Contactless ticketing for trains rolls out across south-east

Expansion to nearly 100 train stations of simple tap-in tap-out system that guarantees passengers best fare available at the time on the day 

On February 2 this year, dozens of key commuter lines into London will become fully contactless as the successful pay-as-you-go, tap-in tap-out system is rolled out to 47 more stations across the south-east. An additional 49 stations will be added by the end of the year. 

Photo by Alistair MacRobert

The contactless system, which has been in place across London for years, aims to make train travel simpler, more accessible and more flexible. Passengers save time and money on every journey taken when they use tap-in tap-out, and are guaranteed the best-value ticket available on the day. 

The government says the expansion of the system builds on its core principle of putting passenger experience at the heart of the railways, encouraging more people back on to trains. It also aligns with the wider Plan for Change in using technology to improve living standards, make working people better off and deliver growth. The government has also committed to what it calls the biggest overhaul of the rail network in a generation. 

The Department for Transport is already working Greater Manchester and the West Midlands on proposals to rollout contactless ticketing even further across the UK. 

The 47 stations to get contactless ticketing from February 2 comprise commuter lines into London operated by c2c, London Northwestern Railway, South Eastern, South Western Railway and Thameslink.  

The stations are: Apsley; Ashford; Basildon; Bat & Ball; Benfleet; Berkhamsted; Bletchley; Bricket Wood; Chalkwell; Cheddington; Datchet; Dunton Green; East Tilbury; Egham; Eynsford; Garston; Hemel Hempstead; How Wood; Kempton Park; King’s Langley; Laindon; Leigh-on-Sea; Leighton Buzzard; Otford; Park Street; Pitsea; Sevenoaks; Shepperton; Shoeburyness; Shoreham; Southend Central; Southend East; St Albans Abbey; Staines; Stanford-le-Hope; Sunbury; Sunnymeads; Thorpe Bay; Tilbury Town; Tring; Upper Halliford; Virginia Water; Watford North; West Hordon; Westcliff; Windsor & Eton Riverside; and Wraysbury. 

The rollout of contactless ticketing will continue through the year to a further 49 stations. This includes London Stansted Airport, so that all London airports will be accessible by tap-in tap-out ticketing for the first time. It also includes four stations announced just this week: Baldock, Hitchin, Letchworth Garden City and Stevenage. 

The 49 stations in all are: Ashtead; Aylesbury; Aylesbury Vale Parkway; Baldock; Box Hill and Westhumble; Billericay; Bishop’s Stortford; Chelmsford; Dorking (Main); Dormans; East Grinstead; Great Missenden; Harlington; Harlow Mill; Harlow Town; Hatfield Peverel; Hitchin; Hockley; Hurst Green; Ingatestone; Knebworth; Leagrave; Leatherhead; Letchworth Garden City; Lingfield; Little Kimble; Luton; Monks Risborough; Oxted; Princes Risborough; Prittlewell; Rayleigh; Reigate; Rochford; Roydon; Sawbridgeworth; Saunderton; Southend Airport; Southend Victoria; Stansted Airport; Stansted Mountfitchet;  Stevenage; Stoke Mandeville; Watton-at-Stone; Welwyn North; Wendover; Wickford; Witham; and Woldingham. 

Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill CBE, Minister for Rail, says: ‘The ticketing system is far too complicated, so we’re taking the stress out of navigating the labyrinth of fares and replacing it with new technology so passengers can simply tap-in tap-out, while being guaranteed the best fare available at the time on the day. This hassle-free technology will simplify thousands of journeys every day for passengers across the south-east, and it’s something we will roll out to other cities as soon as we can, unlocking growth across the country as part of our Plan for Change. 

‘We are delivering the biggest overhaul of our rail network in a generation, putting passengers at the heart of every journey and encouraging more people to choose rail.’   

Jacqueline Starr, Chief Executive of Rail Delivery Group, adds: ‘We want our customers to travel with ease with fares that reflect travellers’ needs post-pandemic. We’re delighted that pay as you go technology is being expanded to 47 stations which will provide convenience, simplicity and flexibility, making it easier than ever for customers to pay and travel seamlessly. We are committed to developing a simpler and better-value fare system that not only meets our customers’ expectations but also supports the long-term growth of rail travel and enhances the overall customer experience.’ 

In related news:

Labour AI promises trigger water crisis fears in South East England

Taxpayer funded services miss out on £45bn due to ‘archaic tech’

‘No negotiations with cybercriminals’: UK council ransomware payment ban proposed