A trial of digital ticketing using GPS (Global Positioning System) technology is being expanded to Northern services between Sheffield and Doncaster.

The technology, which is already being trialled on services between Harrogate and Leeds, and Leicester, Derby and Nottingham, enables passengers to use a location-identifying app on their phone to check in and check out when they travel by train.

Journeys will be tracked by GPS, and at the end of the day, the appropriate cost will be charged to customers’ accounts automatically.

During ticket inspections and when passing through ticket barriers, the app will display a unique barcode to be scanned.

With this technology, the use of paper tickets or mobile tickets purchased online or in-app ahead of journeys is eliminated.

There is also no need to plan and book travel in advance, as passengers’ journeys are tracked by the app, including which trains they take and when they leave the railway network.

Since September, when trials of the technology started on East Midlands Railway and Northern, over 2000 journeys have been recorded by the technology.

The trial will be extended to Northern services between Sheffield and Barnsley on Monday, 1st December. Passengers wishing to take part in the trials can do so by signing up for the trials via Northern’s website.

The trials are being backed by the Government, and all those opting to take part in the trial will receive £15 worth of free travel, which will be credited automatically to their account.

Passengers who are already taking part in the trials have described the app as “easy to install…and simple to use”, and “much better than the chore of buying tickets in advance”.

Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy commented that the railway ticketing system is far too complicated and long overdue for an upgrade to bring it into the 21st century. Through these trials, the government is doing just that, by making buying tickets more convenient, more accessible, and more flexible.

“We’re proud to be at the forefront of modernising rail travel in the North. The success of the first trial has shown that passengers value the simplicity and flexibility that technology brings. This second trial is an exciting next step, and we’re excited to offer customers in that area a smarter, easier way to travel. This is about removing barriers and making rail the obvious choice for everyday journeys.”

Alex Hornby, Commercial and Customer Director at Northern