The plans include fitting bikes with GPS trackers and upgrading transmitters inside docking stations from 3G to 4G, as well as creating one account for users to check bike usage and Oyster card credit.
It states: “GPS and 4G communications are being considered and early technical investigations have been positive in relation to varying trip pricing based upon the time of day or geographical location.”
Key parts of the cycle hire strategy, including the “cost and funding breakdown”, were agreed in a section of TfL’s board meeting last week from which the press and public were excluded.
In a statement, Peter Blake, TfL’s director of service operations, said: “The current service contract expires in July 2017, and we are already exploring ways to make Santander Cycles even better.
“This may include improvements to the bikes as they are replaced over time and that is why we are looking for a contractor who shares our ambitions for the scheme.”
