- New location-based digital ticketing trial rolled out on
Northern services between Sheffield and Doncaster
- Thousands of journeys already made across England using
digital ticketing technology
- The Government is delivering on its promise to modernise
ticketing, making it easier for people to choose rail
Rail passengers in South Yorkshire can now join hundreds across
England in trialling new digital ticketing technology.
From today (3rd November 2025), people going between Sheffield
and Doncaster can take advantage of simpler and more flexible
ticket options when they travel on a Northern rail
services.
More than 2000 journeys and counting have already been made under
similar trials on East Midlands Railway and Northern services,
which both launched in September.
Digital ticketing trials allow passengers to check in and check
out seamlessly on rail journeys, using a location-identifying app
on their phone. The app tracks journeys using GPS (Global
Positioning System) technology and then automatically charges
participants at the end of the day. For ticket inspections and to
go through ticket barriers, a unique bar code will pop up in the
app to be scanned.
This technology replaces the need for paper tickets or more
commonly used mobile tickets bought online or in-app ahead of
journeys. Doing away with the need to plan and book travel in
advance, the app tracks which trains passengers take, detecting
when they have left the rail network.
The latest trial comes as the Government is delivering the
biggest overhaul of the railways in a generation through the
creation of Great British Railways, which will help to deliver
better services for passengers and simpler fares across the
network.
Thanks to Government backing, passengers taking part in the
trial will get £15 worth of free travel, with credit
automatically added to their account.
The scheme makes it easier for people to choose rail and
guarantees the best value travel on the day for full fare paying
adults, boosting travel opportunities for communities as
part of the Plan for Change.
Rail Minister, Lord ,
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.
“As part of our Plan for Change, we're delivering
straightforward, stress-free train travel across the North,
supporting passengers and boosting economic growth, jobs and
homes.”
Passengers can make the most of simpler and more flexible train
travel by signing up for the trials via Northern's
website.
In a further boost for train users in the North, another trial of
the technology will launch on the Sheffield – Barnsley route run
by Northern on 1 December 2025.
Passengers taking part in Northern's first trial of the
technology have described the technology as “easy to
install...and simple to use”, while others have said it is “much
better than the chore of buying tickets in advance.”
Alex Hornby, Commercial and Customer Director at
Northern, said:
"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."
Mayor of South Yorkshire, , said:
“It's encouraging to see new technology being trialled to make
rail travel easier for us all here in South Yorkshire. We know
ticketing can be a barrier, especially for people who don't
travel often, so anything that helps make the system more
straightforward to use is a step in the right direction.
“I'll be keeping a close eye on how this trial works for
passengers. If it helps break down barriers and makes rail more
accessible for everyone, then it's something we'll want to build
on.”
Backed by nearly £1 million of government funding, the trials are
part of plans to modernise our transport system, putting
passenger experience at the heart of every journey and
encouraging more people to take the train – building on the
government's mission to deliver growth.
Notes to editors
- This trial comes on top of existing trials between Harrogate
and Leeds, and Leicester, Derby and Nottingham.
- The Digital Pay As You Go (DPAYG) trials are only open to
passengers over 18 years old.
- Discounts that are offered at ticket offices and Ticket
Vending Machines only and are not retailed online, such as
Two Together and GroupSave Railcards, are not available to
use in the DPAYG trials. Only one Railcard can be
associated with an account.
