METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Cubic, Transport for London honored for ‘Technological Innovation’

Launched in 2012, the contactless bankcard system was extended in 2014 to cover London’s entire transit network — including Tube, rail, bus and tram services.

March 2, 2016
Cubic, Transport for London honored for ‘Technological Innovation’

Transport for London

2 min to read


Transport for London

Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS) along with Transport for London (TfL) received a major honor for London’s contactless bankcard system after winning the ‘Technological Innovation’ award at the 18th annual Rail Business Awards. The event recognizes excellence and innovation in the UK’s rail sector. This is the eighth major award for Cubic and TfL’s contactless system.

Launched in 2012, the contactless bankcard system was extended in 2014 to cover London’s entire transit network — including Tube, rail, bus and tram services. Since the introduction of the contactless payment scheme, more than 350 million contactless journeys have been made across the network.

“It’s great to win another key industry award for our contactless payment system. This is just one of the many projects we are working on to make paying for transport easier for everyone travelling in the Capital and beyond,” said Shashi Verma, TfL’s Director of Customer Experience. “More than 28 percent of our pay-as-you-go customers use contactless payment already because it is so quick and easy. There's no need to top-up, you just touch in and out with your credit or debit card.”

Ad Loading...



Cubic played a crucial role in the development of the payment system, spending three years researching and developing the Tri-Reader 3 to process contactless-enabled bankcards. It’s the first reader in the transport industry certified to read Oyster cards, Integrated Transport Smartcard Organization (ITSO) cards and Near Field Communication (NFC)-enabled devices.

More than one million journeys are made using contactless bankcard payments every weekday. In addition, bankcards from more than 80 countries are used on the London system, bringing a new level of convenience for the millions of visitors who visit London each year.

More Rail

Two MBTA railcars in station.

FTA Ends Direct Oversight of MBTA Safety Actions

The federal agency closed its remaining special directive to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities following a safety review that began in 2022.

Read More →
A photo of an Amtrak train with a logo
Railby Staff and News ReportsSeptember 17, 2026

Amtrak, CN Reach Agreements to Strengthen Passenger Rail Service, Safety

The agreement resolves a more than decade-long proceeding before the Surface Transportation Board concerning the terms and conditions for Amtrak services, such as the City of New Orleans, Illini/Saluki, and Wolverine.

Read More →
A New York MTA subway car with an open gangway
Railby Staff and News ReportsSeptember 16, 2026

New York MTA Advances Final Contract for Second Avenue Subway Expansion

Contract Four is the largest in the Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 project and includes construction of station infrastructure, tracks, and signals for the subway expansion, MTA officials said. Work on Contract Four will begin in 2027.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A San Diego MTS Copper Line vehicle
Railby Staff and News ReportsSeptember 15, 2026

San Diego MTS Breaks Monthly Trolley Ridership Record

Agency officials said July’s ridership indicates MTS’s continued recovery from the pandemic.

Read More →
NJ TRANSIT's new Multilevel III commuter railcar manufactured by Alstom
Railby Alex RomanSeptember 14, 2026

Report Examines NJ TRANSIT Reliability, Funding Challenges

The Garden State Initiative analysis examines the roles of Amtrak infrastructure, fleet management, and agency operations while recommending a more performance-based approach to improving reliability.

Read More →
A CapMetro commuter rail train provided by Stadler
Railby Staff and News ReportsSeptember 11, 2026

Stadler, CapMetro Sign Long-Term Rail Fleet Support Agreement

Beginning in 2027, Stadler will provide on-site technical expertise, spare parts support, training, and obsolescence management to help extend the reliability and longevity of CapMetro’s GTW fleet.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Rendering of an Alstom train in a VIA Rail Station
Technologyby Alex RomanSeptember 10, 2026

Biz Briefs: Alstom Lands Canadian Contract, LYT to Supply California TSP, and More

In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at recent news from Complete Coach Works, Beep, FlixBus, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.

Read More →
The CATS Gold Line in service with the city skyline in the background.
Railby Staff and News ReportsSeptember 3, 2026

CATS Gold Line Marks 5 Years of Service, 2.8M Passenger Trips

With a six-mile expansion planned, the Charlotte streetcar is positioned to connect more neighborhoods and major transit hubs across the region.

Read More →
Designing Stations Around the Passenger
RailSeptember 2, 2026

Why Simulating Pedestrian Movement Has Become Essential for Modern Rail Stations

Pedestrian microsimulation is helping rail planners identify bottlenecks, test station designs, and prepare complex transit hubs for growing passenger volumes.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Amtrak Sunnyside Groundbreaking
Railby Staff and News ReportsSeptember 2, 2026

Amtrak Begins Major Construction at New York’s Sunnyside Yard

The new maintenance facility will support Amtrak’s Airo trainsets while improving maintenance efficiency and turnaround times in New York.

Read More →