Cutting-edge rail ticket technology to be trialled across the Midlands and North

From today (1 September 2025), rail passengers travelling between Leicester, Derby and Nottingham will be able to take part in these trials, with more taking place in conjunction with Northern Trains in Yorkshire from the end of September.

The digital ticketing trials will allow passengers to check in and check out seamlessly on rail journeys, using a location-identifying app on their phone.

The app will track journeys using GPS (Global Positioning System) technology and then automatically charge passengers the best fare 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 using QR codes bought online or in-app ahead of your journey. Doing away with the need to plan and book journeys in advance, the app tracks your journey and determines which trains you took, detecting when you’ve left the rail network.

Up to 4,000 passengers can take part in these trials by simply signing up via the relevant train operator’s website, taking advantage of simpler and more flexible train travel, and a guarantee of the best value fare on the day.

This technology has already been tested widely in Switzerland, Denmark and Scotland, however, this marks the first time these trials are being brought to England’s rail network.

This demonstrates the government’s commitment to boosting passenger experience and trialling innovative technology to encourage more people to choose rail. By saving both time and money on thousands of journeys, digital ticketing will help improve living standards and make working people better off – delivering on the government’s Plan for Change.

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."