Contactless Payment Arrives on the Henley Branch Line
Customers can tap from today with contactless pay as you go on the GWR Henley branch line.
Pay as you go with contactless already exists on GWR and TfL Rail services between London Paddington and Reading, and now passengers using the Henley branch line also have a more flexible way to pay to travel.
Any contactless payment including bank cards, Apple Pay and Android Pay can be used by touching the card or mobile device on the yellow reader located at ticket gatelines.
Customers must then remember to always tap out with the same card or mobile device once they’ve reached their destination.
Pay as you go with contactless was first introduced on London’s buses in 2012 and expanded to cover Tube and rail services across the capital in 2014.
GWR Commercial Director Phil Delaney said: “Pay as you go with contactless is an easy and convenient alternative to having to queue at the station for a printed ticket and we’re really excited to be able to extend its use on the branch lines to Henley-on-Thames.
“We introduced contactless between London Paddington and Reading early in 2020 and although customer numbers dropped significantly during the pandemic, it was still a popular method of payment.
“We’re always looking at ways to make travelling with GWR a simpler, more accessible experience and believe extending pay as you go with contactless to our branch lines will be well received by customers.”
Shashi Verma, Chief Technology Officer at Transport for London (TfL) said: “The popularity of convenient travel via pay as you go with contactless has seen it expand across London and the surrounding areas in recent years. We are delighted to bring this smartcard ticketing to these branch lines, which will help rail customers outside London travel more flexibly and conveniently and support the wider economic recovery through easier access to rail travel.”
Over 1.6m journeys have been made with Pay as you go with contactless between Reading and Paddington since its introduction in early 2020.
Local branch rail support group Henley Trains warn that this method is for full fare adult passengers. Buy a ticket online or at the ticket office if you use a railcard or don’t need a full fare ticket.
They are happy to answer any questions at henleytrains@gmail.com
