Oyster pay-as-you-go cards will finally be rolled out to Radlett Station following an announcement from the newly appointed rail minister.
Radlett residents rejoiced after the announcement was made on Friday, November 30.
The extension of the payment process has been a priority of Hertsmere’s Oliver Dowden MP for some time. He has met regularly with rail ministers and the transport secretary stress the need to deliver on past commitments to extend Oyster technology to these stations. He also wrote to the Chancellor in advance of the Budget last month to request funding for this extension.
Andrew Jones MP made the announcement on the morning of November 30, saying Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern lines would see an extension of the Oyster and Contactless bankcard pay-as-you-go system along four of their routes: Luton Airport Parkway, which Radlett Station is on, along with Hertford North, Epsom and Welwyn City Garden.
Mr Dowden MP said: “After my long campaign to secure the extension of Oyster pay-as-you-go to Radlett and Potters Bar, I am pleased that this has been announced by the Department for Transport.
“The extension of Oyster will allow people to travel more flexibly, easily and cheaply by train and I made this clear to the Rail Minister when I met him last week to push for this.
“The delays in introducing it this year have been bitterly disappointing to everyone but I am pleased that it will finally be delivered next year.
“I will monitor the progress of this closely to ensure that the Department for Transport sticks to its promises.”
In a letter to Mr Dowden MP and other MPs who the changes affect, Andrew Jones MP said: “It is my hope that this will make travel simpler for you and your constituents and will end the situation where people arriving and expecting to be able to use pay-as-you-go face a penalty fare.”
Radlett residents have expressed their excitement at the announcement.
Julie Seginer said: “Absolutely thrilled. It is going to make my travel so much easier and cheaper – no more three pieces of paper printed for one journey so a bonus for the environment too.”
Mark Jones added: I welcome this long-awaited development, and am confident our MP Oliver Dowden will continue to press the delivery team to ensure that Oyster integration is rolled out on the announced schedule.”
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