Transport for London (TfL) has named Indra Group as its new long‑term partner for the operation and enhancement of its revenue collection systems—including the capital’s iconic Oyster and rapidly expanding contactless ticketing network.
The seven‑year contract, awarded through a competitive tendering process, places Indra in charge of operating, maintaining and developing the systems used by millions of passengers across London and the wider South East. These systems underpin seamless travel for commuters, leisure travellers and visitors, forming the backbone of fare collection on the Tube, buses and rail services.
Indra brings extensive global expertise, having delivered more than 2,500 mobility projects in over 100 cities worldwide. Its appointment marks a major step in TfL’s strategy to future‑proof London’s fare technology and ensure continued reliability for the 90% of Tube and bus journeys now made using Oyster or contactless payment methods.
Expanding Contactless Across the South East
A key priority within the contract is supporting the ongoing expansion of pay‑as‑you‑go contactless travel. TfL is working closely with the Department for Transport (DfT) on widening the scheme to additional National Rail stations.
In 2024, 30 stations adopted contactless for the first time, with another 20 due to go live in 2026—part of a long‑term push for simpler, more integrated rail journeys across the region.
Modernising Oyster with Account‑Based Ticketing
The new partnership will also accelerate long‑awaited upgrades to the 20‑year‑old Oyster system. TfL and Indra plan to introduce account‑based ticketing, enabling customers to benefit from greater flexibility and automatic best‑fare calculations.
The upgrade could eventually allow Oyster cards to be loaded onto mobile phones and support other digital enhancements—bringing Oyster in line with the functionality passengers now expect from modern ticketing platforms.
Smooth Handover from Cubic Transportation Systems
Over the coming months, Indra will work alongside Cubic Transportation Systems—operator of Oyster and contactless since their inception—to ensure a seamless transition. Existing Cubic staff working on the contract will transfer to Indra where appropriate, helping maintain continuity and service reliability for passengers.
Industry Reaction
Shashi Verma, Director of Technology Strategy and Revenue at TfL, said:
“Millions of journeys are made on our public transport system every day, and it is vital that customers can trust the ticketing system to ensure they are charged the correct fare. We look forward to working with Indra group on the next evolution of our Oyster and contactless ticketing system.
“I also want to thank everyone at Cubic Transportation Systems for their work and innovation in delivering, maintaining and improving the Oyster and contactless system over the past decades. The hard work and innovation by Cubic helped make the system as instantly recognisable and successful as it is.”
Ángel Escribano, Executive Chairman of Indra Group, commented:
"We feel very proud to become Transport for London's technological partner for such an ambitious and transformational project for the transportation of London, a global flagship, a leader in the field and an example of innovative and sustainable mobility for the rest of the world's metropolises. We're ready and eager to take on the challenge with responsibility, with a view to exceeding customer expectations and helping improve mobility for everyone living in or visiting the UK capital.”
Image credits: TfL
