Southeastern launches improved version of The Key

Southeastern is bidding farewell to paper train tickets with the upgrade of The Key, the ITSO based smartcard ticket now available for season tickets as well as a wide range of single and return fares.

Tickets on The Key can now be bought and picked up from Southeastern ticket offices, as an alternative to buying regular season tickets, in place of the old-style paper tickets which can wear out easily in ticket gates. Tickets on The Key can also be bought online, and redeemed by tapping in and out of ticket gates.

The Key can also be managed online through customers’ individual accounts, so replaced more easily if lost. And as each Key is registered to an individual, it means that a new one can be sent quickly to a customer’s home address.

Launching the new-look Key smartcard at Sittingbourne station on Tuesday, Southeastern’s Head of Retail John Backway said:

“It’s time for the swansong for the old-style paper tickets that have been around since the 1980s, which use out-dated technology and can wear out quickly, especially season tickets that are used frequently.

“The Key has a huge advantage in that more than one ticket can be stored on it, and for the first time we’re introducing the option of being able to buy single and return fares, with all of the usual Railcard discounts as well. By switching today, passengers who are looking to renew season tickets by January 1 2019 can take advantage of the added benefit of paying 2018 prices – avoiding long queues at the same time.”

Smarter ticketing on National Rail – including The Key - and barcode ticketing elsewhere will become available for use on trains not just throughout the south east but across England during 2019.

For more information visit South Eastern Railway.