Transport for London (TfL) has teamed up with up-and-coming grime artist Lethal Bizzle to help raise awareness of the Zip Oyster photocard. Zip is the new free Oyster photocard for 11-15 year olds who qualify for free travel in the Capital.
The Zip Oyster photocard enables young people to retain their free or discounted travel rates. From June 1st you can no longer travel free without a photocard, so all 11-15 year olds without one need to apply by May 10th. Also from June 1st all young people must ‘touch in’ on buses and trams and ‘touch in and out’ on the tube and show their photocards on request.
Lethal Bizzle, who is about to release a collaboration with rising UK starlet Kate Nash and go on a national wide tour this April comments: “Free transport around the city opens doors for kids from all areas in London. When I started out with More Fire, free travel would have been a massive help getting to and from studio, getting to radio and going to shows, or meetings up West. If you haven’t applied you need to get yours now!”
All 11-15 year olds need an Oyster photocard to continue using free or half rate travel privileges. Zip Oyster Photocards can be ordered from your local post office or online at www.tfl.gov.uk/zip and all orders must be in by May 10th to ensure the card is received before June 1st.
These are the key points:
- From June 1st you can no longer travel free without an Oyster: All 11-15 year olds need an Oyster photocard to continue using free or half rate travel privileges – anyone without one must apply by May 10th to receive one before June 1st.
- It costs you nothing: The charge for the first Oyster card will be free – but if you do lose your card you will be charged £10 for duplicate cards – same for 16 + Oyster photocards.
- It makes and keeps your world bigger: The ZIP Oyster Photocard gives you freedom to travel across London.
- Touch in, touch out: As from June 1st Oyster photocard holders must touch in on buses and trams to validate their free travel. Touch in and touch out on the tube, DLR and London Overground.
- If you abuse it, you lose it: your entitlement to a Zip card is a privilege, not a right. If you violate the behavior code you risk your card being withdrawn and the benefits suspended. The Behaviour Code states that “When on London's public transport network or premises, you should always act sensibly and treat others as you would like to be treated. Your travel concession may be withdrawn if we believe that you have behaved in an antisocial way”.
- http://www.tfl.gov.uk/zip
- http://www.myspace.com/lethalbizzlemusic
- http://www.lethalbizzlerecords.co.uk
