The Key to cutting ticket queues

Southeastern has launched The Key, an Oyster Card-style method of buying train tickets, rather than having to queue at a booth or machine by Emma Grafton-williams egraftonwilliams@thekmgroup. co.uk rather than feed the paper ticket through a machine. But unlike the London card, The Key will not hold funds or credit. Instead, it will store up to five tickets at any one time – with each to be bought and loaded separately.

The tickets will be rolled out next month, initially for weekly, monthly or annual season tickets.

Passengers can register by entering their details on the Southeastern website and collecting The Key card from a preferred ticket office.

Buying a ticket at a ticket office machine will automatically upload it onto The Key. You can also buy a ticket online and tap The Key onto a smart card reader at a train station to activate it.

Financial director Spencer Whiting, who commutes from Canterbury to London, said: “For someone with a season ticket it makes perfect sense. It works really well in London so I can’t see any reason why it shouldn’t work here – I’d use one.”

Cllr Steve Williams commutes three times a week from Can- terbury and believes the new scheme will reduce congestion at the ticket office.

“They need to haul themselves out of the 20th century and into the 21st, but it is a step in the right direction,” he said.

“Buying tickets remotely is great news. Demand is increasing and ongoing and if it reduces congestion at peak hours it’s positive.

“It’s disappointing they haven’t got to a stage where you can top up your account with money, but I like the fact that you can see your travel history too – if something goes wrong or the train is delayed you’ll know.”

Rail Minister Paul Maynard said: “This new smart card is great news for season ticket holders on Southeastern.

“Monday morning queues to buy tickets before you board will also be a thing of the past.

“With technology like this new card we are finally bringing rail travel into the 21st century.”

Passengers can apply for a free Key from November 30 at www. southeasternrailway.co.uk