Rail passengers on the Sheffield to Doncaster route have made more than 30,000 journeys using a ticketless smartphone app as part of a trial by operator Northern.
The system was extended to the Sheffield-Doncaster route in November, following an earlier launch between Leeds and Harrogate in September. The app uses GPS to track journeys and charges users the best available fare on the day.
How the app works
When passengers start their journey, the app generates a barcode which can be scanned at ticket barriers and during train inspections. Travellers tap "end journey" when they reach their destination, and the system then charges them for the ticket.
The daily fare cap is set at £12.80. On the Leeds-Harrogate route, passengers have hit the daily cap more than 150 times since the trial began.
Passenger uptake
More than 3,200 passengers have used the app across the two Yorkshire routes. Northern's commercial and customer director Alex Hornby said the technology represents "the future of ticketing" and described the passenger feedback as "promising" with high app review scores.
Wider rollout
The digital pay as you go technology was tested in Switzerland, Denmark and Scotland before being introduced in England. It is also being trialled on some trains in the East Midlands, though a planned trial for Sheffield-Barnsley services was postponed.
Northern said use of the app would be expanded as part of the government's creation of Great British Railways. Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said the technology would "make rail travel simpler by reforming fares and modernising ticketing."
Passengers can still sign up to the trial and will receive £15 in journey credit.