Transport For London Meeting 19/02/2007

 

Staff and student officers from a variety of London Education Institutions met with staff from Transport for London to review the scheme and to discuss alterations for next year.

 

Review of 2006-07

 

There are 1163 Education Institutions in London currently signed up to the TFL discount scheme and offering it to their students.

 

204,326 Photo cards were issued. 32,921 were rejected.

 

19 establishments signed up to the on line application process. 40,132 on line cards were issued. 2,275 were rejected.

The reasons for rejection were:

 

Enhancements for the TFL Scheme 2007-08

 

The on-line application process will be mandatory for Institutions that had over 100 students apply for the scheme. However, paper forms will be available in limited amounts for those students unable to apply on-line due to banking difficulties etc.

 

They are reverting to two paper forms- one for full time students, one for part time students.

 

Student will be able to partially apply on-line, print off the application, get the Institution to validate and then it can be sent off.

 

An on-line lost/stolen oyster card replacement system will be developed.

 

They are developing the system for balances on lost/stolen cards to be able to be transferred to the replacement card. (instead of the current long process of claiming back the balance and receiving a cheque in the post).

 

The expiry date will be printed on the card

 

Application fee will remain at £5.

 

It is hoped the on-line application will reduced rejection rates, be less bureaucratic and be an easier process. It is very important that Students’ Unions and students lobby their Registry Departments to ensure they set up the on-line system properly.  TFL have stated they will be very strict with Institutions, with possible removal from the scheme if an Institution does not comply with the terms and conditions set out.

 

Over the next few months ULU will be working with TFL to improve the quality of the Application Instructions, Frequently Asked Questions and Rejection Letters, to aid students to apply for the discount.


Vicki Slater ULU President, is currently arranging to meet with the mayor in the next few weeks to submit her case for the discount to be extended to day and single tickets. Keep on signing the petition... send an email to supporttflcampaign@ulu.lon.ac.uk