05 February 2026 •
Local rail operator c2c Railway has announced that its customers have made three million contactless journeys to and from its Essex stations since first launching in February 2025.
Marking its one-year anniversary, c2c has announced that a combined number of three million contactless journeys have now been made to and from its Essex stations which joined the pay as you go with contactless area in February 2025.
Since launching a year ago as part of the Government’s ‘Project Oval’ initiative, customers have been able to travel across the entire c2c route, into and around London and the wider pay as you go area using a single contactless payment card or device, making c2c the only national rail operator offering a fully contactless network.
Commenting on this milestone, c2c’s Commercial & Business Strategy Director, Eleni Jordan, said:
“Contactless ticketing has been an instant hit with our customers since being launched across our entire route in February last year, and to have recorded over three million taps during our first year is simply incredible.
“This quick and easy to use payment method continues to grow month on month, and over the last six months (August 2025 – January 2026) we have doubled the number of taps achieved during the first six.
“These incredible figures clearly demonstrate that our customers want quick and easy access to straightforward ticketing and payment options, and we will continue to develop and introduce digital solutions which enhance the c2c travel experience for all our customers.”
c2c’s top performing contactless stations (in Essex) over the past year are:
- Basildon (367,000)
- Laindon (334,000)
- Leigh-on-Sea (329,000)
- Benfleet (290,000)
- Southend Central (241,000)
Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, said:
“This milestone is a prime example of how c2c is modernising ticketing to benefit its passengers.
“The publicly-owner operator’s success comes alongside the wider tap-in, tap-out expansion happening across the south-east, ensuring seamless connections between major cities and towns backed by £20 million government funding.
“It’s all part of the Government’s mission for connectivity by rail to support growth, jobs and homes.’’
c2c is one of eight publicly owned rail operators – having moved into public ownership in July 2025 – as the Government puts in place the building blocks for Great British Railways.
Commenting, David Burton-Sampson MP (Southend West & Leigh), said:
“I am delighted to see such a great take up of tap and pay at stations in my constituency, with Leigh-on-Sea taking the top prize.
“Everyone knows it’s so much easier to tap in and out, the sheer convenience is a such a plus and paperless ticketing also benefits the environment. It is great to see this modernisation and that our train line is keeping up with the latest technology.
“I congratulate c2c on their successful roll out of contactless ticketing at our stations. It has certainly proved to be popular.”
Jamie Burles, Managing Director at Anglia Railway, added:
“It is great to see that contactless ticketing has been so well received by c2c customers since being introduced at its Essex stations last February.
“With 20 stations* on the nearby Greater Anglia route set to join the pay as you go area in the Summer, this will mean that even more rail customers across south Essex will soon be able to travel using a contactless payment method.
“This really is great news for rail passengers, making the planning of journeys and travelling with c2c and Greater Anglia quicker 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 (mobile phone or smart watch).
In addition to the c2c network, this ticketing and 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.
ENDS
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.
- c2c is one of the UK’s most punctual and popular train operators and nearly 37.3 million journeys are made on its services every year.
- The operation of all c2c services transferred into public ownership on Sunday 20 July 2025 and is managed by DFTO (DfT Operator Ltd).
- *The 20 Greater Anglia stations being added are Billericay, Beaulieu Park, Bishop’s Stortford, Chelmsford, Harlow Mill, Harlow Town, Hatfield Peverel, Hockley, Ingatestone, Prittlewell, Rayleigh, Rochford, Roydon, Sawbridgeworth, Southend Victoria, Southend Airport, Stansted Airport, Stansted Mountfitchet, Wickford and Witham.
Images
Featured Image – c2c contactless
Second Image – (l-r): Martin Beable (Managing Director, Greater Anglia), Jonathan Denby (Head of Corporate Affairs, Greater Anglia), David Burton-Sampson MP, Phil Leney (Finance Director, c2c), Alice Shimali (Head of Communications, c2c)