Greater Anglia Announces New Contactless Pay-As-You-Go 💳 at 20 More Stations, Including Stansted and Southend Airport ✈️🚅

Update - 9 March 2026: It is now officially live!

This is a quick news update to announce that Greater Anglia will extend contactless pay-as-you-go ticketing from 8 March 2026. The launch was originally expected in December 2025, but was delayed due to technical issues.

Travellers will soon be able to use contactless bank cards to travel to and from Stansted or Southend Airport without needing a paper or mobile ticket.

Let’s hope it is not delayed again! 🤞

Plane ✈️ vs. Train 🚄: A Detailed Comparison of Domestic Travel Across Great Britain

For journeys within Great Britain, the choice between air and rail travel is rarely as simple as looking at a flight time. While a domestic flight might promise a rapid one-hour transit, a closer look at the entire door-to-door experience often reveals that the seemingly slower train can be more competitive in terms of total time, cost, and stress.

From the "hidden" inconveniences of airport security to the city-centre ease of the railway, this article explores the friction points and benefits of how we move across the country in 2026.

Transport for London Awards First Group Contract to Operate Overground Services

Transport for London (TfL) has announced that FirstGroup has won the concession to operate London Overground services, which form part of the United Kingdom’s National Rail network.

(Unofficial text)

Rail for London Limited intends to enter into new contracts for the following service with the operator listed below:

UK Treasury Announces First Rail Fare Freeze in 30 Years

What a coincidence! Just yesterday, I posted an article suggesting that rail fare consultation should be sought to give the general public input on options, and also shared my thoughts on reforming the fare and ticketing system to make it simpler.

From: HM Treasury Press Release:

Transport for London Reveals Update on the Proposed West London Orbital Railway Line

© TfL

In a recent Freedom of Information response, Transport for London (TfL) revealed an update on the proposed West London Orbital railway. This planned passenger rail line in England will use existing tracks to connect Hounslow in the west with Hendon and West Hampstead in the north. Its aim is to improve links across west and northwest London, support new homes and jobs, and reduce road congestion, mainly by restoring passenger services and adding new stations along the route.

Request ID: FOI-2015-2526
Date published: 08 September 2025

UK Public Transport Infrastructure: A Global Comparison of Efficiency and Delivery

Public transport infrastructure is a vital component of urban and intercity mobility, facilitating economic growth and environmental sustainability worldwide. The development processes for such infrastructure—including trams, Underground/Metro networks, and high-speed rail—vary considerably between countries and regions in terms of planning laws, financial arrangements, consultation practices, and project delivery timelines. This article presents a detailed comparative overview of these aspects in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the European Union, the United States, Canada, China, Japan, Brazil, and the United Arab Emirates.

FOI Insights on London Underground Train Cancellations and Station Closures Due to Staff Shortages and the Status of CSA Recruitment

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request to Transport for London (TfL) has revealed the frequency and duration of closures at London Underground stations.

Request ID: FOI-3172-2425
Date published: 30 January 2025

Advocating for Tube and Railway Drivers: The Importance of Filming POV Videos on the London Underground and Railway Services to Promote Public Transport Travel

Screenshot of the Elizabeth line Driver's Eye Video on YouTube

This is in support of London Underground Tube drivers (and train drivers) who wish to film their experiences driving an Underground or railway train during their duties, as this is one method of promoting public transport usage to tackle climate change issues.

The London Underground, known affectionately as "the Tube," is the world’s oldest rapid transit system, having first opened its doors to passengers in 1863. This iconic transport network has played a crucial role in shaping the city of London and its surrounding areas, facilitating the movement of millions of commuters each day. With its rich history and extensive network, the Tube remains a vital component of London’s transport infrastructure.

Overview of Rail Passenger Compensation in the UK (2020-2024)

• Significant increase in rail passenger compensation payouts from 2020 to 2024, rising from £6.4 million to over £138.6 million.
• Growth driven by a rise in passenger journeys and heightened awareness of compensation rights.
• Implementation of Delay Repay schemes, with compensation available for delays of 15 minutes or more.
• Fluctuations in rail performance and adverse weather events led to higher compensation claims.
• Traditional charter compensation remains important for delays exceeding 60 minutes.

The Department for Transport has released data revealing how much compensation train operating companies (TOCs) in the UK have paid to passengers since 2016. This compensation, guided by each company's Passenger’s Charter, includes various schemes: delay repay compensation, traditional charter compensation, and discretionary payments. In this article, we'll take a closer look at compensation trends from 2020 to 2024, focusing on noteworthy changes and the factors at play.

List of London Underground, Overground, Elizabeth line and Docklands Light Railway Stations With Short Platforms and Selective Door Opening

A Freedom of Information request to Transport for London (TfL) has revealed a list of stations on the TfL network with short platforms and selective door opening (SDO).

Request ID: FOI-1716-2425
Date published: 20 September 2024

Suggestion: Improvements To Wheelchair Accessibility At Railway Stations Should Include Allowing Other Staff To Use The Wheelchair Ramps

Poster by Hong Kong PHAB Association

Firstly, I'm not a wheelchair user, and I have no experience travelling on public transport using a wheelchair.

I've been seeing stories of wheelchair users getting trapped in the train after arriving at the station due to the absence of platform staff, which caused them delays and distress in their journeys.

TfL Orders 10 More New Class 345 Trains For The Elizabeth Line With Alstom To Increase Capacity

Elizabeth line fleet at Old Oak Common depot during the day - Photo by Alstom

Alstom has signed a £370 million contract with Transport for London (TfL) to supply 10 nine-car Aventra trains for the Elizabeth line, helping to continue jobs and the supply chain in manufacturing.

Text from Alstom Press release

Contract worth around €430 million for 10 nine-car Aventra trains and maintenance until 2046

Why I Believe Transport Enthusiasts Are The Biggest Promoters Of Public Transport?

Last updated 23rd November 2025

The presence of transport enthusiasts at the New Routemaster launch day on February 27th 2012.
Photo by TfL Press

I've been reading some reports by enthusiasts on social media that they are not allowed to take photos or videos inside train stations or even in public areas outside of railway property as they take photos or videos of buses and trams.

I’m not saying anything negative about the transport staff and their management; the whole purpose of this article is to educate on the encouragement and importance of transport enthusiasts, which includes bus spotting and railfan/train spotting.

The One Day Travelcard Is Saved!

I know this news is slightly overdue, but I would like to specifically mention on my website that the One Day Travelcard is saved as Transport for London (TfL) and the Rail Delivery Group, which represents the train operating companies, agreed to retain the One Day Travelcard.

Rail Delivery Group:

Rail Delivery Group, Department for Transport and Transport for London reach agreement to save Day Travelcards for train passengers

Train companies, represented by Rail Delivery Group (RDG) and Transport for London (TfL) have reached an agreement which means Day Travelcards can continue to be bought by customers as part of their train tickets to London.  

Suggestion: I Believe It’s Time for a New Regional Transport Body for the South East of England?

I've had this idea in my head for the past few years, and I’ve been saying it on Twitter for the past several months.

I would like to suggest that it’s time for a new transport authority for the South East of England (including Greater London and the Home Counties) to subsume TfL (including all their responsibilities listed below), various transport responsibilities by the local authorities (London Borough, Local, County Councils etc.), certain sub-national transport bodies (i.e. England’s Economic Heartland, Transport East & Transport for the South East), and the railway services of the former Network SouthEast.

UK Government to End Railway Franchising – Unique Identities For London Overground Services

It’s been a while since I’ve posted something railway related on my website. This recent news regarding railways in Britain is huge because the UK Government have drafted plans to end railway franchising and to simplify ticketing, although the operations will remain privatised.

Excerpt from Department for Transport

• Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail to reform Britain’s railways and launch a new era for passengers
• biggest change in 25 years sees creation of new public body Great British Railways – a single, familiar brand with united, accountable leadership
• simpler, modern fares delivered, starting with new flexible season tickets on sale from 21 June and a new Great British Railways website for all tickets and clearer compensation
• reforms support delivery of a financially sustainable railway as country recovers from coronavirus (COVID-19), with new contracts focused on punctuality and improved efficiency, making it easier and cheaper to plan maintenance, renewal and upgrades

New technology upgrades for Britain’s railway network

The Department of Transport have announced new signalling upgrades to Britain’s railway system to improve services and reduce disruptions.

From Department for Transport

Trains will become faster, more frequent, more punctual and safer through the introduction of new digital technology on the rail network.

Network Rail infrastructure renewals during May Bank Holidays

As we are in May, Network Rail will be renewing signals and railway infrastructure during the May Bank Holidays.

From Network Rail

When track is ‘life-expired’ and maintenance is too expensive or ineffective, we come up with solutions to refurbish or renew it. These major projects are part of our Railway Upgrade Plan, and we carry them out at weekends or over bank holidays to minimise disruption.

Heathrow Express to continue service till 2028

Heathrow Express will continue to operate the express service from Heathrow Airport to London Paddington until 2028.

From Heathrow Express

Heathrow Express rail service has been preserved to at least 2028 under a new agreement announced today.

· New agreement confirms Heathrow Express for at least a decade

· Will improve rail service connections, resilience and reliability for Heathrow passengers

· Rail services to Heathrow to rise from 18 trains per hour to at least 22 trains per hour from December 2019

· Confirms Government support for developing western and southern rail links to Heathrow

DfT announces the new independent appeals for passengers issued with a penalty fare

The Department for Transport announces new rules for penalty fares on the British railway system.

From Department for Transport

New rules coming into force today (6 April 2018) will offer a greater level of protection for rail passengers issued with a penalty fare, where they make an honest mistake, Rail Minister Jo Johnson has announced.

Fare dodgers will continue to receive tough penalties, but those with a genuine reason for not having a valid ticket will now be able to challenge a penalty with an independent committee, not connected to the rail companies. Once an appeal is received, the clock will stop on the 21 day deadline for the payment of a penalty fare, until the outcome is resolved.