Contactless payment plans at 20 stations across the UK have been delayed
- READ MORE: Train ticket rule to be scrapped next month - saving thousands of holidaymakers from £100 fines
Plans to roll out contactless payment systems at 20 stations across the UK have been delayed.
Train operator Greater Anglia's extension of pay-as-you-go contactless ticketing has been postponed and is expected to take place in summer 2026.
It was announced last month the operator will introduce the system across stations in Essex and Hertfordshire, including Stansted Airport.
However, it has now been revealed the plans will be delayed, and a new launch date has not yet been released.
Greater Anglia's update was due to come into force on December 14th. However, issues were found with the system, meaning more work was required before it is rolled out, according to Greater Anglia.
The operator's website said: 'During detailed testing, issues were identified that could have affected journeys and the price paid on Greater Anglia services and prevented the technology from working as intended.
'For the extension of pay-as-you-go contactless ticketing to operate correctly, Greater Anglia's fares must be fully integrated into TfL's fare system.
UK train operator Greater Anglia has delayed the roll-out of its contactless payment option in certain stations
'Additional work is required to ensure this integration is seamless and delivers a reliable experience for customers.'
It also added: 'Greater Anglia apologises for any inconvenience this delay may cause and thanks customers for their patience while the necessary work is completed to ensure the contactless system operates as expected from launch.'
Martin Beable, Greater Anglia's managing director, said: 'We understand how frustrating it is when improvements like this are delayed, and I am very sorry for the disappointment this will cause some of our customer.
'It is essential, however, that contactless ticketing works reliably from day one.
'Our teams are working closely with our partners to complete this work as quickly as possible, and we remain committed to introducing contactless ticketing across these additional stations by summer 2026.'
It comes as the Department for Transport announced 49 other stations across the south-east of England will take contactless cards, too.
Watchdog London TravelWatch estimated in 2019 that a whopping 16,000 holidaymakers using the Stansted Express per year were being hit with fines for trying to pay with contactless or Oyster cards.
Passengers risk being fined £100 for using the wrong ticket.
The extension of the pay-as-you-go contactless ticketing option is set to launch next summer
Holidaymakers heading between London and Stansted Airport have been unable to 'tap out' with their debit card or Oyster when they reach the busy hub.
Some 6.7 million passengers a year travel to and from the airport and many have received fines from ticket inspectors waiting for their arrival, it was reported.
Currently, travellers can open ticket barriers at Liverpool Street and Tottenham Hale stations and board a train to the airport by tapping their contactless cards. But when they reach Stansted, they are unable to tap out.
