Oyster technology ready for part-time travel cards: If only businesses were encouraged by government to allow homeworking

Submitted this as a letter regarding news that 'Part-time travelcards would ease Tube overcrowding, say Tories' in the Evening Standard on Tuesday 5 March 2013, wasn't published so I'll share my thoughts here!

Even leading technology companies like Google and Yahoo are uncomfortable with home working which makes it difficult for passengers to change to non-traditional working hours or practises if they are not allowed to do this by their employers. TFL leads the world on ticketing and news that systems will be able accommodate part-time travelcards this proves how visionary the organisation is. As noted by Shasi Verma, the move to using contactless bankcards to pay for fares under Project Electra will allow users to be fairly charged for their actual usage.

The lesson from the Olympics, other that repeatedly drumming into passengers that their journeys will be hellish actually makes people stay at home, which is unfair on the massive amount of work that went into public transport management during the games. Was that engaging with companies to make them realise that their business will be affected by acute congestion meant that changing working patterns for their staff helped them better manage the adverse affect on their business.

I’d echo the calls of by business leaders from London First; giving the assembly control of the capitals funding would not only improve investment but also allow for a comprehensive system of tax relief for companies encouraging firms to permit home working to relieve congestion. This would not only includes times of intensive congestion whether it be during works or major events, but also generally reward positive attitudes to home working.