From 14 December, passengers travelling on Great Northern, Southern, and Thameslink services will be able to use pay as you go contactless at 21 additional stations across the South East, the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced.

The system allows travellers to touch in and out using a contactless card, smartphone, or smartwatch, eliminating the need to buy tickets in advance or queue at stations. It also enables seamless travel across trains, Tube, London Buses, and trams that accept contactless payments. Fares are automatically calculated based on journeys made, with daily and weekly caps in place for travel into and within London, ensuring passengers always pay the best available adult fare.

The rollout forms part of the Government’s plan to simplify rail fares and make train travel more convenient. Alongside these 21 stations, pay as you go contactless will also be extended to 29 other South East stations, including Stansted Airport.

Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said:

“Rail ticketing is far too complicated and long overdue an upgrade to bring it into the 21st century. Through the expansion of tap in tap out technology, and shortly through GBR, we’re doing just that and making buying tickets more convenient, more accessible, and more flexible – and ensuring passengers can get the best fares. As part of our Plan for Change, we’re delivering straightforward, stress-free train travel across the south-east, supporting passengers and boosting economic growth, jobs and homes.”

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) Chief Customer Officer Louis Rambaud added:

“We’re pleased to be supporting this Government initiative to give our customers simple, easier journeys. To prepare for the extension of pay as you go with contactless, a TfL-style fare structure will be introduced at these stations for journeys to other stations in the contactless and Oyster area, the week before, on 7 December.”

Key changes to fares under the new system include:

• Single journeys priced at half of a return journey

• Journeys charged at either peak (anytime) or off-peak rates, with off-peak fares adjusted to remove super off-peak tickets; advance tickets will remain available

• Off-peak fares introduced for single journeys that previously only had anytime fares

• Revised weekday peak times of 6.30am–9.30am and 4pm–7pm in the main direction of travel, matching the TfL system, allowing new early morning off-peak travel but introducing evening restrictions for trains leaving London

The 21 stations gaining pay as you go contactless are:

Great Northern: Baldock, Hitchin, Knebworth, Letchworth Garden City, Stevenage, Watton-at-Stone, Welwyn North

Southern: Ashtead, Box Hill & Westhumble, Dorking, Dormans, East Grinstead, Hurst Green, Leatherhead, Lingfield, Oxted, Reigate, Woldingham

Thameslink: Harlington, Leagrave, Luton

Image: Govia Thameslink Railway