Passengers across the North and East Midlands will now be able to take part in a new digital ticketing trial from today (6th June).

Great British Railways is being backed by government funding to test the system with passenger volunteers.

The trial will track train journeys using GPS-based technology to help make sure passengers are paying the best fare for each journey.

This trial marks the next step in the government’s plans to modernise the railways in a simpler, more flexible, and passenger-focused manner.

The ticketing trial will be operated by East Midlands Railway and Northern and will run on the following routes:

• Leicester – Derby – Nottingham 
• Harrogate – Leeds 
• Sheffield – Doncaster 
• Sheffield – Barnsley 

Previous ticketing methods, such as pay-as-you-go, which relied on contactless payment at barriers, this method will see passengers tracked during the journey so that the cheapest price can be found.

For each route, there will be 1,000 passenger slots to take part in the trial, with the first one beginning in September between Leicester, Derby and Nottingham.

The Northern routes will start in September and November, running for nine months.

Anyone wanting to join the trial can check East Midlands Railway’s website or Northern’s website.

“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. 

 “Simplifying ticketing is a major part of our plans to overhaul the railways. I encourage anyone who regularly gets the train along these routes to get involved, and help us build a ticketing system that delivers a better experience for passengers and communities across the country.”

Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy