In a major overhaul of rail travel, 47 more National Rail stations across South-East England will embrace contactless pay-as-you-go from 22 September 2024.
Commuters can soon ditch queues and paper tickets and simply tap in and out with cards or devices. This expansion hopes to bring London-style travel convenience to a wider region.
Jacqueline Starr, Chief Executive of Rail Delivery Group, stated: "Customers have told us they want fares that reflect their needs and are simple to use. The way our customers buy tickets has also changed dramatically since the pandemic, and that's why we're delighted that pay as you go technology is being expanded to 47 stations. It is a step in the right direction providing convenience, simplicity and flexibility."
READ MORE: New bus to Gatwick Airport launched and tickets are only £2
Starr added: "Pay as you go technology empowers customers by ensuring they always get the right ticket at the right price, making it easier than ever 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."
The system integrates with London's transport network, offering daily and weekly fare caps for cross-network travellers. These are the Surrey stations set to benefit, with a few on the borders of Surrey:
- Ashford (Surrey)
- Datchet
- Egham,
- Kempton Park
- Shepperton
- Staines
- Sunbury
- Sunnymeads
- Upper Halliford
- Virginia Water
- Windsor & Eton Riverside
- Wraysbury
It will mean all you need to travel is your contactless card or device. There will be no need for you to queue for a ticket, buy a ticket or top up before you travel. You can benefit from daily and Monday to Sunday caps into and within London. National Rail says it will work out the best adult fare for you. . If you make the same journey regularly, buying a Season ticket may be better value. Advance tickets or promotional tickets may offer lower fares on some journeys.
Pay as you go with contactless is coming to 47 more National Rail stations across the South East from Sunday 22 September. Peter Williams, Customer and Commercial Director for South Western Railway said: “We are pleased that, from September, customers at an additional 12 of our stations will have access to fast and flexible payment, as pay as you go with contactless is introduced.
“Touching in and out at applicable stations will mean less time spent queuing to buy a ticket and will speed up journeys for our customers”
The full list of stations going contactless include: 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, and Wraysbury.
Get the latest traffic news, crash updates and roadworks to your inbox with our Surrey Traffic and Travel newsletter - sign up here
