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TfL extends contactless payment to National Rail services in London

Plans to extend contactless payments in London to those National Rail services that participate in Oyster Pay As You Go (PAYG) later this year have been welcomed by London TravelWatch.

In July, Transport for London (TfL) announced it was going to introduce the new payment method to the Tube, DLR, London Overground and only certain National Rail services. The independent passenger watchdog, however, warned that failure to include National Rail fully in the scheme would be confusing and unfair for passengers. 

Just a few weeks later, TfL and the train operating companies have finalised a new agreement. Contactless fares, also known as ‘wave and pay’, will now be rolled out to Tube, DLR, London Overground and National Rail services in London that participate in Oyster PAYG  on 16 September.

Janet Cooke, London TravelWatch chief executive, said: “We’re really glad that TfL and train operators have worked together to ensure that all passengers who use services which currently accept Oyster PAYG will be able to benefit from this additional way to way.

“It will make it make it easier for visitors to London and people who have forgotten their Oyster cards. It will hopefully also prevent a repeat of the confusion that occurred when Oyster PAYG was first implemented on the transport network in London.”

RTM spoke to TfL, which said it was happy to finally have the agreement signed in a move that will benefit many passengers.

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