Train operator Northern is making digital Pay-As-You-Go technology available for use by all passengers travelling on routes from Leeds to Harrogate and Doncaster to Sheffield.

The extension for all passengers to use the technology follows an initial trial with 2,000 passengers on these routes. The technology uses an app, which, in association with GPS, calculates the best fare, so passengers can travel knowing that they are being charged the best-value ticket, with the app calculating the best fare without the need for passengers to physically check in and out or buy a ticket in advance.

The technology also helps in the fight against fare evasion, as it ensures passengers pay the right fare for their journey, and also protects passengers in case digital Pay-As-You-Go inadvertently selects the wrong ticket for them to purchase.

Extending the use of Pay-As-You-Go is part of a wider reform of fares and ticketing in the lead-up to Great British Railways (GBR), including developing a GBR website with an app that provides a one-stop shop for passengers to buy tickets, check train times, and claim Delay Repay.

The government is investing £156 million in new ticketing schemes, and by 2027 it plans that Pay-As-You-Go will be available at over 100 more stations across Greater Manchester, the Midlands and the South East. Transport for Wales is also rolling out the technology across its network.

“The future of ticketing is happening right here in the North, which is making train travel simpler, frictionless and more convenient for our customers. We re delighted the trial has been extended until September 2027 as thousands of people will be able to use this innovative technology on two of our routes.It has already been used to make more than 30,000 journeys on Northern services and we ve received a lot of positive feedback so far. Customers are still welcome to sign up now to try out these digital pay-as-you-go app, and receive £15 worth of free credit to their account.”

Alex Hornby, Commercial and Customer Director, Northern