Contactless rail ticketing to be trialled in Yorkshire and East Midlands

A trial of contactless ticketing for rail travel is to be carried out in Yorkshire and the East Midlands.

The Department for Transport believes the use of contactless ticketing will give passengers a “guarantee of the best value ticket on the day”.

This, it said, will help to make working people better off, improve living standards and make travelling by train simpler, more flexible and more accessible.

“We’ve seen the success that contactless ticketing has on making journeys easier to navigate and attracting more people to our railways,” said rail minister Lord Hendy.

“It’s only right that we now look to expand contactless ticketing to other major cities across the north and Midlands.”

44% say rail fares are too expensive

The announcement comes shortly after a study by Campaign for Better Transport found that the cost and complexity of travelling by train is putting many people off.

Figures showed that:

• 44% of people are put off using trains because fares are too high
• 71% would be more likely to use trains if fares were lower.
• 42% would be tempted to travel by train if the booking experience was easier

Train operators welcome contactless trial announcement

News that contactless ticketing is to be trialled in Yorkshire and the East Midlands has been welcomed by local train operators.

Alex Hornby, commercial and customer director at Northern, said rail ticketing has long been “far too complicated”.

“Anything that makes the customer experience simpler has my vote,” he commented.

Oli Cox, head of commercial strategy and business planning at East Midlands Railway, added that complex fares can “sometimes be a barrier to travel”.

“This trial will help to remove that uncertainty, allowing customers to simply tap in and out via their phone, confident that they’re getting the best value fare for their journey,” he said.

The announcement comes shortly after the government launched a consultation on its plans to reform Britain’s rail network.

This includes proposals to overhaul ticketing, as well as setting up a new watchdog that can “give passengers a voice and hold train operators to account”.

How can I save money on train tickets?

If you’re put off travelling by train because of the cost, then there are a few ways to find better deals.

Season ticket

If you travel regularly, you could save money by getting an annual season ticket.

Use National Rail’s season ticket calculator to find out more.

Split your journey

Two single tickets can sometimes be cheaper than a return ticket.

Check sites like TrainSplit or Split Your Ticket to cut the cost of your journey.

Get a railcard

A railcard gives you a third off ticket prices for about £30 a year.

There are options for families, retirees and students.

Book early

Try to book at least 12 weeks before travelling for the best deals.

Set alerts on Trainline for when advance tickets come up.

For no booking fees, check National Rail’s list for advance booking dates.