Harrogate passengers say new Northern rail app system 'saves money on tickets'

Harrogate passengers are to have access to ticketless rail travel for an additional 12 months as part of trials for a new digital tickets system.

The popular pay-as-you-go digital system was first introduced for an initial 2,000 passengers using Northern rail services, between Leeds and Harrogate and Doncaster and Sheffield in 2025.

Now, the cap on the number of passengers able to take part has been lifted until September 2027.

So far Harrogate passengers making use of the new system have reported saving money compared to buying at the ticket office.

The pay-as-you-go app uses GPS to track journeys via a phone app that calculates the cheapest rail fare without passengers having to physically check in and out, or buy a ticket in advance.

For ticket inspections and to go through ticket barriers, a unique QR code appears for any passengers using the app.

When the journey ends, passengers will be charged the "best value" fare available.

Alex Hornby, Northern rail’s commercial and customer director, who was formerly chief executive of Harrogate Bus Company, said: "By trialling 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 checking in and out."

The Department for Transport said 30,000 journeys on trial had benefited from the new app up to now.

By 2027, the new ticketing scheme is expected to be available at more than 100 extra stations across Greater Manchester, the Midlands and the South East.