Just as I’m preparing updates to include the 50 new stations in the Project Oval PAYG rollout, Greater Anglia has announced that it’s extensions to Stansted Airport, Witham and Southend Victoria have been deferred until Summer 2026. The Chiltern extensions to Aylesbury Vale Parkway, and Thameslink/Southern/Great Northern extensions to Harlington, Baldock, Dorking, Reigate and East Grinstead will still go ahead as planned on December 14th.
There is no word what the problem is that has caused this last minute hitch, but I wouldn’t read too much into the delay taking six months to fix. Data updates to the PAYG system take place four times a year (March, June, September and December) and the March update contains the annual fare revisions which mean that other major work will be discouraged at that time. Whilst a lot of fares are being frozen in March 2026 there will still be some increases to off-peak fares and caps, largely outside the zonal area.