Project Oval: TfL win DfT contract to expand contactless system to 233 rail stations by May 2024, Railcards coming to contactless payment cards

[JonathanH]

All Oval routes will need to be single fare priced.

Yes, the question is about when, not if.

If it hasn't been done already

It hasn't, other than on the routes covered by the Phase 1 expansion.

they are going to have different pricing between paper and contactless which would just be confusing.

The current situation on pre-Oval Contactless routes, which obviously can't be a long term solution but has existed for nearly as long as ten years in some instances.

 

[Pumbaa]

Is there any indication as to whether the single leg pricing that was implemented in December 2023 has proved revenue positive, neutral or negative, and in turn whether that pricing will be extended to the other Oval routes in the near term, even if Contactless implementation will take longer?

It has been negative, and substantially so. There will be a recovery fare increase for next few FSR to return the business case to net neutral.

Key lesson learnt for industry is that there must be the convenience factor that drives volume to compensate for lower yields at same time. We all said it back in 2023 and politics ignored it, whether that may be for good reason or not.

Not seen it mentioned, launch is now 2nd Feb this year.

 

[Bletchleyite]

It has been negative, and substantially so.

This doesn't surprise me, it's saving me a fortune, particularly when making a journey involving going away for more than one day.

 

[Starmill]

That was definitely the case for 2024. Almost certainly for 2021, 2022 and 2023 as well given the late announcement of the annual fare increase, which also meant new NR fares weren't shown in retail systems until the day they came into force.

Is this year's going to be available in advance again, or is that still to be announced?

 

[Richardr]

Yes, the question is about when, not if.

It hasn't, other than on the routes covered by the Phase 1 expansion.

The current situation on pre-Oval Contactless routes, which obviously can't be a long term solution but has existed for nearly as long as ten years in some instances.

Given as you say it has lasted about a decade on some routes, why can't it continue?

 

[CyrusWuff]

Is this year's going to be available in advance again, or is that still to be announced?

With the increase having been announced as part of the budget at the end of October last year, rather than in late November or December as it has been the past few years, I suspect we'll see a return to the four week advance sale period.

Assuming that's the case, new fares should be shown from 2nd February for travel on or after 2nd March. Whether TfL will have picked up the new fares in time so they're not selling tickets at 2024 prices until May/June remains to be seen, however.

 

[Starmill]

With the increase having been announced as part of the budget at the end of October last year, rather than in late November or December as it has been the past few years, I suspect we'll see a return to the four week advance sale period.

Assuming that's the case, new fares should be shown from 2nd February for travel on or after 2nd March. Whether TfL will have picked up the new fares in time so they're not selling tickets at 2024 prices until May/June remains to be seen, however.

Thank you. Won't be long to find out I suppose!

 

[Kite159]

2nd Feb seems to be the date being posted for the rollout to Windsor/Shepperton on SWR.

 

[DynamicSpirit]

This doesn't surprise me, it's saving me a fortune, particularly when making a journey involving going away for more than one day.

I suspect the issue is that the lower single fares ought to get somewhat balanced out in revenue terms by the lower fares attracting more passengers. But that's probably not happened because (a) there has been virtually no publicity about fares being lower - which means people who would have travelled anyway are paying the lower single fares, but new people who ought to be getting tempted by the low fares to travel by rail simply don't know about them, and (b) lack of contactless means we don't yet have the additional convenience that should go with the lower fares.

I mean, I travelled to Staines a couple of weeks ago. First I knew that the single fare was lower was when I started buying my ticket. If I'd known before then, I might have done some additional journeys.

 

[JonathanH]

I suspect the issue is that the lower single fares ought to get somewhat balanced out in revenue terms by the lower fares attracting more passengers.

They should also be balanced by higher fares for off-peak passengers making more expensive journeys in the evening peak. However, there must be some changes in behaviour of people who can wait until 7pm as well.

 

[CyrusWuff]

I suspect there may also be an uptick in sales of 'out-boundary' Off-Peak Day Travelcards on relevant routes, as they shouldn't have a PM peak restriction leaving London.

 

[778]

I suspect there may also be an uptick in sales of 'out-boundary' Off-Peak Day Travelcards on relevant routes, as they shouldn't have a PM peak restriction leaving London.

I expect they will bring in a PM restriction for them at some point.

I really hope the PM peak restrictions does not get extended to weekends. Probably unlikely but you never know.

 

[Starmill]

I expect they will bring in a PM restriction for them at some point.

I really hope the PM peak restrictions does not get extended to weekends. Probably unlikely but you never know.

At present I think politically it would be too difficult for the Mayor of London to implement any general restrictions on bank holidays or weekends. However that doesn't of course exclude special cases, as happened to Heathrow Airport.

 

[weeklycommuter]

Not seen it mentioned, launch is now 2nd March this year.

2nd Feb seems to be the date being posted for the rollout to Windsor/Shepperton on SWR.

I have not seen any information about a date for the delayed implementation of contactless payments for any of the 47 stations. If there is any information it is being kept very secret.

 

[Pumbaa]

I have not seen any information about a date for the delayed implementation of contactless payments at any of the 47 stations. If there is any information it is being kept very secret.

I have corrected my post - right day, wrong month written half asleep it seems! 2nd Feb is the correct launch date.

I think based on recent TfL experience it’ll be a quiet launch with full PR and comms coming after.

 

[Joe Paxton]

I have not seen any information about a date for the delayed implementation of contactless payments for any of the 47 stations. If there is any information it is being kept very secret.

I think the internal brief about this only went out yesterday. (Saturday seems an odd day dto send it out, but maybe the launch date only got confirmed on Friday at the end of the working week?)

I'd expect publicity to ramp up - though arguably it might be better to launch first, then publicise, so as to avoid any confusion (i.e. people trying to use contactless too early).

 

[traji00]

…so as to avoid any confusion (i.e. people trying to use contactless too early).

In my experience, as soon as the Cubic card readers were installed at our stations on the Windsor/Shepperton branches, people were trying to use them almost immediately.

 

[Haywain]

In my experience, as soon as the Cubic card readers were installed at our stations on the Windsor/Shepperton branches, people were trying to use them almost immediately.

Can't they be used for SWR's Tap2Go?

 

[Goldfish62]

Can't they be used for SWR's Tap2Go?

You would hope so, otherwise users would be left without anywhere to tap in or out!

 

[CyrusWuff]

Can't they be used for SWR's Tap2Go?

Assuming they were left active after installation, then yes. They use standard Cubic card readers with Contactless, Oyster and Smartcard functionality. Though obviously the Oyster functionality is disabled at stations outside the Oyster area.

 

[Haywain]

You would hope so, otherwise users would be left without anywhere to tap in or out!

So there's a clear reason why people will be using them.

 

[Bletchleyite]

At present I think politically it would be too difficult for the Mayor of London to implement any general restrictions on bank holidays or weekends. However that doesn't of course exclude special cases, as happened to Heathrow Airport.

WMT's old fare structure did have evening peak restrictions on the Super Off Peak Day Travelcard for journeys outside the Zones, so it is possible. They've chosen not to here for simplicity I think, because it's fairly hard to enforce when most of your revenue protection is done using gatelines rather than on board checks.

Anything within the Zones would be a matter for TfL to decide.

 

[Vexed]

Gov.uk press release confirming the 47 new stations getting contactless on the 2nd Feb.

Also 4 new stations added to the later stages of the roll out which is dated later this year (Baldock, Hitchin, Letchworth GC, Stevenage)

Simpler train travel for the South East as contactless ticketing rolls out at 47 more stations

New tap in tap out system will guarantee passengers get the best fare available at the time on the day.

www.gov.uk

In 2 weeks’ time, passengers across the South East will be able to use tap-in and tap-out ticketing at 47 more stations for the first time, guaranteeing they get the best value ticket available on the day.

The new ticketing, which will be rolled out at these stations from 2 February 2025, will turn dozens of key commuter lines such as Sevenoaks to London Bridge into fully contactless journeys making train travel simpler, more accessible and more flexible.

Building on our core principle to always put passenger experience at the heart of our railways, everyone using tap-in tap-out will be guaranteed the best value ticket available on the day saving both time and money on every journey taken, helping to improve living standards and making working people better off – delivering on our Plan for Change.

Contactless ticketing will be rolled out at a further 49 stations throughout 2025, including London Stansted Airport – meaning all London airports will be accessible by tap-in tap-out ticketing for the first time ever – ensuring seamless connections from train to plane across our capital. This will include 4 stations in the South East being announced for the first time today (20 January 2025):

Baldock
Hitchin
Letchworth Garden City
Stevenage

Modernising our transport system, delivering better value fares and improving passenger experiences to drive more passengers back to the railway is at the heart of the government’s mission to deliver growth and make working people better off.

Untangling the complex web of ticketing is just one of the ways in which the government is fulfilling its commitment to modernise Britain’s transport system and it comes as part of the government’s plan to deliver the biggest overhaul of our rail network in a generation, putting passengers at the heart of every journey and encouraging more people to choose rail.

Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, said:

"The ticketing system is far too complicated, so we’re taking the stress out of navigating the labyrinth of fares and replacing it with new technology so passengers can simply tap-in tap-out, while being guaranteed the best fare available at the time on the day.

"This hassle-free technology will simplify thousands of journeys every day for passengers across the South East, and it’s something we will roll out to other cities as soon as we can, unlocking growth across the country as part of our Plan for Change.

"We are delivering the biggest overhaul of our rail network in a generation, putting passengers at the heart of every journey and encouraging more people to choose rail."

These rail routes provide vital connections across the South East, delivering key links to the city, the seaside and the countryside whether it’s for work, education or connecting with friends and family.

The department is working closely with Greater Manchester and the West Midlands to develop their proposals for rolling out contactless ticketing even further.

Jacqueline Starr, Chief Executive of Rail Delivery Group, said:

"We want our customers to travel with ease with fares that reflect travellers’ needs post-pandemic. We’re delighted that pay as you go technology is being expanded to 47 stations which will provide convenience, simplicity and flexibility, making it easier than ever for customers to pay and travel seamlessly.

"We are committed to developing a simpler and better-value fare system that not only meets our customers’ expectations but also supports the long-term growth of rail travel and enhances the overall customer experience."

Tap-in tap-out technology launched at 6 Chiltern stations last summer as the first stations to benefit as part of this rollout, including High Wycombe, Beaconsfield and Denham Golf Club.

In the first 6 months of contactless ticketing being available at those 6 stations, more than 268,000 entries and exits were made using contactless cards or mobile devices – showing how popular the system is with customers using those stations already.

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

"The popularity of convenient travel via pay as you go with contactless has seen it grow and become increasingly popular across London and the surrounding areas in the ten years since it launched in London. We are delighted to be extending pay as you go with contactless to a further 47 stations on the 2 February.

"This 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.

"Great British Railways will bring track and train together under one directing mind with a relentless focus on improving services for passengers and customers, modernising the network through expanding technologies such as contactless ticketing."

47 stations getting contactless ticketing on 2 February

Apsley
Park Street
Ashford
Pitsea
Basildon
Sevenoaks
Bat & Ball
Shepperton
Benfleet
Shoeburyness
Berkhamsted
Shoreham
Bletchley
Southend Cental
Bricket Wood
Southend East
Chalkwell
St. Albans Abbey
Cheddington
Staines
Datchet
Stanford-le-Hope
Dunton Green
Sunbury
East Tilbury
Sunnymeads
Egham
Thorpe Bay
Eynsford
Tilbury Town
Garston
Tring
Hemel Hempstead
Upper Halliford
How Wood
Virginia Water
Kempton Park
Watford North
King’s Langley
West Horndon
Laindon
Westcliff
Leigh-on-Sea
Windsor & Eton Riverside
Leighton Buzzard
Wraysbury
Otford

Further 49 stations getting contactless ticketing in 2025

Ashtead
Aylesbury
Aylesbury Vale Parkway
Baldock (new)
Box Hill and Westhumble
Billericay
Bishop’s Stortford
Chelmsford
Dorking (Main)
Dormans
East Grinstead
Great Missenden
Harlington
Harlow Mill
Harlow Town
Hatfield Peverel
Hitchin (new)
Hockley
Hurst Green
Ingatestone
Knebworth
Leagrave
Leatherhead
Letchworth Garden City (new)
Lingfield
Little Kimble
Luton
Monks Risborough
Oxted
Princes Risborough
Prittlewell
Rayleigh
Reigate
Rochford
Roydon
Sawbridgeworth
Saunderton
Southend Airport
Southend Victoria
Stansted Airport
Stansted Mountfitchet
Stevenage (new)
Stoke Mandeville
Watton-at-Stone
Welwyn North
Wendover
Wickford
Witham
Woldingham

 

[fandroid]

Gov.uk press release confirming the 47 new stations getting contactless on the 2nd Feb.

Also 4 new stations added to the later stages of the roll out which is dated later this year (Baldock, Hitchin, Letchworth GC, Stevenage)

Simpler train travel for the South East as contactless ticketing rolls out at 47 more stations

New tap in tap out system will guarantee passengers get the best fare available at the time on the day.

www.gov.uk

That release also confirms the extension to Stansted Airport in 2025

 

[Adam Williams]

Also 4 new stations added to the later stages of the roll out which is dated later this year (Baldock, Hitchin, Letchworth GC, Stevenage)

"new stations"? Wasn't e.g. Stevenage always planned?

passengers can simply tap-in tap-out, while being guaranteed the best fare available at the time on the day

I think Hendy has forgotten quite a few of the caveats that apply to this price promise, and really should've been communicated in the press release.

 

[Edvid]

"new stations"? Wasn't e.g. Stevenage always planned?

Yes and no - part of Phase 2 overall, but not among the 45 stations announced last year. Phase 2A (?) has increased from 45 to 49 stations.

 

[Adam Williams]

Yes and no - part of Phase 2 overall, but not among the 45 stations announced last year. Phase 2A (?) has increased from 45 to 49 stations.

So they de-scoped it from the stations that were committed to be delivered back in what was originally slated for 2022, and now it's back and therefore "new"?

 

[Haywain]

Wasn't e.g. Stevenage always planned?

Stevenage was always planned - I was on conference calls about Project Oval in the early stages purely because Stevenage was included. I guess the suggestion is that it's been brought forward to whichever new phase comes next.

 

[CyrusWuff]

So they de-scoped it from the stations that were committed to be delivered back in what was originally slated for 2022, and now it's back and therefore "new"?

It looks like Phase 2 has been split into at least two parts, as with Phase 1. I'd suggest that Baldock, Hitchin, Letchworth and Stevenage moving (back) to Phase 2a may be linked to the delays caused by the TfL cyberattack.

 

[Haywain]

So they de-scoped it from the stations that were committed to be delivered back in what was originally slated for 2022, and now it's back and therefore "new"?

I think it was always in phase two, but there now seems to be something between phase one and the original phase two. I'm afraid I can't be bothered to try and figure out what was originally planned and how it all fits in now!