Railways: Greater London

Norman Baker
To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport when he expects to publish the Fares Direction for London; and whether the Direction will specify a date by which the use of Oyster Pay As You Go is to be accepted on the national rail network in the London area.

Chris Mole
The Department for Transport, Transport for London and train operators are working together on the acceptance of Oyster Pay as You Go at London train stations and the acceptance of ITSO Smartcards on Oyster equipment. Subject to a successful conclusion to the current discussions, which will include the issue of Fares Directions to the operators, we anticipate that Oyster will be accepted throughout the London network towards the end of the current year, or very early in 2010.

Norman Baker
To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what discussions the Secretary of State has had with the Mayor of London on (a) responsibility for the rail network in London and (b) re-zoning in London; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mole
As part of regular meetings and correspondence between the Mayor and the Secretary of State for Transport, topics related to franchising such as the responsibility for the rail network in London, along with re-zoning have been discussed.