Transport for Wales has launched contactless pay-as-you-go rail travel across North East Wales and the borders, allowing passengers to tap in and tap out using a contactless bank card or smart device at 15 stations across the region.

The first phase of the rollout covers Bidston, Buckley, Caergwrle, Cefn-y-Bedd, Gwersyllt, Hawarden, Hawarden Bridge, Heswall, Hope, Neston, Penyffordd, Shotton High Level, Upton, Wrexham Central and Wrexham General. Transport for Wales said further stations will be added later this year as part of a phased expansion of the scheme.

The launch follows the introduction of Transport for Wales’s contactless tap-in, tap-out network in South East Wales, where more than 4.5 million journeys have already been made using pay-as-you-go technology.

The scheme automatically calculates the best value fare for each journey, removing the need for customers to buy tickets in advance. Transport for Wales has said the expansion into North East Wales and the borders is aimed at making rail travel more flexible and straightforward for regular passengers and local journeys.

Customers using the system are being reminded to both tap in and tap out with the same card or smart device for every journey, to ensure the correct fare is charged.

“The launch of contactless pay as you go in North East Wales and borders is an important milestone in our work to make rail travel simpler, more flexible and better value for our customers. 

“We know that ease and convenience play a vital role in how people choose to travel, particularly for everyday journeys. By expanding contactless tap in, tap out travel beyond South East Wales, we are helping more communities travel with confidence and supporting our wider ambition for a better connected and more accessible Wales.” 

Alexia Course, Chief Commercial Officer at Transport for Wales.