Concern Regarding Withdrawal of Paper One Day Bus & Tram Pass by TfL

Hello

I am writing to bring your attention to the recent decision by Transport for London (TfL) to withdraw the sale of the paper One Day Bus & Tram Pass, as outlined in the Staff Guide to Fares and Ticketing (March 2025). This change, which took effect from January 2025, has significant implications for many passengers, particularly those who are digitally excluded, as they now face additional barriers to purchasing the pass.

TfL’s decision to cease the sale of paper passes at Tube, DLR, tram, and railway stations was made without public consultation, and there has been no published Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) regarding the potential consequences for various groups, including elderly, disabled, and infrequent travellers, as well as overseas tourists. Moreover, the Mayor of London has not been notified of this development, which I believe is an oversight given the potential impact on accessibility.

While the Oyster version of the One Day Bus & Tram Pass remains available at Oyster Ticket Stops, the withdrawal of the paper version disproportionately affects those who do not have access to contactless payment methods, including those without smartphones, bank cards, or Oyster cards. This issue is especially challenging for individuals whose Oyster cards have been lost or stolen and are waiting for replacement cards to arrive, leaving them with no choice but to pay cash for travel. Additionally, overseas visitors, who may struggle with navigating TfL’s digital systems, are now faced with fewer options for purchasing tickets.

The lack of consultation and the absence of an EqIA in this decision are concerning, particularly when considering the potential consequences for vulnerable groups who rely on paper tickets for travel. Furthermore, the decision seems to mirror previous moves by TfL, such as the attempted withdrawal of the paper Day Travelcard in 2023, which also sparked considerable backlash.

This issue has been highlighted by CLondoner92 in a recent blog post, which provides further context on the matter. You can find the post here: https://clondoner92.blogspot.com/2025/03/transport-for-london-quietly-withdraws.html.

I urge you to look into this matter and advocate for the needs of those affected by the change.

Thank you for your attention to this important issue.

BRTA Recommends people write to their MP: https://members.parliament.uk/members/commons