Date announced for launch of contactless train travel from Aylesbury stations
The Government has confirmed when contactless train travel will be activated at Aylesbury’s two railway stations.
Today, the Department for Transport confirmed Aylesbury and Aylesbury Vale Parkway railway stations are among 12 of the stations in the region gaining pay as you go travel next month.
From December 14, pay as you go services will be available for the first time at the stations barriers, they will also be available in Princes Risborough, Saunderton, and Stoke Mandeville, and other Chiltern Railways stops.
Previously, the introduction of contactless payment options was criticised by unions who believed it could put transport jobs at risk. An earlier roll out linked to the closure of ticket offices across England was met with strong opposition, especially from disability groups who rely on support from staff.
Nationally, £18.7m has been invested into rolling out the digital advances at UK stations in a bid to make journeys easier for commuters.
The roll out of the technology, first announced back in January, is part of Government plans to make travelling more convenient and flexible.
In total, 50 stations are set to gain full access to digital ticketing on December 14, 12 of them are located in Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
Rail minister 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 Great British Railways, we’re doing just that and making buying tickets more convenient, more accessible and more flexible - and ensuring passengers can get the best fares.
“As part of our Plan for Change, we’re delivering straightforward, stress-free train travel across the south-east, supporting passengers and boosting economic growth, jobs and homes.”
Tap-in tap-out ticketing allows passengers to use a bank card or contactless enabled device to enter any train station, instead of manually buying individual or return tickets. Other stations closer to London on Aylesbury’s Chiltern Railways route have had access to digital ticketing activated in recent years.
Michael Stewart, customer and commercial strategy director at Chiltern Railways, said: "Expanding pay as you go to a further nine stations on the Chiltern network is a huge boost for our customers. Contactless ticketing is quick, easy and enables a more seamless way of paying for journeys."