OYSTER cards have taken another step closer to commuters using stations across Essex.

From Wednesday, the cards - which are paid for in advance and use a sensor at ticket gates - can be used by c2c travellers at Dagenham Dock and Rainham stations.

Both stations are within the Greater London boundary and, while Transport for London will not yet commit to offering the system beyond these borders, c2c has indicated its willingness to extend the scheme.

Mark Hopwood, managing director of the rail line from Shoebury to London Fen-church Street, said: "We hope to roll the facility out to additional c2c stations in the future as part of our commitment to making travel simpler."

Peter Slattery, co-chairman of the Southend Rail Travellers' Association, welcomed the prospect of Oyster being accepted more widely.

He said: "The Oyster cards are a good idea because they are quicker to use.

"Two people with ordinary tickets get through the barriers in the time six people can with Oyster cards.

"They are also safer because you get your money back if they're stolen."

However, Mr Slattery was concerned the new system may only be installed if London mayor Ken Livingstone's plan of taking control of all commuter services terminating in London came to fruition.

He said: "The real issues are the cost of installing the technology to use them and inevitably giving Ken Livingstone management of all London commuter services."

Transport for London is investing £40million so all London's train operating companies accept Oyster within the boundaries of the capital.

This latest extension of the scheme also applies to trains on the Chiltern service and One Railway services in North East London.

About 17 million of the cards have been issued since it was introduced in 2003.