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Tap-in, tap-out payments are a normal part of everyday London travel these days, and it’s easy to just assume that all stations in and around the city have contactless machines. But that assumption has cost plenty of people travelling to Stansted Airport a pretty penny.
Thousands of travellers have faced fines after travelling on the Stansted Express unaware that there is no contactless payment at the end of their journey, despite being able to tap in at Liverpool Street and Tottenham Hale station. In 2019, watchdog London TravelWatch estimated that 16,000 travellers per year were being fined up to £100 for not buying their ticket in advance. But that won’t be the case for much longer.
Stansted and Southend airports are following in the footsteps of all the other London airports and finally introducing contactless payments. The new tap-in tap-out tech at the airports is part of a wider rollout of contactless payment across 50 rail stations in the south east of England.
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.’
Stansted
Passengers on the Stansted Express will be able to conveniently tap out at the airport from December 14, just like at Heathrow, Gatwick or Luton. The journey will still cost the same as a ticket bought on the day – around £21.90. However, it’s not the cheapest option.
There are a few caveats, though. Firstly, the contactless payments won’t work with Oyster cards, as the Oyster technology is too old. Secondly, the tap-in, tap-out system at Stansted only applies to journeys from London, not Cambridge. And while it’s convenient, it’s not necessarily the cheapest option. If you book well in advance, you can get a Stansted Express ticket from just £9.90 and, if you have a railcard discount or concession rates, it will still be cheaper for you to buy a ticket.
Southend
Travellers will also be able to catch Greater Anglia trains from London Liverpool Street or Stratford to Southend Airport with just their contactless card from December 14. Just as if you were buying a ticket, the journey will cost around £19-£22, but if you have a railcard discount or concession rates, you’re still better off buying a ticket ahead of your journey.
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