The date from which contactless "tap-in, tap-out" train payments will come into effect at Stevenage, Baldock, Hitchin and Letchworth Garden City stations has been revealed.
From December 14, passengers will be able to use a bank card or contactless enabled device to enter these stations, instead of manually buying individual or return tickets.
This comes as part of a wider £18.7 million rollout of contactless payment in 50 stations across the east and south-east of England, including Welwyn North and Knebworth, and is part of the government’s work to make rail fares and tickets more convenient, accessible and flexible.
According to rail minister Lord Peter Hendy, rail ticketing is "far too complicated and long overdue an upgrade".
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He continued: "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."
The scheme also includes Stansted and Southend airports, which means contactless payment will now be an option at all London airports for the first time.
The expansion comes as the government is in the process of bringing railway services and infrastructure back into public ownership by creating Great British Railways (GBR), with Govia Thameslink Railways’ services due for transfer to GBR on May 31, 2026.
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