Transport for Wales Introduces Contactless Rail Travel Across North East Wales

Transport for Wales (TfW) has expanded its contactless pay as you go rail system into North East Wales and the border region, allowing passengers to travel more easily without purchasing tickets in advance.

The new system enables customers to simply tap in and tap out using a contactless bank card or mobile payment device at participating stations. Fares are then automatically calculated to ensure passengers receive the best available price for their journey.

The rollout covers 15 stations in the first phase of the scheme, with further expansion planned later in the year.

Stations currently included are:

• Bidston

• Buckley

• Caergwrle

• Cefn-y-Bedd

• Gwersyllt

• Hawarden

• Hawarden Bridge

• Heswall

• Hope

• Neston

• Penyffordd

• Shotton High Level

• Upton

• Wrexham Central

• Wrexham General

The launch follows the success of TfW’s existing contactless travel network in South East Wales, where more than 4.5 million journeys have already been completed using the tap in, tap out system.

Transport for Wales said the expansion is part of its wider strategy to simplify rail travel and encourage greater use of public transport through more convenient and flexible ticketing options.

Alexia Course, TfW’s Chief Commercial Officer, described the introduction of contactless travel in North East Wales as a major step forward in improving customer experience across the rail network.

She said ease of travel is increasingly important for passengers making regular local journeys and added that extending the system beyond South East Wales would help improve connectivity and accessibility for communities across Wales.

Passengers are being reminded that they must use the same contactless card or smart device when tapping in and out to ensure the correct fare is charged.

TfW also confirmed that the North East Wales and South East Wales contactless zones currently operate as separate systems. This means passengers cannot yet complete journeys between the two regions using pay as you go travel alone.

Customers travelling beyond the local contactless zones will still need to purchase alternative rail tickets, with TfW stating that a range of ticket options remains available for longer-distance travel.