The professor who spent 30 years developing the technology behind Oyster cards and other e-money smartcards says he doesn’t earn a penny in royalties. Jim Scott, of St Andrews University, is the brain behind what is now a £100 million global industry, but the patents for the nano-memories he pioneered have expired.
Who made the Oyster card?
Cubic Transportation Systems
By June 2012, over 43 million Oyster cards had been issued and more than 80% of all journeys on public transport in London were made using the card.
Oyster card.
| Location | London, England |
|---|---|
| Launched | 30 June 2003 |
| Technology | Contactless smart card |
| Operator | Cubic Transportation Systems |
| Manager | Transport for London |
When was Oyster card invented?
First launched in 2003, it was so appealing that by June 2012, 80% of journeys in London were made using it. Since then almost 90 million cards have been issued. Each day two million people travel on the Tube alone, yet while it is convenient for commuters, it can be complicated for tourists.
Who owns Oyster card?
As the Oyster card was originally a contract between a company called TranSys and Transport for London, the brand originally belonged to TranSys. But when the partnership with TranSys was terminated in 2010, TfL acquired the rights to the brand at a cost of £1 million (phew).
Why are oysters called oysters?
Etymology. The word oyster comes from Old French oistre, and first appeared in English during the 14th century. The French derived from the Latin ostrea, the feminine form of ostreum, which is the latinisation of the Ancient Greek ὄστρεον (ostreon) ‘oyster’.
Is Oyster only in London?
No Oyster Card is a London specific product and can only be used on National Rail services in the Greater London area plus a few specific routes outside.
Why do Oyster cards exist?
An Oyster card is a smart card that you add money to, so you can pay as you go. You can pay as you go to travel on bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground, most Elizabeth line, IFS Cloud Cable Car and Thames Clippers River Bus services.
Does anyone use Oyster cards anymore?
Fast forward to 2019 and payments with contactless bank cards or mobile phones now make up 60% of all Tube and rail pay-as-you-go journeys in London. This is the equivalent of around 21 million journeys a week. The remaining 40% still use Oyster.
Do Oyster cards expire?
The pay as you go credit on your Visitor Oyster card never expires so you can keep your card until your next visit, or lend it to family and friends.
What was before Oyster card?
It almost wasn’t called an Oyster
Perhaps in an alternate universe, Londoners could be using Gem or Pulse cards to pay for their transport.
Who is TfL funded by?
Grants are received from central and local government. The main sources are: Business Rates Retention – funded from a proportion of local business rates and paid to us from the GLA. This is the largest source of grant income to TfL.
How many zones does Oyster have?
six fare zones
Within London, all London Underground, National Rail, London Overground, TfL Rail and Docklands Light Railway stations are assigned to six fare zones.
Does the UK still use Oyster cards?
If you buy a standard Oyster card in London or online after 4 September 2022 you now have to pay £7 for the card. This is not a credit to be used against travel, it’s the cost of the card now. If you already have an Oyster card from before 23 February 2020, you can still get your original £5 deposit refunded.
Are oyster asexual?
Most marine and estuarine animals reproduce sexually — including oysters, sharks and whales. To make things even more confusing, some animals like moon jellies reproduce sexually during one stage of life and asexually during another.
Do oysters really carry pearls?
Pearls are made by marine oysters and freshwater mussels as a natural defence against an irritant such as a parasite entering their shell or damage to their fragile body.
How long do oysters live for?
20 years
An oyster becomes an adult when it turns one year old and can live as long as 20 years. Oysters can change their sex. In fact, they will often do it more than once. Juvenile oysters are called spat.
How far can I travel on Oyster card?
This will let you travel as much as you like on any National Rail, London Overground, London Underground, buses, Docklands Light Railway and Tramlink service within London Zones 1 – 9 (depending on the zones you purchase).
Is Oyster cheaper on Tube?
The Oyster Card is a magnetic rechargeable plastic card valid for all of London’s public transport. It not only simplifies the payment system, but it is also cheaper than paying for a single journey ticket every time you ride the Underground, bus, DLR or Overground.
Is Oyster cheaper than contactless?
It’s the easiest and most convenient way to pay, is supported on every form of transport, and in most cases is either cheaper or the same price as using an Oyster card.
Can Oyster cards go negative?
All Oyster card balances, both positive and negative, stay forever until the customer cancels the card. This is unlike most other cities in the world where balances expire after a set period. A card with a negative balance may only be reused once it is topped up.
How expensive is an Oyster card?
How much does an Oyster card cost? The Oyster card costs £7. You then add money to the card to pay for your travel. The £7 fee is not a deposit.