Transport for London Appoints Indra to Operate Fare Collection System Under £524m Contract

Transport for London (TfL) has named Spanish technology firm Indra as its new strategic and technical partner for the operation of the city’s fare collection system, described by the company as “the world’s largest and most prestigious ticketing system” serving one of the globe’s most complex public transport networks.

The deal, known as Project Proteus, is valued at £524 million and runs until 2034. With possible extensions to 2039, the total contract value could exceed £845 million. The contract signing, announced on January 16, had been delayed due to an appeal from the previous contractor, Cubic Transportation Systems.

Transition and Scope

A two-year transition period will precede Indra taking full control of the system, which covers roughly 1,000 London Underground, Docklands Light Railway, and National Rail stations, 8,500 buses, London Trams stops, 24 ferry boarding points, 4,000 retail outlets selling ticketing products, and seven customer service centres.

The contract encompasses management of ticket vending machines, validators, gates, retail sales terminals, portable inspection equipment, and associated technical infrastructure and back-office operations, handling more than 8.6 million journeys every day.

Enhancements and Technology Upgrades

TfL and Indra plan to implement new technologies to increase operational efficiency and automate core processes. A major milestone will be the introduction of an account-based ticketing (ABT) platform, incorporating the Oyster card system, which has been in service since 2003. The ABT system is expected to provide TfL with greater flexibility in fare management, automatically applying the best fare for each passenger.

Global Ambitions

Under its “Leading the Future Strategic Plan,” Indra targets the UK, Ireland, and North America as key markets. Securing the London contract is one of the largest in the company’s history and is expected to reinforce its position among the world’s top three urban public transport technology providers.

Indra Executive Chairman Ángel Escribano said: “London is a global flagship for innovative and sustainable mobility. We are ready to take on this responsibility, aiming to exceed customer expectations and improve mobility for everyone in the capital.”