Simpler train travel for commuters with tap-in, tap-out technology roll out across Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire

Passengers travelling to and from Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and London will soon benefit from simpler train journeys, with the expansion of contactless ticketing.  

Tap in tap out technology will be available at 50 stations across the south-east from 14 December, making train travel simpler, more accessible and more flexible - just in time for Christmas travel.   

The technology rollout is part of the government’s work to make rail fares and tickets more convenient, accessible and flexible through the move to Great British Railways (GBR) and builds on the introduction of other innovative ticketing technologies, such as Digital Pay as You Go trials running in Barnsley, Derby, Doncaster, Harrogate, Leeds, Leicester, Nottingham and Sheffield.   

Made possible by £18.7 million in government funding, with support from Transport for London, 12 of these 50 stations are in Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire – including Luton, Aylesbury and Princes Risborough - ensuring seamless connections to and from the capital. 

The stations getting the technology are served by Govia Thameslink and Chiltern Railways, which are set to come into public ownership next year. 

By making it easier to choose rail, the scheme will help passengers get the cheapest fares on the days they travel, make it easier to access work and as a result boost growth, as part of the Plan for Change. 

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.” 

Tap-in tap-out ticketing allows passengers to use a bank card or contactless enabled device to enter any train station, instead of manually buying individual or return tickets. The government has already rolled out this technology at 53 additional stations across the south-east, with 5.6 million journeys taken since June 2024, and more stations to follow next year. 

Alex Williams, Chief Customer and Strategy Officer at Transport for London (TfL), said: 

“For more than ten years, the popularity of convenient travel via pay as you go with contactless has grown and become increasingly popular across London and the surrounding areas. We are delighted to be extending pay as you go with contactless to a further 50 stations from the 14 December, including Stansted Airport, making it easier for those arriving at the airport to travel to London and experience all the city has to offer.

“Expanding pay as you go with contactless will further help those travelling by rail outside London do so more flexibly and conveniently, avoid the need to pre-purchase tickets or paper Travelcards when heading into the capital, and support the wider UK economic recovery through easier access to rail travel.

Jacqueline Starr, Executive Chair and CEO of the Rail Delivery Group Said: 

 “This is another important step in making it easier for customers to travel by train. Extending tap-in-tap-out to a further 50 stations will mean even more rail customers can benefit from this technology, knowing they will always pay the right fare at the right price. The rail industry is committed to working with government to improve and enhance the overall experience for our customers." 

Michael Stewart, Customer and Commercial Strategy Director at Chiltern Railways, said:  

"Expanding pay as you go to a further nine stations on the Chiltern network is a huge boost for our customers. 

"Contactless ticketing is quick, easy and enables a more seamless way of paying for journeys." 

Louis Rambaud, Chief Customer Officer for Govia Thameslink Railway which runs Southern, Great Northern and Thameslink services, said:  

"We’re pleased to be supporting this Government initiative to give our customers simple, easier journeys.” 

The expansion comes as the government is delivering the biggest overhaul of the railways in a generation through the creation of GBR, which will help to deliver better, more modern services for passengers and simpler fares across the network.  

Contactless technology will become commonplace under GBR, which once established, will build on the expansion of existing successful Pay As You Go and fares trials.   

The expansion of tap-in tap-out builds on the introduction of other innovative ticketing technologies, like the digital ticketing trials which have seen more than 4,000 journeys taken since gradually launching in September, as well as simpler ticketing in Greater Manchester, which ends the complex array of fares.