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Transport for London

16+ Zip Oyster photocard

Terms and conditions for the 16+ Zip Oyster photocard scheme - 2012 to 2013

Section 1- Introduction

  1. These Terms and Conditions apply to those applying for a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard (referred to as a 'photocard' for short). This can be:

    1.1. a parent/guardian applying on behalf of their child (the applicant) aged under 18; or
    1.2. an applicant aged 18 or over who is applying for a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard for themselves.

  2. The term 'applicant' refers to the potential photocard holder, whether under 18, 18, or over 18, even if the application is in fact made by a parent/guardian.
  3. It is the responsibility of any applicant, and any parent/guardian applying on behalf of an applicant, to ensure they are familiar with these Terms and Conditions.
  4. The 16+ Zip Oyster photocard scheme:

    4.1. allows young people aged 16-17 (from London or outside) to travel at half the adult rate on TfL services, and
    4.2. offers free bus and tram travel to young Londoners aged 16-18 and in some cases 19 remaining in full time education. For details see section 2.

  5. All photocards and tickets are the property of TfL and are issued in accordance with TfL's Conditions of Carriage which are available at tfl.gov.uk/tickets
  6. TfL may terminate or revise this scheme, or amend the Terms and Conditions of the scheme, at any time. The most up to date terms and conditions will always be available on the TfL website at tfl.gov.uk/tickets
  7. TfL may refuse to issue a photocard.

Section 2 - Eligibility criteria

  1. There are two types of concession , which will allow photocard holders either:

    1.1. to travel free on buses and trams, and also "pay as you go" at half adult rate on all other TfL services, or
    1.2. to "pay as you go" at half adult rate on all TfL services only.

  2. On most National Rail routes young people aged 16-18 will need to pay the full adult rate unless they have an applicable rail discount card. For more information visit tfl.gov.uk/tickets
  3. Free Travel - To be eligible for free travel on buses and trams, a person must be:

    3.1 aged 18 or under on the 31 August 2012,
    3.2 in full time education (their education establishment must confirm this), and
    3.3 resident in a London borough. If they attend school in a London borough but they live outside London, they are not eligible for free travel.

    Full-time education (for the purposes of qualifying for free travel on buses and trams) means:

    A minimum of 12 hours of guided learning per week - between 09:00 and 17:00 Monday-Friday - for a minimum of ten weeks, on further education courses at Level 3 or below in a school sixth form, sixth form college, academy, Further Education college or other training provider.

    Examples of Level 3 courses are A levels (AS/A2), vocational awards such as BTEC or City & Guilds qualifications at level 3, and the International Baccalaureate. They also include apprenticeships and training courses funded by the Education Funding Agency provided the age criterion in 3.1 is met. The school, college or training provider will be able to confirm whether the course qualifies.
  4. Half rate only - To be eligible to "pay as you go" at half adult rate on TfL services with a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard, the young person must be under 18 years of age. They don't have to live in a London borough or be in full time education.
  5. A young person may only hold one active photocard at a time, across all TfL schemes.
  6. If an existing photocard holder applies for a new photocard, they must use the new photocard as soon as it arrives.
  7. The photocard will expire on the date shown on its front. If the photocard holder orders a replacement the photocard will be stopped. Use of a photocard after the date of expiry may lead to prosecution.

Section 3 Application process- general information 

  1. Applications for London residents can be made at a Post Office in London or online.
  2. For applicants applying for free bus and tram travel, the scheme is open for applications between 1 September 2012 and 30 June 2013. 
  3. Applicants applying for half rate can apply at any time, up to two weeks before their 18th birthday. 
  4. Applications for photocards may be made either by the parent/guardian of someone aged under 18 on their child's behalf, or by someone aged 18 or over on their own behalf.
  5. TfL defines the parent/guardian of someone aged under 18 as an adult that the photocard holder lives with for the majority of the time.
  6. Where an application made by a parent/guardian is accepted by TfL, there is an agreement between TfL and that parent/guardian.
  7. As part of TfL's internal audit process, TfL may contact a parent/guardian or applicant aged 18 or over and ask them to provide further proof of the applicant's age. If this happens, a photocard won't be issued (or an existing photocard may be stopped) until satisfactory further proof has been sent in.
  8. The parent/guardian or applicant aged 18 or over must pay a non-refundable £10 fee for the application. The fee is non-refundable even if the application is rejected.
  9. The photograph that is submitted must be a full face passport type photo of the applicant - ink jet quality photos are not accepted. It must be a true likeness of the applicant and they should not be wearing anything that covers their head unless it is worn for medical or religious reasons. Their full face must be clearly visible.
  10. TfL is not liable for any application, rejection letter, email or photocard lost, damaged or delayed. This includes any delay before the application is sent from the Post Office to the photocard processing team.
  11. You must pay a non-refundable £10 administration fee if you are replacing a lost, stolen or damaged photocard.
  12. When an application is received for a new photocard to replace a lost, stolen, damaged or failed card, or to renew a free bus and tram concession or to update a photo, the existing photocard will stop working on or shortly after the replacement photocard is issued. For example, if a photocard holder's free travel is due to expire on 30 September, and an application is made for renewal of the free bus and tram concession at the beginning of September, their existing photocard will stop working shortly after a new one has been issued. So even though the expiry date printed on the photocard is 30 September it will actually stop working earlier in September (but the new one will work instead).
  13. While waiting for a new photocard the photocard holder will need to pay for their travel if their existing photocard has been stopped. (In general, however, in the absence of unusual delays, a replacement photocard will be issued before the old photocard stops working).
  14. No refunds will be made for tickets bought before an applicant receives their photocard except where it has been proved that there was a fault or failure on the part of TfL.
  15. A parent/guardian or applicant aged 18 or over who contacts us about an application must have the 11 digit application number or TfL may be unable to respond.
  16. For people aged under 18, TfL can only discuss an application with the parent/guardian whose name is on the original photocard application or the photocard holder.
  17. If TfL has withdrawn a photocard that was previously issued, a replacement photocard may not be issued unless the applicant has fulfilled all of the conditions necessary to have their photocard reinstated. This applies to any photocard withdrawn including photocards issued to them when they were under 16 years of age.

Section 4 - Online application process

All conditions outlined in Section 3 apply to online applications.

  1. To apply online, the parent/guardian (or the applicant if aged 18 or over) must create a web account if they don't already have one. To create a web account they will need an active email address and they will need to provide their name, address and date of birth.
  2. The address that is used in the web account is the address that will be used to determine eligibility for free bus and tram travel and is the address that the photocard will be sent to.
  3. TfL is not liable for any emails about an application that are not received by you or TfL.
  4. If you are not able to complete the whole application online, you will be prompted to download a verification letter. You will need to take this to a Post Office branch in London along with the required proof or to pay the application fee.
  5. As part of the application process, you will need to state whether you are in full time education and TfL will verify this by getting confirmation from your education establishment.
  6. As part of the application process, you will need to upload a photo that will be used for your 16+ Zip Oyster photocard.
  7. Your application will be rejected if your photo does not meet our requirements (see 3.9)

Section 4 A - Online applications for London Residents who have been unable to complete their application online

  1. If you are unable to complete all of the application steps online, you will need to download a verification letter and bring it to a Post Office in London with any relevant identification to complete your application. You will also need to make payment at the Post Office if you are unable to do so online.
  2. To verify your address, you will need to go to a Post Office bringing one of the following forms of identification along with your verification letter :
    • a residential utility bill (dated within the last three months), 
    • current council tax bill 
    • bank, building society or credit card statement (dated within the last three months)
    • current council or Housing Association rent book or statement 
    • a current full UK driving or provisional licence.

      If the address that you provided in your application does not match the identity you bring to the Post Office, your application will be rejected.
  3. To verify your age, you will need to go to a Post Office bringing one of the following forms of identification along with your verification letter:
    • a valid passport
    • an ID card from a European Economic Area country
    • a birth certificate
    • a current full UK driving or provisional licence
    • a Biometric Residency Permit

      If the date of birth that you provided in your application does not match the identity you bring to the Post Office, your application will be rejected.
  4. You will need to verify that you are in full time education if you are applying for free bus and tram travel. If your school/college is participating in the online pilot, you will be able to apply wholly online if we can verify your age (see 5.1 for more information). If they are not, you will need to download the verification letter and get your school/college to complete it. You will need to bring it to a Post Office in London to complete your application.
  5. If you have been unable to pay the application fee online, you will be able to pay by credit/debit card or cash at a Post Office branch in London.
  6. The verification letter is valid for two weeks from the date of application. If you do not go to the Post Office during that time, the verification letter will expire and you will need to download another one.

Section 5 - Online application process for London residents whose establishment can accept online applications

  1. You will need to verify that you are in full time education if you are applying for free bus and tram travel. If your school/college is participating in the online pilot, you will be able to apply wholly online if we can verify your age
  2. If you have been unable to verify your age online, or you have been unable to pay online, you will need to download a verification letter and bring it to a Post Office in London. See sections 4.1, 4.2 and 4.4 for more information on acceptable forms of identification.
  3. Once your application fee has been paid and your application completed, your application will be forwarded to your education establishment for approval or rejection.
  4. All applications must be authorised by your education establishment, who must confirm that your details are correct and that you meet the education eligibility criteria.
  5. Your application will be rejected if your photo does not meet our requirements (see 3.9).
  6. It is your education establishment's responsibility to approve their students' applications in a timely manner. TfL is not liable for any expenses, including travel costs, incurred by applicants as a result of any delay or error by their education establishment.

Section 6 - Paper applications by London residents at a Post Office in London

  1. All conditions outlined in Section 3 apply to paper applications made at a Post Office.
  2. 16+ Zip Oyster photocard application forms are available from Post Offices in London and should only be used by applicants who live in a London borough.
  3. Paper application forms can only be submitted at a Post Office in London.
  4. A parent/guardian of an applicant aged under 18 or an applicant aged 18 or over must provide proof of their address when they apply. For details of acceptable identification see section 4.1.
  5. A parent/guardian of an applicant aged under 18, or an applicant aged 18 or over, must provide proof of the applicant's age when they apply. For details of acceptable identification see section 4.2. If you are applying for free bus and tram travel, the applicant's school/college must complete section 3 of the application form. If this section is not completed your application will either be rejected, or you will be issued with a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard with half rate travel only, and not with the free bus and tram concession.
  6. If the parent/guardian provides an email address on the application form, we will create a web account for you.
  7. The application form and photograph cannot be returned.

Section 7 - Applications for non London residents

  1. All conditions outlined in Section 3 above apply to online applications.
  2. To apply online, the parent/guardian must create a web account if they don't already have one. To create a web account they will need an active email address and they will need to provide their name, address and date of birth.
  3. TfL is not liable for any emails about an application that are not received by you or TfL.
  4. If TfL is able to verify the young person's age online, and you live in the UK we will post the 16+ Zip Oyster photocard to the address given in the application.
  5. If TfL is unable to verify the young person's age online, or you live overseas, the photocard will have to be collected from a Travel Information Centre (TIC). The parent/guardian will be able to select a TIC during the application process. More information on TICs, and which ones you can collect from, is available on the website at tfl.gov.uk/photocard
  6. The photocard will only be available at the TIC you have nominated online. It will be available from the collection date you have specified in your application, for a maximum period of 14 days. After that time it will no longer be available for collection.
  7. If you have fully completed an online photocard application and have nominated a TIC from which to collect the photocard, TfL won't be able to change the collection place or date. You must make another application and pay the £10 application fee. The fee for a complete application is non-refundable.
  8. You will need to bring your confirmation email with you when you go to the TIC to collect your child's Oyster photocard.
  9. TICs cannot issue a photocard to applicants who do not provide the required proof of age. This should be either the applicant's passport, ID card from a European Economic Area country, birth certificate or driving licence (full or provisional).

Section 8 - Obligations of the parent/guardian

  1. A parent/guardian applying on behalf of their child is expected to ensure that the photocard holder adheres to the Behaviour Code while they are under 18 years of age.
  2. The parent/guardian must notify us of any change to the photocard holder's details, including change of address.
  3. The parent/guardian must complete all parts of the application, and confirm that they accept the terms and conditions. This includes signing and dating the form for paper applications and clicking acceptance of terms and conditions for online applications.
  4. The parent/guardian must notify TfL as soon as possible if the photocard holder loses their photocard, even if they are not going to order a replacement.

Section 9 - Obligations of the Oyster photocard holder (applicant)

  1. All applicants must sign up to the Behaviour Code as part of the application process. The photocard holder must agree to adhere to the Behaviour Code, and must follow its guidance at all times when travelling on public transport.
  2. The photocard holder must notify TfL as soon as possible if they lose their Oyster photocard, even if they are not going to order a replacement.
  3. The photocard holder must always touch in when using buses and trams, and touch in and out when using Tube, Docklands Light Railway, London Overground and National Rail services.

Section 10 - Use of the 16+ Zip Oyster photocard and what we will do if something goes wrong

  1. The photocard holder must always touch in when using buses and trams, and touch in and out when using Tube, Docklands Light Railway, London Overground and National Rail services.
  2. If the photocard fails, the failure should be reported to TfL as soon as possible. TfL will refund the full costs of all bus and tram travel if the photocard holder was eligible for free travel. For all other tickets we will refund the difference between the ticket that was purchased and what the photocard holder would have paid if their photocard had not failed. You will need to send TfL both the failed Oyster photocard and the tickets the photocard holder has bought to be eligible for the refund. This should arrive with TfL within one month of the photocard being reported as failed. If TfL does not receive the failed photocard and copies of tickets, within this timeframe, TfL will be unable to process a refund. You must send TfL the tickets for every journey you are claiming for.
  3. In most cases, TfL will transfer season tickets or pay as you go credit from a lost, stolen or damaged photocard to a replacement photocard. If TfL are unable to do so, you will be sent a refund in the post, if you are eligible for one.
  4. To be eligible for free bus and tram travel (where applicable), on boarding a bus or before boarding a tram, the photocard holder must touch their photocard on the yellow card reader and wait for a green light. If using the tram at Wimbledon they must touch in at the gates and again at the yellow card reader on the tram platform.
  5. If the photocard holder has insufficient pay as you go credit on their photocard or they do not touch in or out properly when using pay as you go, their photocard may stop working, even if they get free travel on buses and trams. If this happens, they must top it up before they can travel.

Section 11 - Enforcement 1

  1. The travel concession is not a statutory right. Any breach of the Terms and Conditions, including the Behaviour Code, may, at the discretion of TfL, result in the withdrawal of a photocard and the photocard holder may not be able to get another one. The Behaviour Code can be found on tfl.gov.uk/behaviourcode
  2. The photocard is not transferable. It is only for the photocard holder's use and allowing others to use it is a breach of the Behaviour Code.
  3. The free travel concession on the photocard is only valid while the photocard holder meets the eligibility criteria of the scheme. If the photocard holder leaves their course or moves out of London, the parent/guardian or the photocard holder must let us know within seven days by calling 0343 222 1234 so that their photocard can be stopped. If this is done and the photocard holder is aged under 18, we will issue the photocard holder with a half rate photocard free of charge. If they are 18 or over, and no longer in education, or have moved outside London, they are no longer eligible for the scheme.
  4. The photocard holder's free travel concession will be withdrawn without notice if TfL receive information from their education or training provider or otherwise that they no longer meet the eligibility criteria of the scheme. Use of the photocard to obtain free bus and tram travel when the photocard holder is no longer eligible may lead to prosecution.
  5. If the photocard holder can no longer be identified by the photograph on their photocard, a replacement photocard must be ordered online and a new photograph uploaded. A £10 administration fee will be charged for this.
  6. TfL will not tolerate its staff or agents being threatened or abused, physically, verbally or in writing. Any such conduct by the applicant and/or their parent/guardian may result in any application being rejected or the 16+ Zip Oyster photocard being cancelled or withdrawn. TfL may reject or refuse to consider applications for concessionary travel from anyone who engages in such conduct for a period or indefinitely.

Privacy Notice

Transport for London (TfL), its subsidiaries and service providers, will use your personal information for the purposes of customer services and administration, the provision of travel related information, customer research and fraud prevention. The use of this Oyster photocard, in connection with National Rail products or services, will authorise TfL to share the concession holder's personal information with relevant Train Operating Companies (TOCs) so that they can use it for the same purposes. Any personal information will be properly safeguarded and processed in accordance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.

Relevant police services, and Local Authority Anti Social Behaviour Units, may provide TfL with details of any breaches of the Behaviour Code and/or criminal convictions, warnings, reprimands, or other sanctions issued in relation to offences that have been committed by the concession holder on, or in relation to, London's public transport network. Such information may be used as the basis for the withdrawal of the concession and TfL may inform the police of any decision to withdraw the concession. Further information is available at www.tfl.gov.uk/privacy

In certain circumstances, TfL and relevant TOCs may also share the personal information provided in this application form with the police and other law enforcement agencies for the purposes of the prevention or detection of crime.

TfL may contact the concession holder or the parent/guardian shortly before the expiry of this travel concession, to inform them of the ticketing options available from that date.

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