TfL explores barcode ticketing at gates to enable fully digital rail journeys

Transport for London (TfL) is exploring plans to install barcode readers on ticket gates, a move that would allow National Rail tickets covering cross-London journeys via the Underground to be issued digitally rather than on paper.

At present, TfL gatelines are unable to read barcodes, meaning through rail tickets that include a transfer on the Tube must still be printed. This remains the case despite the wider rail industry having largely shifted to digital retail, with TfL noting that 79% of National Rail tickets are now sold digitally through barcodes, smartcards or pay-as-you-go.

TfL said there is a shared ambition across the rail industry to accelerate the move towards digital ticketing as part of broader fare reforms. However, it stressed that any changes must remain inclusive, ensuring options continue to exist for passengers who rely on paper tickets or cash payments.

Working alongside the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents train operators, TfL has begun market engagement to assess the feasibility of designing, developing, testing and rolling out a scalable, end-to-end barcode ticketing system across TfL stations.

The initial focus would be on stations where National Rail services operate behind TfL gatelines, such as Farringdon and Stratford. The next phase would target major cross-London interchange stations and TfL-sponsored rail services, including London Overground and Elizabeth line stations. Rollout would then extend to London Underground stations in Zones 1–3, before eventually covering the rest of the Tube network. There are currently no plans to introduce barcode ticketing on buses.

Under the proposals, fixed barcode readers would be installed at existing TfL gatelines and integrated with current systems. Back-office systems would need to comply with RDG barcode standards and interface with non-TfL operators and third-party ticket retailers, while remaining flexible enough to support future TfL barcode retailing.

Portable barcode readers would also be required for revenue protection inspectors, potentially delivered as a software application on existing TfL inspection devices.

To ensure inclusivity, TfL would also need the ability to sell barcodes printed on physical ticket stock, replacing its existing magnetic tickets as a “ticket of last resort” for customers paying by cash or card.

TfL plans to host an open supplier information day in early February, followed by the release of a market-sounding questionnaire. Any future contract could run from 1 June 2027 to 3 January 2033, with options to extend up to January 2038. TfL would retain ownership, or a perpetual licence, to any intellectual property developed as part of the programme.