TfL on your bank statement stands for Transport for London, indicating charges made for travel on London's public transport network, typically when you use a contactless payment card or device.
When you use a contactless card for journeys on the Tube, bus, tram, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line, and most National Rail services in London, these transactions are processed by Transport for London. Unlike immediate individual charges for each journey, TfL uses a "daily capping" system, meaning charges often appear as a single cumulative amount, or a few aggregated charges, for a day's or week's travel.
How TfL Charges Appear on Your Statement
Your monthly statements will consistently refer to TfL as either 'TfL.gov.uk/CP' or 'TfL Travel'. This will then be followed by the type of transaction, such as 'Charge' or 'Refund'.
Here are common ways TfL transactions might appear:
| Statement Description | Type | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| TfL.gov.uk/CP Charge | Debit | A charge for travel on the TfL network, often representing a single day's accumulated journeys or the result of daily capping. |
| TfL Travel Charge | Debit | Another common format for a travel charge, similar to 'TfL.gov.uk/CP Charge'. |
| TfL.gov.uk/CP Refund | Credit | A credit back to your account, typically for an overcharge, an adjustment due to a new cap, or a customer service resolution. |
| TfL Travel Refund | Credit | A refund for travel. |
| TfL PENDING | Pending | An initial authorization check when you first tap your card, which will later be replaced by the actual charge. This is a temporary hold. |
Understanding Daily and Weekly Capping
One of the key features of contactless payments on TfL is capping. This ensures you automatically pay the best fare for the journeys you make in a day or a week. Once your accumulated fares reach a certain cap, you won't be charged more for subsequent journeys within that period. This means a single "TfL Charge" could encompass multiple taps over a day.
Why You Might See a TfL Charge
- Public Transport Use: The most common reason is traveling on London's public transport network using your contactless debit or credit card, or a mobile payment device linked to your card.
- Failed Tap-Out: If you forget to tap out at the end of your journey, TfL might apply a maximum fare, which could be adjusted later.
- Adjustments: Sometimes, charges are adjusted overnight or over a few days as TfL calculates the best fare for you, especially with daily or weekly capping.
- Authorisation Checks: Initial small amounts (e.g., 10p or £1) might appear as pending transactions when you first use a new contactless card, to verify the card's validity. These are usually not debited.
How to Check Your TfL Travel History
If you're unsure about a specific TfL charge, you can easily view your complete travel history and payment details.
- TfL Online Account: Visit the official TfL website and create or log in to a contactless and Oyster account. Once logged in, you can link your contactless payment card(s) to view a detailed breakdown of your journeys, charges, and daily caps. This is the most effective way to reconcile charges on your bank statement.
- TfL App: Download the TfL Go app, which also allows you to link your contactless card and review your journey history.
Linking your card is crucial as it provides transparency and helps you understand exactly what you've been charged for, including any caps or refunds applied.
