UK government to ‘simplify’ rail travel to London Stansted and Southend airports

The UK government is to make it easier for travellers to use rail services from London to Stansted and Southend airports, including Stansted Express trains.

The Department for Transport (DFT) will allow passengers heading to the two airports from London to use contactless cards to tap-in and tap-out, including Oyster travel cards, instead of having to buy a train ticket.

The move will be introduced from 14 December and will mean that the service will be available at all of London’s airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick and London City.

The latest expansion of the “pay as you go” service will cover a total of more than 50 rail stations in south-east England, including Stansted and Southend airports.

UK 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 GBR (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.”

Gareth Powell, Stansted’s managing director, added: “The introduction of contactless travel on the Stansted Express is great news for passengers and will make rail travel between Stansted and London even more simple and convenient.”