Ticketless rail travel to be trialled in Yorkshire

Passengers travelling between Leeds and Harrogate have been encouraged to take part

Rail passengers in Yorkshire have been invited to take part in a trial which will remove the need for them to buy tickets.

People travelling on Northern services between Leeds and Harrogate will be able to download an app from Monday which will track their journey and charge them the lowest possible fare at the end of the day.

For ticket inspections and to go through ticket barriers, a unique bar code will appear.

The Department for Transport said it was "bringing ticketing into the 21st century".

Rail minister Lord Peter Hendy said: "These trials are modernising fares and ticketing, making it simpler and easier for people to choose rail.

"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."

The trial will also be rolled out on Northern trains between Sheffield and Doncaster on 27 October and the operator's Sheffield to Barnsley services on 24 November.

The government said a pilot of the scheme in the East Midlands this month had been successful.

Alex Hornby, customer and commercial manager at Northern said: "We're proud to be at the forefront of simplifying rail travel for our customers in the North.

"These trials mark a significant step forward in making train journeys simpler, smarter and more flexible whether for work, leisure or everyday journeys."

Passengers, who will be given £15 worth of free travel for taking part, can sign up to the trial here.

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