The rollout of contactless payment systems across parts of England's railway network has triggered steep fare increases for some passengers, leading to warnings that travellers are being 'priced out' of using trains altogether.
Peak Time Changes Drive Cost Hikes
The controversy stems from the expansion of the Department for Transport's Project Oval, which saw contactless pay-as-you-go ticketing introduced at 30 more stations in south-east England on 14 December 2025. To integrate with the Transport for London (TfL) system, paper ticket time restrictions have been aligned with TfL's contactless structure.
This alignment means many services that previously accepted cheaper off-peak tickets now require a more expensive peak ticket. For example, the first weekday London-bound Southern service from Reigate, Surrey, that can be boarded with an off-peak day travelcard now departs at 9.28am instead of 8.58am. Remarkably, passengers boarding the same 8.58am service just five minutes later at Redhill station can still use an off-peak ticket.
New restrictions also apply between 4pm and 7pm, further narrowing the window for affordable travel. A full-day anytime travelcard from the affected stations costs £37.10, compared to the off-peak version at £20.60.
Passenger Backlash and Political Pressure
Rebecca Paul, the Conservative MP for Reigate, stated she has been contacted by numerous frustrated constituents. "This change should make rail travel easier, not more expensive or confusing," she said. "Many people rely on off-peak travel to keep costs down and quietly narrowing the definition of what counts as off-peak risks pricing passengers out of rail altogether."
She has pledged to continue pressing train operator Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) and the DfT to ensure the contactless introduction does not force passengers to pay more for the same journeys. The rollout has also led to the removal of the cheapest super off-peak tickets from some stations.
Steve Trigg, an organiser for the Reigate, Redhill and District Rail Users’ Association (RRDRUA), highlighted the impact on families, noting some face an 85 per cent cost increase to return from London at peak times, forcing them to alter schedules. One association member described the situation as "ridiculous" and said he would cycle to Redhill station to save money.
The Contactless 'Sting in the Tail'
Analysis by the lobby group Railfuture reveals further issues. Passengers using contactless can be charged up to twice as much as those using paper tickets for identical journeys, because discounts for railcards or children cannot be applied to contactless payments.
For instance, a family of two adults and two children travelling from Luton to central London at a weekend would pay £84 using contactless, but just £41.70 with paper tickets and a Groupsave discount. A commuter from East Grinstead, West Sussex, travelling at peak times could save £3.60 daily by using a paper ticket with a Network Railcard.
Neil Middleton, Railfuture vice chair, commented: "Offering the option for contactless payment for rail travel is a good thing – convenient and simple. But it currently comes with a number of stings in the tail." The group advises passengers to check their train operator's website and TfL's single fare finder to identify the cheapest payment method.
Operator and Government Defence
A GTR spokesperson defended the changes, stating contactless makes planning and paying "quicker and easier" and that earlier phases were "hugely popular." They explained that aligning with TfL's system was necessary, acknowledging fares would rise for some but fall for others.
GTR provided examples of savings, including a Reigate passenger making a single off-peak journey now paying £7.60 instead of £14.60, and a commuter travelling before 6.30am and returning outside peak hours saving £11.60 on a £26.80 fare. The company insisted the changes were not designed to increase overall ticket revenue.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "Contactless ticketing means passengers are benefiting from simpler, more flexible travel and the majority of single tickets will be the same price or even lower." They added the move aligns with London's 'best price promise'. Rail minister Lord Hendy stated at the time of expansion that it would ensure "passengers can get the best fares."
