Southern has installed additional eTicket readers at those stations that did not have them at every ticket gate, meaning that they can now be scanned at every ticket gate at all stations on its network.

For some time, eTickets could be scanned at most stations on Southern’s network. These additional barcode readers ensure 100% coverage for eTicket scanning, with the advantage that they reduce queues of waiting passengers.

The stations to receive additional barcode readers were at Angmering, Ashtead, Barnham, Bexhill, Bognor Regis, Dorking, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath, Lancing, Leatherhead, Littlehampton, Polegate, and Reigate.

Some of the ticket gates at these stations already had barcode readers, but with the rising popularity of eTickets, queues sometimes formed of people waiting to scan them. Every ticket gate at these stations now has a barcode reader.

It is estimated that 50% of tickets now sold in the UK are digital. eTickets are convenient and popular because they can be bought instantly on the train operator’s OnTrack app or website. They are ideal for advanced singles, peak and off-peak singles, and peak and off-peak day return tickets, and are available between any stations with a barcode reader on the ticket gates.

eTickets work by buying a ticket online and choosing eTicket as the delivery option. The eTicket is sent by email and can then be added to a wallet app on the phone. To use the eTicket, simply scan it on a reader at the ticket gates before boarding the train.

Apps and websites will offer passengers an e-ticket if they are available on the route they want to travel. These are Southern’s OnTrack app and online at southernrailway.com.

Customer Services Director Chris Fowler said:

“Barcode eTickets are quick to buy and convenient to use so we’re steadily adding them to more and more ticket gates across our stations to make life easier for our customers.”

Jacqueline Starr, Chief Executive Officer at the Rail Delivery Group, said:

“We’re making it easier for people to buy train tickets with people rapidly switching to buying online and now using digital tickets for half of all journeys. Investment in smart ticketing across the network has made train travel quicker and easier as people can get their ticket straight to their phone.”