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. Apsley. Ashford (Surrey). Basildon. Bat & Ball. Benfleet. Berkhamsted. Bletchley. Bricket Wood. Chalkwell. Cheddington. Datchet. Dunton Green. East Tilbury. 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. Upper Halliford. Virginia Water. Watford North. West Horndon. Westcliff. Windsor & Eton Riverside. Wraysbury. Ashtead. Aylesbury. Aylesbury Vale Parkway. Baldock. Billericay. Bishop's Stortford. Box Hill & Westhumble. Chelmsford. Dorking (Main). Dormans. East Grinstead. Great Missenden. Harlington. Harlow Mill.