Transport for London16+
Zip is the new name for Oyster photocards for young people. If you already have an Oyster photocard, you don't need to replace it, just use it until it expires.
You must touch in on the yellow reader as you board a bus or at the tram stop. If you do not, you may be liable for a penalty fare and your Oyster photocard travel concession may be withdrawn.
A 16+ Oyster photocard will allow you to buy 7 Day, monthly or longer Travelcards at child-rate and pay as you go at half the adult-rate on the Tube, DLR and London Overground. It will allow you to travel free or at half the adult-rate on London's buses and trams. 16-17 year-olds who do not have an Oyster photocard pay adult-rate fares.
How to get your 16+ Oyster photocard
Application forms are available from Post Offices in Greater London and areas just beyond the boundary that are served by the London bus, Tube and London Overground networks. Some schools have also agreed to distribute forms.Complete your application form and take it to a Post Office with:
- A passport-sized photograph
- Your original passport, ID card (from an European Economic Area country) or birth certificate as proof of age
- You must get your school or college to sign your application form. This can't be done before you have started your course for the current academic year
- Take proof that you live within a London borough to the Post Office with the completed application form. This can be a utility bill, council tax bill or driving licence. These can be in your parent or guardian's name, but must be for the same address as your application. Mobile phone bills will not be accepted as proof of address
If your 16+ Oyster photocard doesn't arrive within two weeks, please call 0845 330 9876*, quoting your application reference number.
* For BT residential customers, calls to the Oyster helpline will cost no more than 3.5p per minute, (current at August 2008). The price on non-BT phone lines may be different
Expiry
Your free travel concession will expire on the date printed on the front of your Oyster photocard. For applications made after 1 September 2008 this will usually be 30 September 2009. If your 18th birthday is after the free travel expiry date you'll be able to carry on using your Oyster photocard for half rate travel until the day before your 18th birthday.
General information
- If your 16+ Oyster photocard has been lost or stolen, you will need to re-apply to get a duplicate. You will need to pay a non-refundable fee of £10. You cannot apply via the Post Office but must apply online or phone 0845 331 9872*. If appropriate, a refund of the unused value of any ticket product or money to pay as you go balance on the lost/stolen Oyster photocard will be made by contacting Oyster Ticketing and Refunds, 55 Broadway, London SW1H 0BD or by calling 0845 330 9876*
- If your 16+ Oyster photocard will not activate the yellow reader, call the helpline* on 0845 330 9876
- If you have a query once your application has been submitted or want to track the progress of your application, please call the helpline* on 0845 330 9876 or alternatively you can text your application reference number to 07624 809330. You will receive a response from our SMS service. Standard network charges apply
- If you do not follow TfL's Behaviour Code or if you commit a crime on one of our vehicles, your concession on your Oyster photocard may be withdrawn
* For BT residential customers, calls to the Oyster helpline will cost no more than 3.5p per minute, (current at May 2007). The price on non-BT phone lines may be different
