TfL considers upgrade to barriers to accept barcode tickets

[Edvid]

Has been an award notice published 14th May

Part of it refers to Hina rail readers, is this the name of what is being added

Hina readers will use NFC, like the existing yellow Remote Ticketing Devices (card readers) they'll replace. The barcode readers are a separate workstream.

 

[ATS3]

London buses can currently read travel cards on ITSO Smartcards issued by TOCs but not English concessionary cards (also ITSO) issued by non-London authorities.
I wonder if the intention is to sort out the latter problem?

Yes, new ticket machines on London Buses should be rolling out from this year.

 

[Railguy1]

Yes, new ticket machines on London Buses should be rolling out from this year.

Great news.

 

[Edvid]

I understand this is off-topic (please move to another thread if necessary), but...

Yes, new ticket machines on London Buses should be rolling out from this year.

Ticket / pass validation is handled by the card readers, not the ticket machines. In any case the card readers won't be replaced this business year (see post) and the ticket machines will be replaced by driver consoles at some point.

 

[ATS3]

I understand this is off-topic (please move to another thread if necessary), but...



Ticket / pass validation is handled by the card readers, not the ticket machines. In any case the card readers won't be replaced this business year (see post) and the ticket machines will be replaced by driver consoles at some point.

Ah thank you, didn't realise that

 

[Edvid]

TfL has outlined the next steps towards integrating barcode readers with their gatelines in Ticketing and Revenue Update #159.

BARCODE INTEGRATION INTO LU GATELINES

Transport for London (TfL) is officially moving forward with a major infrastructure upgrade to integrate fixed barcode ticket readers across the London Underground network. Following a formal market engagement process that concluded just before Easter, the project is transitioning from a conceptual phase into a structured delivery programme.

Strategic Market Findings
The market assessment has yielded promising results for TfL's procurement strategy. An open and competitive market has been identified, featuring four primary contenders capable of managing comprehensive service delivery. In total, approximately fifteen suppliers responded to the engagement, providing preliminary cost estimates that TfL describes as reasonable and aligned with internal expectations.

A New Operational Framework
The project will require the collaboration between several key stakeholders. While the physical gates will remain, they will soon fall under the management of Indra, the newly appointed ticketing systems contractor. The integration of the barcode solution may require a third-party supplier to work directly with Indra, TfL and the RDG. This collaboration is a critical component of the newly defined service model, which outlines how barcode technology will coexist with the current gate architecture.

Timeline and Implementation
Key milestones include:
Summer 2026: Finalising market issues and securing funding from the Department for Transport (DfT)
2026-2027: A year-long procurement process for equipment, with an estimated contract value between [redacted]
Post-2027: Equipment trials followed by a phased Vanguard, primarily at the top twenty stations for barcoded tickets

The procurement and testing exercise is necessary given the project's scale and even then, full retail functionality, the ability to buy barcoded tickets from LU POMS is not expected until 2029 / 2030 at the earliest. As a consequence, we can expect that traditional magnetic stripe (mag) tickets to be around for a few more years.

Choosing the Trial Ground
Selection of the pilot station remains a point of strategic debate. While quiet stations like Kentish Town offer a controlled environment to deliver immediate benefits, officials have not ruled out high-traffic hubs like Farringdon or Stratford. The prevailing logic is that if the barcode system can successfully handle the intense footfall at Farringdon, it will be robust enough to work anywhere on the network.

 

[Mattplans]

Thanks for posting this. It seems TFL are no longer updating https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/search ?

 

[Benjwri]

It seems TFL are no longer updating https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/search ?

It was a temporary issue that is now resolved.

 

[Snow1964]

New update in TfL Board Programme and Investment Committee papers

1.1 This paper provides the Committee with an update on Project Hina, a project todevelop a new generation of ticket readers to support TfL's future ticketing and payment capabilities. This project is authorised under the Technology Programme, for which authority was last granted by the Committee in March 2026.

1.2 The project is critical to maintaining the long-term resilience, security and operational stability of TfL's revenue collection infrastructure as the existing reader estate continues to operate beyond its original design life.

1.3 The project will provide the foundation for future enhancements to customer payment and ticketing services while supporting the continued collection of fare revenue across the transport network

https://board.tfl.gov.uk/documents/s27211/pic-20261007-item-13-part%201-Project%20Hina%20Update.pdf

 

[Edvid]

New update in TfL Board Programme and Investment Committee papers

https://board.tfl.gov.uk/documents/s27211/pic-20261007-item-13-part%201-Project%20Hina%20Update.pdf

I've created a separate thread for this particular scheme:

Project Hina - replacement card readers for TfL rail estate and buses

For the first time in a while this scheme has its own section in TfL board papers (link), to be discussed at next week's Programme & Investment Committee. 3.1 TfL's current ticket reader technology has served the network well for many years and has enabled the growth of contactless payment and...

www.railforums.co.uk

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Sep 2026 ==

A couple of notable points regarding TfL fixed barcode readers in Ticketing and Revenue Update #161:

* TfL and the DfT have agreed project funding terms.
* Use of handheld readers at Farringdon, Finsbury Park, Kentish Town, Moorgate, Old Street and Stratford will soon become mandatory.

Why Are Handheld Scanners Necessary?
Technology is constantly moving forward and because so much more information can be stored digitally in a QR code compared to a traditional magnetic strip and the ease and practicality of online purchases, the Department for Transport (DfT) and National Rail are issuing more barcoded tickets than ever before.

Unfortunately, our current London Underground (LU) physical ticket gates cannot read them, which often leaves passengers stuck at the barriers and creates a headache for staff.

To fix this for good, Transport for London (TfL) and the DfT are funding a two-year station upgrade programme to build barcode readers directly into our physical ticket gates.

Until these permanent upgrades are complete, handheld scanners remain operationally essential to:
* Successfully validate NR barcode tickets.
* Protect vital revenue.
* Provide a seamless, smooth journey for passengers travelling around our network.