Contactless payment postponed at 20 railway stations

The introduction of contactless payment at 20 railway stations has been postponed by six months, according to the train operator. Greater Anglia had previously announced plans to launch a tap-in, tap-out ticketing system at stations in Essex and Hertfordshire, including Stansted Airport.

The new system was originally scheduled to start on 14 December, but Greater Anglia confirmed on Wednesday that it will now be implemented in summer 2026 due to technical issues that require additional work.

Martin Beable, Managing Director of Greater Anglia, expressed regret over the delay, emphasizing the importance of a fully reliable system. "We understand the frustration caused by this postponement and apologise for any disappointment to our customers," he said. "It is crucial that contactless ticketing functions perfectly from the start."

Beable added that teams are collaborating closely with partners to complete the necessary work promptly, reaffirming the commitment to launch contactless payments at the additional stations by summer 2026.

The operator noted that the system requires full integration with Transport for London's fare structure, which necessitated further adjustments to ensure smooth operation.

Stations impacted by the delay include Billericay, Bishop's Stortford, Chelmsford, Rayleigh, and Sawbridgeworth.

This upgrade is part of an 18.7 million investment from the Department for Transport aimed at making rail ticketing more convenient, accessible, and flexible.

Author: Lucas Grant