As almost everyone must now know, the Silvertown Tunnel opened on Monday. I’m not going to comment on the charges for road users for both it and the adjacent Blackwall Tunnel, but I do want to clarify the options for free travel using Oyster or contactless PAYG.
Buses: Routes 108, 129 and SL4 run through one of the tunnels and they are free to use until at least April 7th 2026. Because there is no way to know whether you’ve gone through the tunnels or not, all journeys on these three routes are free. You must still touch in with your Oyster card or contactless card/device, but you will not be charged.
DLR: Passengers touching in at Woolwich Arsenal and out at King George V, or in at Greenwich or Cutty Sark and out at Island Gardens (plus the reverses) will initially be charged the normal fare. However, within 2 weeks the card or account will receive a refund. Again, this facility will be in place until at least April 7th 2026. Greenwich is included because Cutty Sark will be closing for long term escalator replacement at the end of May this year. The reason that the DLR option involves charging and a refund is that TfL can only change rail fares at set dates each year, usually March, June and September. Because this facility is aimed at encouraging foot passengers across the river, refunds will only be provided for the three specific station pairs, and not for any longer journeys that happen to include the river crossing.
There are a couple of edge cases which I intend to test out shortly and will report back if there is a problem.
“Because this facility is aimed at encouraging foot passengers across the river, refunds will only be provided for the three specific station pairs”
TfL does know about the foot tunnels at both the locations where the DLR is free, right?
I often stay close to Island Gardens so this is relevant to me.
Si Hollett. Yes, the foot tunnel is free, but the lifts in there are as unreliable as the escalators at Cutty Sark. They’ve been broken (both ends) for the last week, and probably longer but I was away from London so could not check. The foot tunnel is not a viable option for anyone with a pram or a wheelchair user.
Concerning the free DLR between Island Gardens and Greenwich. I’ve done this a few times in the last week. I’ve been charged every time, and no sign of a refund yet. I will keep watching my oyster account….