Oyster users overcharged

Oyster card users have been overcharged about £1 million because of delays in limiting fares, it was claimed today.

The revelation came as pressure grew for an inquiry after a computer crash caused the £50 million smartcard system to collapse.

Card readers across the 270 Tube stations and on 8,000 buses failed yesterday morning - taking five hours to repair and losing Transport for London thousands in revenue. While London Assembly transport chairman Lynne Featherstone called for a "full and transparent investigation" into the failure, the Lib-Dems unearthed figures exposing the amount card users have overpaid as a result of delays in "capping" fares.

Oyster pre-pay was introduced in January 2004 with the promise customers would pay no more than a Travelcard rate if they made multiple journeys. But capping only began last month, meaning card users could have saved £1 million or more if it had been introduced even as late as last May.