contactless or Oyster cards payment methods to travel on the £20bn line, with oyster cards accepted between Zones 1 and 6. 

Stations beyond West Drayton to the west do not accept Oyster. Passengers travelling on to Iver, Langley, Slough, Burnham, Taplow, Maidenhead, Twyford or Reading must buy a paper ticket or use contactless.

Tickets for National Rail services to and from London terminal stations are not valid on the Elizabeth line between Paddington and Liverpool Street. 

Mayor Khan told the London Assembly that TfL is working with the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) to pilot the use of hand-held barcode scanning equipment on the Elizabeth line.

Liberal Democrat  assembly member Caroline Pidgeon had asked Mayor Khan specifically about West Brompton station. 

She said: "GTR (Govia Thameslink Railway) has confirmed that digital ticket scanners have now been installed at all GTR-managed stations with ticket barriers except for the 20 GTR stations shared with TfL, including West Brompton, which remain outside the loop. 

“Given the soaring popularity of digital ticketing and the introduction of QR-coded tickets, could you please provide a timeline for either gateline or hand-held barcode scanners at West Brompton and the other shared London stations?"

The mayor replied: “TfL can confirm that West Brompton is in scope as part of the project to install barcode readers at selected stations. 

“The project is only at the design stage and TfL has ongoing discussions with the RDG about the project. Please note that currently there is no funding from RDG for the project and there is no implementation date. 

“TfL is also working closely with RDG to pilot the use of hand-held barcode scanning equipment on Elizabeth line services and stations.”

In a separate scheme, the mayor announced that TfL would be trialling “off-peak Fridays” for three months from March. Off-peak Friday fares would see travel at peak times from Zone 6 into Zone 1 fall from £5.60 to £3.60, saving passengers £2. Journeys from Zone 4 to Zone 2 will fall from £2.80 to £1.90, saving commuters 90p.

The London mayor has allocated £24m from his budget for the 2024-2025 financial year for the trial, which will require the support of the wider rail industry.

In his latest budget Mr Khan has frozen pay-as-you-go fares until March 2025, at a cost of £123m.