TfL resumes some Oyster photocard applications

Transport for London (TfL) has resumed processing applications for some Oyster photocards two months after they were paused following a cyber attack.

People in the capital have been unable to apply for photocards - allowing discounted travel for some, including schoolchildren, students and those over 60 - for over two months.

One student, who had not been able to apply for a new student photocard, previously told BBC London the situation was costing her an extra £50 per month.

TfL said it would reopen photocard applications in phases that it intended to refund customers who had paid more for their travel than they should have due to the pause.

Following the cyber attack on 1 September, about 5,000 customers were contacted by TfL saying details including their sort codes and bank account numbers could have been accessed by hackers.

TfL then took the "difficult decision" to pause new concession photocard application sthe next day, while it "undertook important security checks".

But student Stefanie Harman, 24, speaking last week, criticised a lack of updates and said many students might be priced out public transport.

The Masters student said the situation was costing her an extra £50 a month, although she was keeping receipts in the hope for a refund.

The 18+ student photocard allows customers to save 30% on adult rate Travelcards and on bus and tram season tickets.

In the coming weeks TfL will also start accepting new applications for the 60+ Oyster photocard.

By late November, TfL will accept new applications for 5-10, 11-15 and 16+ Zip Oyster photocards, with expired 5-10 and 11-15 photocards still accepted until 31 December.

New applications for 18+ Student, 18-25 Care Leaver and Apprentice Oyster photocards are now being accepted.

Tfl said once customers received new photocards, it would provide information on how they could apply for refunds.

In a statement, deputy mayor for transport Seb Dance claimed TfL had worked "incredibly hard around the clock" to restore services taken offline due to the cyber attack.

Goksu Danaci, president of the Students’ Union at University College London (UCL), said she was relieved the student photocard issue was coming to an end.

"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," she said.

"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."