The Oyster card service is set to extend to another Kent station following a change of rail operator.

The Department for Transport (DfT) today announced Transport for London (TfL) will take over some services in the South East, providing more trains and cheaper fares.

The change is a victory for Boris Johnson who has spearheaded the campaign for improved services and customer satisfaction.

It means the south-east London Metro train services will be transferred from Southeastern to TfL's franchise operation, London Overground Railway.

The changes will affect services at Dartford and Sevenoaks, where the station is set to receive the Oyster card service.

Alterations are expected to come into force in June 2018 after the current Southeastern franchise ends.

TfL is to work with the Department of Transport (DfT) to create a more joined-up rail network with more frequent services and increased capacity.

The collaboration will run services which operate within London's boundaries while DfT officials will be responsible for the wider South East. Rail bosses hope the partnership will ensure all passengers benefit from a joined-up approach

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "We are committed to making journeys better across London and the south east, and this new partnership represents a huge opportunity to transform travel by putting passengers where they should be – at the heart of the rail network.

"We are working closely with to agree the best way of delivering integrated, seamless journeys for passengers both inside and outside of London, and as we continue these discussions, we want to hear people’s views."

The Sevenoaks Rail Travellers Association (SRTA) has long been campaigning to bring TfL’s standards of service and ticketing to Sevenoaks.

“This is a breakthrough for the Sevenoaks area and its long-suffering rail passengers" - SRTA chairman, Tony Clayton

Commenting on the proposals SRTA chairman Tony Clayton said: “This is a breakthrough for the Sevenoaks area and its long-suffering rail passengers. Our lobbying has helped local government recognise that this is the best way to go.

"We will be working with TfL, DfT and local government to ensure that these proposals are developed and implemented so that rail travellers see a real difference in quality of service and value for money. What should make a real difference is that TfL’s strategic approach is based on growing services rather than accepting old constraints.”

When provisional plans were announced last year, Kent County Council (KCC) said train fares and services in the county must not be adversely affected by the change of rail operator.

KCC stated it would not accept any reduction in service levels or detrimental effect on fares.