Contactless Travel Expands to 50 UK Train Stations & London Airports

A significant upgrade is coming for rail passengers across the UK, promising to make journeys smoother and more convenient. From December 14, contactless pay-as-you-go ticketing will be rolled out to an additional 50 stations and two major London airports.

Tap-and-Go for Smoother Airport Journeys

This expansion is particularly transformative for air travellers. Stansted Airport and Southend Airport train stations will join the likes of Gatwick in offering contactless payments. This means passengers can forget about booking tickets in advance and simply tap in and out using a bank card, mobile device, or Oyster card.

The change is part of a wider government scheme for the south-east, designed to modernise the rail network. Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy stated, "Rail ticketing is far too complicated and long overdue an upgrade to bring it into the 21st century." He emphasised that the move, supported by the government's Plan for Change, aims to deliver "straightforward, stress-free train travel" across the region.

Funding and Future Rollout

Officials confirmed that the upgrades are made possible by £18.7 million in UK Government funding, with additional support from Transport for London (TfL). This follows the successful rollout of the technology at 53 other stations in the south-east, with more stations expected to be added next year.

Alex Williams, TfL's Chief Customer and Strategy Officer, highlighted the growing popularity of contactless travel over the past decade. "We are delighted to be extending pay-as-you-go with contactless to a further 50 stations from 14 December," he said, noting it will make it easier for airport arrivals to travel into London.

Economic and Passenger Benefits

The move has been welcomed by airport executives. Gareth Powell, London Stansted’s Managing Director, called it "great news for passengers" that will make rail travel "even more simple and convenient." He pointed out that as a major gateway for European tourists, seamless rail links significantly improve the passenger experience and make train travel a more attractive option.

The full list of 50 stations introducing pay-as-you-go contactless travel from December 14 includes: