Greater Anglia delays Pay As You Go contactless rollout to twenty UK stations, including Stansted Airport, now expected summer 2026

Published on December 4, 2025

Greater Anglia has confirmed that the planned extension of pay-as-you-go contactless ticketing to an additional twenty stations across its network, which was initially announced last month, has now been postponed. Passengers will have to wait until summer 2026 for the full rollout of the service, which includes key destinations such as Stansted Airport. The delay follows the discovery of issues during detailed testing that could have impacted journeys and fare calculations for Greater Anglia services.

The announcement highlights the company’s commitment to ensuring that the pay-as-you-go contactless system is fully integrated with Transport for London’s fare system. This integration is essential to provide a reliable and seamless experience for passengers, ensuring that the technology works as intended from the first day of launch.

Issues Identified During Testing

During extensive system testing, Greater Anglia identified potential issues that could have disrupted the functioning of pay-as-you-go contactless ticketing. These issues would have affected both the accuracy of fares and the reliability of the technology on journeys across the Greater Anglia network. The company determined that additional work was required to address these concerns and to ensure that the service operates smoothly when it becomes available to passengers.

By taking the extra time to correct these issues, Greater Anglia aims to deliver a system that is not only efficient but also trustworthy. This decision underscores the importance of a robust and well-integrated fare system, particularly when it comes to providing passengers with flexible and convenient travel options.

Revised Rollout Timeline

The new contactless pay-as-you-go service is now scheduled to be extended to the twenty additional Greater Anglia stations in summer 2026. This revised timeline allows the company to complete the necessary work to ensure full integration with Transport for London’s fare system and to guarantee that the system functions reliably from day one.

The stations included in this extension will provide passengers with faster, easier, and more flexible travel options across the Greater Anglia network. The inclusion of major destinations such as Stansted Airport is expected to improve accessibility and convenience for both domestic and international travellers using the railway network.

Fare Changes Still on Schedule

While the extension of contactless ticketing has been postponed, the new fares supporting the introduction of the service will still be implemented from 7 December 2025 as originally planned. This ensures that passengers can continue to benefit from updated pricing structures while Greater Anglia finalises the integration work necessary for the delayed contactless rollout.

The implementation of new fares and the eventual extension of contactless travel are designed to create a more flexible and passenger-friendly experience. This approach reflects Greater Anglia’s ongoing commitment to modernising ticketing systems and improving customer convenience.

Company Statement on the Delay

Martin Beable, Managing Director of Greater Anglia, acknowledged that the delay may cause frustration among some passengers but emphasised the importance of a reliable system. He confirmed that teams are actively working with partners to complete the integration work as quickly as possible, and reiterated the company’s commitment to launching the service at the additional stations in summer 2026.

The company expressed apologies for any inconvenience caused and thanked passengers for their patience during this period. By taking the necessary time to ensure proper functionality, Greater Anglia aims to deliver a contactless pay-as-you-go system that meets passenger expectations and operates seamlessly from the first day of availability.

Benefits of Contactless PAYG Travel

When the extension is eventually implemented, passengers will benefit from quicker boarding, streamlined travel, and greater flexibility when using the Greater Anglia network. Contactless pay-as-you-go ticketing allows travellers to use bank cards or compatible devices to pay for journeys without needing paper tickets, creating a more efficient and convenient travel experience.

The system is designed to integrate fully with Transport for London’s fare network, enabling smooth travel across London travel zones and Greater Anglia destinations. Passengers will enjoy a simplified journey experience, reduced queuing times, and improved access to stations and services.

Passenger Experience and Expectations

Passengers who regularly travel to airports such as Stansted and Southend, as well as those using regional stations across the network, will see significant improvements in their travel experience once the contactless system is operational. The delay ensures that when the service is launched, it operates reliably and without technical issues, enhancing trust in the Greater Anglia network.

Greater Anglia continues to monitor passenger needs closely and is dedicated to providing updates as work progresses. Communications will be maintained to keep travellers informed about the revised launch date and any further developments affecting the rollout.

Looking Ahead

The postponement of pay-as-you-go contactless ticketing to twenty additional Greater Anglia stations is a temporary setback in the broader strategy to modernise ticketing across the network. By addressing integration issues thoroughly, the company is prioritising a seamless and dependable system for passengers.

Summer 2026 is now set as the new launch period for the expanded service. Once implemented, it is expected to enhance accessibility, improve passenger convenience, and streamline travel across Greater Anglia stations, including key destinations such as Stansted Airport. The update represents a significant step forward in providing modern, flexible, and customer-friendly travel solutions across the network.