Passengers travelling between Leicester, Derby, and Nottingham have been given access to a new digital ticketing system from 1st September 2025, as part of government-backed trials to modernise the rail network.
The scheme allows up to 4,000 participants to use a location-based app that automatically tracks their journeys and charges the best available fare at the end of the day. The system uses GPS to log journeys, removing the need for paper tickets or pre-purchased QR code tickets. For checks at barriers or during inspections, passengers can display a unique barcode generated by the app.
The technology, which had previously been rolled out in Switzerland, Denmark, and Scotland, is being trialled in England for the first time. From the end of September, the trials are set to expand in Yorkshire on Northern services, covering routes 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.”
Oli Cox, Head of Commercial Strategy and Business Planning at East Midlands Railway, said: “We’re delighted to announce the launch of our digital pay-as-you-go trial. We’ve had a fantastic response from customers keen to take part – with more than 500 people registering their interest so far.
“We know that complex fares can be a real barrier to travel, but this trial removes that uncertainty, making it easy to simply tap in and out on your phone, safe in the knowledge you’re always getting the best-value fare on the day.
“It is exciting to be one of the first train operating companies to trial this new technology, and we’re looking forward to hearing from customers as they start using the app to travel between Derby, Nottingham and Leicester in the months ahead. There is still time for customers to sign up and try it for themselves and anyone interested should visit our website for more details.”
Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, said: “Since I first stood to be Mayor, it’s been my ambition to introduce integrated, tap on and off ticketing technology across the region. I’m, therefore, very pleased to see this first step towards simpler and more flexible train tickets being trialled by East Midlands Rail.
“It’s important to me that residents have automatic access to the best value for money when travelling. I urge anyone who uses this line regularly to register their interest and give it a go.
“With full public transport responsibilities being devolved to me in 2026, I look forward to hearing the feedback from East Midlands Rail and working together in the future to make easier journeys possible for everyone in the East Midlands.”
Northern had already reported a shift towards digital adoption, with mobile ticket use averaging 78% in January and reaching a single day high of 89%. Over the previous 12 months, the operator said it had issued 2.3 million fewer magnetic stripe tickets as passengers increasingly opted for mobile alternatives.
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.”
Funded by almost £1 million of government investment, the trial forms part of a wider strategy to simplify ticketing and improve passenger experience. The initiative was linked to the planned creation of Great British Railways, which aims to deliver more reliable services and encourage greater rail use.
