British operator c2c boosts ridership thanks to Pay as you Go
15.10.2025
c2c, the British operator, has seen a considerable growth in the number of passengers after introducing the Pay as you Go system that facilitates easy payment of fares using bank cards and mobile technology. It is the major milestone in the digitalization of transport services.
This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.
Pay as you Go improves convenience and speeds up payments
Ever since Pay as you Go launched in February 2025, the number of weekly transactions increased by over 60,000 and overall operations went past a million by July. This increased growth demonstrates passengers’ great confidence in the technology of contactlessness.
Don’t miss…Nedersaksenlijn Project to Connect Groningen, Emmen, and Twente
It runs on all the 26 stops that are accessible to East London and south Essex. It is time-saving for the passengers and flexible in terms of fare because the passengers need not travel after buying the tickets.
Despite the mass migration to work from home arrangements, c2c has experienced a ridership growth by well over 80% versus pre-pandemic levels. Folks now work from office and home interchangeably, so travel demand has become less predictably regular but instead is spread fairly evenly across the week.
Pay as you Go drives flexible fares and higher demand
Passengers are preferring off-peak and flexible day fares more because they suit the new cadence of everyday living in the UK better. Peak-hour journeys increased by 5% in the 2024/25 financial year, primarily Mondays and Fridays when most commuters are going back to work.
With company statistics, approximately 37.3 million passengers a year travel by c2c services, making it a top UK suburban rail operator. Following the transfer under the ownership of the state-owned DfT Operator (DfTO) of the business on July 20, 2025, the company further intensified its emphasis on digitalization, sustainability, and passenger comfort.
Consultants observe that c2c’s experience proves the efficiency of new payment technologies. Pay as you Go integration also increases customer loyalty besides speeding the currentization of the whole UK rail network.
News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed:
What is Pay as you Go in rail transport?
It’s a system that allows passengers to pay for trips using a bank card or smartphone without buying a paper ticket.
When did c2c introduce Pay as you Go?
The company launched the system in February 2025, quickly seeing higher transaction volumes and passenger growth.
Is Pay as you Go available at all c2c stations?
Yes, the system operates across all 26 stations, including routes in East London and southern Essex.
Place your ads on webportal and in Railway Supply magazine. Detailed information is in Railway Supply media kit
