Starting this summer, thousands of passengers across the North and East Midlands will have the chance to take part in a new trial aimed at making train travel more convenient and cost-effective. The government-backed digital ticketing trials will use GPS-based technology to track train journeys, ensuring passengers always pay the best fare for their journey. This initiative is part of the ongoing efforts to simplify and improve the UK’s rail system as part of the government’s Plan for Change.
Digital Ticketing Trials to Make Rail Travel More Flexible
The government is launching digital ticketing trials across key train routes in Yorkshire and the East Midlands. These trials will allow up to 4,000 passengers to volunteer and test a new GPS-based system that automatically tracks their location during their train journey. Unlike the traditional contactless ticketing, where passengers swipe at barriers, this technology will provide a seamless experience where passengers can check in and out with just their phones.
The trials will run along the following routes:
- Leicester to Derby to Nottingham (East Midlands Railway)
- Harrogate to Leeds (Northern Trains)
- Sheffield to Doncaster (Northern Trains)
- Sheffield to Barnsley (Northern Trains)
Each route will allow 1,000 passengers to take part, totaling 4,000 participants across the trials. The first trial will begin in September on East Midlands Railway (EMR) between Leicester, Derby, and Nottingham, with other routes starting between September and November.
Simplifying Ticketing for Passengers
These new digital ticketing trials demonstrate the government’s commitment to making rail travel simpler, more flexible, and more passenger-friendly. By using GPS to automatically track journeys and ensure passengers pay the best fare, the trials aim to eliminate confusion over ticket prices and make the travel experience smoother.
Lord Peter Hendy, the Rail Minister, emphasized the importance of this trial in improving passenger experiences. He stated, “Contactless ticketing is making journeys easier to navigate for millions of passengers, and now our digital trials are actively recruiting volunteers to help expand this technology across Yorkshire and the East Midlands.”
Encouraging More People to Travel by Train
As part of the ongoing effort to modernize the rail system, these trials are designed to attract more passengers back to the trains. Simplified ticketing and better payment systems are key to getting more people to choose the train over other forms of transportation, thus boosting the economy and encouraging sustainable travel.
Alex Hornby, Commercial and Customer Director at Northern Trains, shared his excitement about the trials, stating, “By trialling pay-as-you-go technology on some of our routes, we’re helping to shape a future where hopping on a train is as easy as checking in and out.”
Building on Previous Successes
The digital ticketing trials follow the success of contactless ticketing at 53 stations in the south-east, which has seen over 2 million entries and exits using contactless cards or mobile devices. The government is now expanding the system further, with plans to roll out contactless ticketing in more regions, including Greater Manchester and the West Midlands.
Jenna Cowie, Interim Commercial Director at East Midlands Railway, added, “This trial is all about making train travel easier, faster, and more intuitive. No more fare confusion – just check in and out with your phone and travel knowing you’ll automatically pay the best-value fare for your journey.”
A Step Toward a More Unified National Rail System
These trials are just one part of the government’s broader effort to modernize and simplify the UK rail system. The government’s goal is to establish Great British Railways, a new nationalized body that will bring track and train together to improve service standards and reliability. This change is expected to reduce delays and cancellations, providing passengers with a more dependable travel experience.
Alongside these efforts, the government has also announced a £15.6 billion investment in buses, trams, and local train infrastructure for city regions, further improving transportation options and helping communities across the north, Midlands, and southwest.
The digital ticketing trials being launched across Yorkshire and the East Midlands are an exciting development for rail passengers. With GPS-based technology and a streamlined payment system, these trials promise to make train travel easier and more cost-effective. As part of the wider efforts to overhaul the UK rail system, these trials represent a step forward in simplifying travel and attracting more passengers to the railways. With the ultimate goal of creating Great British Railways, these changes will help improve the overall travel experience for millions of people across the UK.
