TfL Restarts Processing Applications for Certain Oyster Photocards

Transport for London (TfL) has recommenced the processing of applications for specific Oyster photocards, two months after the service was suspended following a cyber attack. For over two months, residents in the capital were unable to apply for these photocards, which offer discounted travel to various groups, including schoolchildren, students, and individuals over 60. A student, previously unable to obtain a new student photocard, informed BBC London that this situation was costing her an additional £50 each month. TfL announced its intention to reopen photocard applications in stages and committed to refunding customers who incurred higher travel expenses than necessary due to the suspension. The cyber attack, which occurred on 1 September, led to approximately 5,000 customers being notified by TfL that personal details, including their sort codes and bank account numbers, might have been accessed by hackers. The day after the attack, TfL made the “difficult decision” to halt new concession photocard applications to “undertook important security checks.” However, Stefanie Harman, a 24-year-old Masters student, voiced criticism last week regarding the lack of updates, expressing concern that many students might find public transport unaffordable. She noted that the situation was costing her an extra £50 per month, though she was retaining receipts in anticipation of a refund. The 18+ student photocard enables users to save 30% on adult rate Travelcards and on bus and tram season tickets. In the coming weeks, TfL will also begin accepting new applications for the 60+ Oyster photocard. By late November, new applications for 5-10, 11-15, and 16+ Zip Oyster photocards will be accepted, with expired 5-10 and 11-15 photocards remaining valid until 31 December. Applications for 18+ Student, 18-25 Care Leaver, and Apprentice Oyster photocards are currently being accepted. TfL stated that once customers receive their new photocards, information on how to apply for refunds will be provided. Deputy mayor for transport, Seb Dance, affirmed in a statement that TfL had worked “incredibly hard around the clock” to restore services that were taken offline due to the cyber attack. Goksu Danaci, president of the Students’ Union at University College London (UCL), conveyed her relief that the student photocard issue was nearing resolution. She remarked, “Students have had a difficult start to the academic year with continuing cost of living pressures, and travel costs are a large part of a students daily expense.” Danaci added, “We’re pleased TfL is now accepting 18+ Student Photocards applications again and has committed to refund students for any additional costs they’ve incurred during the time applications have been unavailable.”