Rail passengers travelling between Leicester, Derby, and Nottingham will, from today (01 September 2025), be given the chance to take part in a trial of a new Global Positioning System (GPS) based ticketing technology.
The technology allows passengers to check-in and check-out on rail journeys using a location-identifying app on their phones, with the most cost-effective fare then being charged at the end of the day.
For passengers requiring the use of ticket barriers or subject to inspection, a unique bar code will be issued within the up when necessary.
The technology, which has already been tested across Switzerland, Denmark and Scotland, automatically tracks journeys and determines which trains have been taken, eliminating the need to buy tickets for any dedicated journeys.
Passengers interested in taking part in the trial can sign up via the relevant train operator’s website, with more set to take place in conjunction with Northern Trains in Yorkshire from the end of September on services to Harrogate, Leeds, Sheffield, Doncaster and Barnsley.
Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, said:The railway ticketing system is far too complicated and long overdue an upgrade to bring it into the 21st century. Through these trials we’re doing just that, and making buying tickets more convenient, more accessible, and more flexible. By putting passenger experience at the heart of our decision making we’re modernising fares and ticketing and making it simpler and easier for people to choose rail.
Through our Plan for Change we’re delivering growth in every corner of the country, and passengers across the Midlands and North will see real change in buying their train travel from today.
The trials have been backed by almost 1 million GBP in Government funding, and form part of plans to modernise the transport system across the UK.
Alex Hornby, Commercial and Customer Director, Northern said:These trials mark an important step forward in simplifying rail travel and making the experience as frictionless as possible for our customers.
By trialling Digital 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 tapping in and out. We thank the customers who have registered to participate in the trials on our routes later this year and we hope more will come forward to play their part in modernising how people travel by rail in the north.
The trials are set to run for nine months in total across the following routes and operators, with up to 1,000 passengers able to take part in each pilot:
- Leicester – Derby – Nottingham, led by East Midlands Railway
- Harrogate – Leeds, led by Northern
- Sheffield – Doncaster, led by Northern
- Sheffield – Barnsley, led by Northern
