Big win for transport users as London TravelWatch persuades TfL to drop its plans to make all stations cashless

19 January 2021

London TravelWatch is today celebrating a big win for passengers in London who rely on cash to travel around the city as TfL decided to drop its plans to stop taking cash across all London Underground, DLR and London Overground station ticket offices and machines.

TfL’s decision follows research by the watchdog which showed the significant impact withdrawing cash would have on passengers, especially those on low incomes, children or the 260,000 adults in London without a bank account. London TravelWatch’s investigation showed that some stations don’t have a Ticket Stop, usually a newsagent or convenience store, nearby, meaning that it would have been harder to top up an Oyster card with cash.

London TravelWatch Director, Emma Gibson commented: ‘We’re delighted that TfL have decided not to go ahead with their plans to stop taking cash at all stations across the capital. Their proposals would have left a large number of people in London reliant on newsagents to top up their Oyster cards using cash but our research has shown that many London Underground or DLR stations don’t have one nearby or they may not be open when passengers need them.

We are however disappointed that TfL have not set a date to re-instate cash at over 200 underground, DLR and overground stations where it was withdrawn early in the pandemic. We’ll be putting pressure on them to bring back cash at these stations as soon as possible.’

Notes to editors

  1. London TravelWatch is the operating name for the London Transport Users Committee. We are the official watchdog representing the interests of transport users in and around London, and independent of the transport operators and government. London TravelWatch is sponsored and funded by the London Assembly, part of the Greater London Authority.
  2. See attached letter from TfL confirming their decision
  3. For more information, please contact the London TravelWatch press office on 07734 055494.