The government has outlined its plans to roll-out contactless ticketing at nearly a hundred UK train stations in 2025, including London Stansted Airport, with a start date less than a fortnight away

The Department for Transport (DfT) said on Monday some 47 stations across the South East would be able to use tap-in and tap-out ticketing by February 2.

The plans were meant to be implemented in September but were pushed back after a cyber attack on Transport for London (TfL).

Among the 47 are dozens of key commuter lines, such as Sevenoaks to London Bridge.

The DfT also confirmed a further 49 stations would benefit from the roll-out later in 2025.

Included in the second phase is London Stansted Airport, which has grappled with bad press following a number of cases in which passengers who were confused whether bank cards could be used for trips from Liverpool Street or Tottenham Hale faced fines.

Stansted’s addition means all London airports will become accessible via contactless for the first time ever this year.