The roll-out of contactless ticketing to 47 train stations across the South-East happened at the weekend, with the technology to be introduced at 49 more stations throughout 2025.
The ticketing aims to make journeys more flexible as passengers can use their bank cards to pay for travel rather than using paper tickets purchased in advance.
The new system means passengers get the best fare available on the day.
The Department for Transport (DfT) said the scheme was part of the Government’s plan to deliver the biggest overhaul of the rail network.
Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said: “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.”
The launch follows the technology introduced to six Chiltern stations last summer. Nearly 270,000 journeys using contactless cards or mobile devices were recorded in the first six months after contactless ticketing was introduced
Plans to add 47 stations to the contactless network were initially set for September 22 but were delayed due to a cyber attack on Transport for London (TfL).
DfT confirmed nearly a fortnight ago the new launch date of the first major tranche. It also announced that 49 more stations, including Stansted Airport, would be added later this year. This expansion will ensure all airports in the capital have access to tap-in, tap-out ticketing.
The DfT is reportedly collaborating with Greater Manchester and the West Midlands to develop proposals for expanding contactless ticketing.
The 47 train stations that received contactless ticketing on February 2:
Apsley
Ashford (Surrey)
Basildon
Bat & Ball
Benfleet
Berkhamsted
Bletchley
Bricket Wood
Chalkwell
Cheddington
Datchet
Dunton Green
East Tilbury
Egham
Eynsford
Garston
Hemel Hempstead
How Wood
Kempton Park
Kings Langley
Laindon
Leigh-on-Sea
Leighton Buzzard
Otford
Park Street
Pitsea
Sevenoaks
Shepperton
Shoeburyness
Shoreham (Kent)
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 Horndon
Westcliff
Windsor & Eton Riverside
Wraysbury
The 49 train stations that will get contactless ticketing later in 2025:
Ashtead
Aylesbury
Aylesbury Vale Parkway
Baldock
Billericay
Bishop's Stortford
Box Hill & Westhumble
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
Saunderton
Sawbridgeworth
Southend Airport
Southend Victoria
Stansted Airport
Stansted Mountfitchet
Stevenage
Stoke Mandeville
Watton-at-Stone
Welwyn North
Wendover
Wickford
Witham
Woldingham
