Local MP secures contactless payments for Stevenage and Knebworth stations

Railway users will be able to use contactless at Stevenage and North Hertfordshire stations in 2025, it has been confirmed.

Passengers getting on or off at Stevenage, Hitchin, Letchworth and Baldock will be able to tap-in and tap-out from a yet-to-be-confirmed date later this year.

It was previously announced that Knebworth and Welwyn North stations would also be getting contactless payments.

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."

Stevenage MP Kevin Bonavia added: "It is fantastic news that traveling by train in Stevenage will be easier from now on.

"This Labour Government promised to make train tickets simpler and this shows that we were serious. Many of us living in my constituency are frequent rail users – whether for work, for school or to socialise – and so the impact of these measures will be hugely positive.

"I am also working hard to deliver on my promise of better service provision and station accessibility at both of my constituency stations.

"I’ve secured a meeting with the Secretary of State Transport and have other meetings with rail operators, where I’ll be raising a number of matters important to achieving these missions."