East Midlands Railway’s GPS-based pay as you go ticketing trial expands

East Midlands Railway (EMR) and Transport UK have confirmed that more than 500 passengers have already signed up to take part in a pioneering GPS-based pay as you go ticketing trial, as the operator urges more customers to join before places fill up.

The Digital Pay As You Go trial, which is running on routes between Leicester, Derby and Nottingham, allows customers to travel without pre-purchasing a ticket. Instead, journeys are tracked using GPS technology via a mobile phone, with the system automatically charging the best-value fare at the end of each trip. The scheme removes the need for customers to select the correct ticket in advance and aims to reduce fare confusion.

The trial, backed by funding from the Department for Transport, forms part of a wider national programme to modernise rail ticketing and make train travel easier, smarter and more intuitive. Transport UK’s business, East Midlands Railway, was the first operator to launch the technology as part of a broader project covering the Midlands and the North, focused on replacing outdated ticketing systems with more flexible, digital solutions.

The trial will run until August 2026.

A new seamless way to travel

Simon Pready, Commercial Director at East Midlands Railway, said: “We have had a great reaction to the launch of the trial, with more than 500 customers currently taking part and benefiting from a new, seamless way to travel.

“Digital Pay As You Go is all about making train travel easier, faster and more intuitive. No more fare confusion – just check in and out with your phone and know you’ll automatically pay the best-value fare for your journey. There is still time to sign up, so please register for one of the remaining places via our website.”

Customers interested in taking part in the Digital Pay As You Go trial can find further information and register online via the trial’s dedicated website page.