Southeastern to replace 200 ticket machines with contactless and Oyster support

Southeastern Railway will replace more than 200 ticket machines at stations across its network, introducing models that support contactless payments and Oyster top-ups. The £9 million investment, announced by the operator, includes upgrades to ticket offices and new handheld devices for staff.

The current machines, some of which are over 20 years old, will be phased out as part of the programme. Southeastern said the existing hardware, while updated over time, is no longer suited to modern ticketing methods, such as barcode tickets and digital season passes.

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What the new machines will offer

The new Ticket Vending Machines will feature faster touchscreens and a broader selection of tickets, including paper-printed barcodes. They will also assist passengers in finding the most appropriate fare for their journey, according to Southeastern.

Accessibility improvements include high-contrast displays, height-adjustable screens, and multiple language options. The machines will be compatible with contactless payments and will allow Oyster card top-ups, addressing long-standing gaps in the current system.

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Many of our current ticket vending machines have served us well for many years, but technology has moved on significantly and customers rightly expect a more modern experience.

David Wornham, Customer Experience Director, Southeastern Railway

David Wornham, Southeastern’s Customer Experience Director, said the upgrades would make ticket purchases easier and more accessible. He added that the new machines would align with how passengers now travel, reflecting changes in technology and customer expectations.

Ticket offices to remain open

Despite the shift toward digital ticketing, Southeastern confirmed that ticket offices will continue to operate alongside the new machines. The operator is also upgrading equipment used by ticket office staff and introducing handheld devices for frontline employees.

The aim, Southeastern said, is to ensure a consistent ticket-buying experience, whether passengers purchase from a machine, a ticket office, or onboard a train. The first of the new machines are expected to be installed by the start of 2027, with the full rollout completed across the network in the months that follow.

What happens next

Southeastern has not yet confirmed which stations will receive the new machines first. The operator said the rollout will begin in early 2027, with all 200 machines replaced over the course of the year. Passengers will be able to use the new machines as soon as they are installed.