What is an Oyster card?
Q: What is an Oyster card?
A: The Oyster card is a form of electronic ticketing used on public transport services within London. It is a contactless smart card which passengers must touch onto an electronic reader when entering and leaving the transport system in order to validate it or deduct funds.
Q: What types of travel can be paid for with an Oyster card?
A: An Oyster card can be used on a number of different travel systems across London including London Underground, buses, the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), London Overground, trams, some river boat services and most National Rail services within the London Fare Zones.
Q: How does one add value to their Oyster card?
A: The cards may be "recharged" in person from numerous sales points, by recurring payment authority or by online purchase.
Q: Why should people use an Oyster Card?
A: Use is encouraged by offering substantially cheaper fares on Oyster than payment with cash.
Q: When was the first Oyster Card issued?
A: The first Oyster Card was issued to the public in July 2003 with a limited range of features.
Q: How many people have been issued an oyster card as of June 2010?
A: By June 2010, over 34 million Oyster cards had been issued.
