Passengers using Luton and Leagrave stations will soon be able to tap-in and tap-out when travelling, after the government confirmed both stops are included in a major expansion of contactless rail ticketing.
The upgrade, arriving on 14 December, is part of a wider scheme covering 50 stations across the south east and is expected to simplify journeys for thousands of local commuters heading into London.
Ministers say the change is designed to cut the hassle of booking paper tickets in advance and to ensure passengers pay the correct fare on the day they travel. It forms part of the ongoing shift towards Great British Railways – which will see Govia Thameslink, the train company that serves Luton brought back into public ownership from May 2026 – and the government’s long promised overhaul of rail fares and ticketing.
Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said the current system is “far too complicated and long overdue an upgrade to bring it into the 21st century”.
He added: “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.”
Alex Williams, Transport for London’s chief customer and strategy officer, welcomed the latest rollout. He said: “For more than 10 years, the popularity of convenient travel via pay-as-you-go with contactless has grown and become increasingly popular across London and the surrounding areas. We are delighted to be extending pay-as-you-go with contactless to a further 50 stations from 14 December.”
Industry leaders argue the shift will benefit both visitors heading into the capital and residents travelling outwards from towns like Luton.
Jacqueline Starr, executive chair and chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, said: “Extending tap-in tap-out to a further 50 stations will mean even more rail customers can benefit from this technology, knowing they will always pay the right fare at the right price.”
The changes at Luton and Leagrave follow a series of digital ticketing trials across other parts of the country, with ministers promising more stations will follow next year as the rail network prepares for its biggest structural overhaul in a generation.
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