More rail stations to adopt contactless payments

All of the new stations are on the Govia Thameslink Railway network

More train stations across Surrey and Sussex are to get contactless payment systems.

The roll out in 2025 at 11 stations comes after almost £27 million of funding was given to the project by the Department for Transport (DfT).

The DfT says this will mean simpler and more flexible train travel.

From this month passengers using another eight Surrey stations and six in Kent will benefit from contactless payment.

The 11 new stations are on the Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) network and are served by either Thameslink or Southern services.

Passengers travelling from these stations will be able to continue to use pre-paid barcode and paper tickets.

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said: "This government will direct every penny into creating a stronger, more reliable rail network that works for everyone.

"This is about making the railways work for the people that use them – putting passengers first and driving up performance."

The stations are:

• Ashtead

• Box Hill and Westhumble

• Dorking (Main)

• Hurst Green

• Leatherhead

• Oxted

• Woldingham

• Dormans

• East Grinstead

• Lingfield

• Reigate

Other stations selected for the rollout include both Stansted and Southend Airport stations.