Transport for London (TfL) has resumed taking in requests for Oyster photocards after being forced to halt applications following a cyber security attack.
TfL announced today (4 November) that after two months of not being able to accept any applications for Oyster photocards, they are beginning to accept some requests as they continue to restore their services.
From Monday, those applying for new 18+ Student, 18-25 Care Leaver and Apprentice Oyster photocards can submit applications again, with TfL saying they will process these as quickly as they can.
Once new photocards have been issued, TfL intends to refund passengers who have paid more for their travel due to not being able to send in new applications. TfL will provide information on how customers can apply for additional travel cost refunds once photocards start to be supplied.
Oyster cards are a popular payment method for those making their way around London. It is a smart card that you add money to pay for transport around London on the bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground and most Elizabeth line journeys, as well as the cable car and Thames Clippers River Bus services.
Oyster cards can also be used while travelling on National Rail services inside and some outside the capital.
However, on 1 September 2024, TfL identified suspicious cyber activity and took immediate action to secure its network, working with the National Crime Agency and the National Cyber Security Centre throughout the process.
Thousands of customers were contacted by TfL following the incident, explaining that certain customer data had been accessed, including some customer names and contact details, including email addresses, home addresses, as well as possibly bank account numbers and sort codes for a limited number of customers.
From TfL’s investigations so far, there is nothing to suggest that Oyster photocard data has been compromised.
While dealing with the cyber incident, TfL said they made the “difficult decision” to temporarily pause any new concession photocard applications through its website while undertaking security checks.
While the transport body says they are still finalising restorative work to its services, it said it has now “safely” brought back online its concession photocard website and has begun to process new applications.
TfL said it will be…
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