Citymapper to launch ‘one stop shop’ travel pass
The London-based travel app Citymapper is to launch a seamless “one stop shop” transport pass that it claims will be a world first for a major city. The subscription service, Citymapper Pass, will initially cost about £40 a week for unlimited travel on the Tube, buses and Overground in zones one and two, unlimited use of Santander bikes and £12 towards trips with Citymapper Ride cab shares. There will be a £30 option that includes the public transport access of the more expensive pass but excludes bikes and cab shares. It still undercuts the existing weekly Transport for London Travelcard by £5.10. Outside those zones the pass will operate as a pay as you go Oyster-style card.
Azmat Yusuf, Citymapper founder and chief executive, said: “It’s not just about the price, we’d like to provide a better experience … we want to make this really easy and reduce the hassle to a minimum.” Different packages with extra zone coverage are expected to be added “within months”. Citymapper hopes the whole capital will be on the system by the end of the year.
Tailor-made subscription packages based on the pattern of users’ journeys will be offered. There are also plans to extend the pass to car sharing clubs. Mr Yusuf said the service would be most useful for a typical “active” London commuter, adding: “These are people who use public transport every day but don’t want to get out their bank card every time and also don’t want those little charges on their bank statement.”
An app needed for the pass will launch on Monday. Passes are expected to be sent out next month with the system going live by the end of March. There is no upfront fee or cancellation charge.
TfL said the subsidising of the travelcard cost intended to attract users will be covered by Citymapper. A TfL spokesperson said: “Citymapper have now confirmed that we will be paid the existing fares as usual for all journeys on our services as part of their proposals for a subscription service bundling together a number of transport options.”
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