27 August 2024 •
[Tuesday 27 August] c2c has today announced that from next month customers will be able to pay for their journeys right across the c2c route, into London and the wider pay as you go area, by presenting a contactless payment card or device at their departure and arrival stations.
c2c is delighted to announce that customers will be able to turn up, touch in, and go with a valid contactless payment card or device at all of its 26 stations from Sunday 22 September.
As announced by the Department for Transport (DfT), c2c is one of four train operators introducing this new ticket and payment option – at a combined total of 47 National Rail stations – as part of the Government’s initiative to extend ‘pay as you go with contactless’ to rail customers across the South East.
Pay as you go with contactless is already accepted at c2c stations that sit within London Zones 1-6, while also being in place at Purfleet, Chafford Hundred, Grays and Ockendon. With the 15* remaining c2c stations being added on Sunday 22 September, this will mean that the whole route will accept pay as you go with contactless – the only National Rail train operator in the country to offer this payment option across its entire network.
Welcoming the announcement, Rob Mullen, Managing Director at c2c, said: “Following months of rigorous behind-the-scenes technical and operational testing, I am delighted that work to introduce pay as you go with contactless has now been completed and will launch across our entire network next month.
“We know that our customers want a wide range of accessible ticketing and payment options and pay as you go with contactless offers a fast and flexible way for them to access c2c services, and also those within the London Travelcard and wider pay as you go area, while removing the need to book travel in advance or spend time queuing at ticket machines.”
Rob added: “At c2c we remain fully committed to providing a safe and accessible railway for all, and I firmly believe that the introduction of pay as you go with contactless – giving customers greater choice, flexibility and simple and easy to understand ticketing and payment options – will make travelling with c2c quicker, more convenient and easier than ever before.”
Pay as you go with contactless is available during both the peak and off-peak to all customers in possession of a valid contactless payment card or device (for example, mobile phone or smart watch). In addition to the c2c network, this payment method can be used across London and the wider pay as you go with contactless area, with the best value adult fare calculated and charged for journeys made on the day and time of travel. For most people, this fare is the same as a ticket bought on the day. Customers can also benefit from Monday to Sunday price capping when travelling into and within London.
For full terms and conditions, please go to c2c-online.co.uk/tickets-and-fares/digital-tickets/contactless/ or nationalrail.co.uk/contactless
Customers are advised that c2c will be sharing further information ahead of the formal launch of pay as you go with contactless over the coming weeks, so do keep an eye on our website and social channels, and also your inboxes if you are registered to receive service and marketing updates.
*From Sunday 22 September, pay as you go with contactless will also be accepted at the following stations: Tilbury Town, East Tilbury, Stanford-le-Hope, West Horndon, Laindon, Basildon, Pitsea, Benfleet, Leigh-on-Sea, Chalkwell, Westcliff, Southend Central, Southend East, Thorpe Bay and Shoeburyness.
Notes to editors
- c2c is the award-winning train operator running services between Fenchurch Street and Shoeburyness, serving 26 stations in East London and South Essex.
- Owned by Trenitalia, c2c is one of the UK’s most punctual and popular train operators and nearly 35.8 million journeys are made on its services every year.
- Italian-based Trenitalia is one of Europe’s leading rail operators and the passenger rail arm of FS Italiane Group.
- For more information email mediaenquiries@c2crail.net