Leeds Now

Real Journalism by Leeds Hacks

Threads Instagram Youtube Tiktok

Northern trials app for improved passenger experience

Passengers using Northern trains between Harrogate and Leeds have been selected to take part in the trial of a new app
A busy indoor train station featuring two stationary trains at adjacent platforms. The train on the left is a modern Northern Class 331 electric unit, numbered 331009, with a sleek blue and yellow design. Next to it on the right is an older Northern Class 158 diesel unit, numbered 158757, with a more classic shape and similar blue and yellow livery. The station has a high, arched roof with exposed beams and industrial lighting. Passengers are visible on the platform and escalator, and a digital clock displays the time as 16:16:35. Overhead signs direct travellers to various platforms, and daylight is visible through the far end of the station.
Source: Jack Houldsworth

Northern are this week trialing an app for commuters between Harrogate and Leeds in hopes to improve passenger experience.

The new app aims to make train travel “cheaper and more flexible” for commuters..

Pre-paid tickets will no longer be required for passengers using the app, who also receive £15 vouchers for travel with Northern for signing up to the trial.

Interior of a busy train station concourse with a large digital departure board displaying upcoming train times, platforms, and destinations in bright yellow text on a black background. Below the board, passengers move through automated ticket barriers, while others walk around or check the screens. Several staff in high-visibility orange vests assist passengers. To the left, escalators lead up to the platforms, and on the right side, a large digital advertisement screen displays a Trainline promotion. The station is brightly lit with a modern ceiling featuring linear lights, and the atmosphere is bustling with activity.Source: Jack Houldsworth | All Rights Reserved
Leeds Station is the busiest in the north of England serving 34 million passengers a year, according to Leeds.gov.uk

Northern’s new app allows customers to simply board a train of their choosing, and upon their arrival, the app charges the lowest fare available for that day.

Aayesha Kilmartin, 29, travels between Harrogate and Leeds every week for work. “Pre-booking my tickets can be a nightmare,” Kilmartin said.

“If I have to work later, or change my mind about the gym after work, I have to buy a different train ticket, so obviously that costs money. This app will be great for me because it will work out cheaper and I’ll have more flexibility with travel during the week.”

“To be honest, Northern trains are usually pretty unhelpful. There’s normally no flexibility with tickets and I’ve argued with train conductors so many times about missing my train because of work and then having to get another ticket, which I think is pretty unfair when a lot of the time they are cancelled or on strike.”

“You’ve also got to get really lucky with the prices because they vary so much depending on when you book them and what time you need to leave. I’m hoping this app helps with all that and takes the cost of commuting to and from work down a bit.”

Northern (formerly Northern Rail) was taken into full government control in 2020 after “broken promises” made by previous owners Arriva Rail North.

According to data published on their own website, Northern trains were on time 60% of the time, with 4% of their trains cancelled between August 17 and September 13 this year.

Around £1 million in government funding has been allocated to modernise train travel, encouraging more people to use the rail system.

The plans have the backing of the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, who said, “Introducing smart, location-based ticketing will remove barriers to rail travel and make it easier to get the best value fares without the need to plan ahead,” Brabin explained.

“I’d encourage everyone to take part in this trial. The results will help as we progress our ambition for an integrated Weaver Network seamlessly connecting travel options across West Yorkshire.

“Innovative approaches like this will help us create a better-connected region and encourage more people to choose sustainable transport as a way to travel.”

A close-up view of a ticket barrier at a train station. The machine has a yellow circular symbol showing a hand holding a card, indicating where passengers should tap their ticket or card. Below the symbol, a blue label reads “TICKET ↓ 51.” A barcode scanner slot is positioned lower down with a yellow sticker showing arrows and the words “Barcode Tickets.” The barrier arms are partially visible on either side of the machine.Source: Jack Houldsworth | All Rights Reserved

The new app has already been trialed with positive feedback in the Midlands, and further trials are planned for lines between Sheffield–Doncaster and Sheffield–Barnsley later this month.

Alex Hornby, Commercial and Customer Director 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.”

The trial comes during a good week for Northern passengers as the company also announced a flash sale of nearly 3 million tickets selling for just £2.

People boarding a dark blue and yellow passenger train at a station platform. The train is stopped alongside the platform under an overhead canopy, with electric wires visible above. A woman in a headscarf and black coat carrying a black handbag walks along the platform, while other passengers ahead of her move toward the train doors. Tall buildings can be seen in the background beyond the station.Source: Jack Houldsworth | All Rights Reserved

To find out more about the digital trials, visit the Northern website to register your interest.

Picture of Jack Houldsworth

Jack Houldsworth

All Posts

Related posts