Ticket gates at Huddersfield Railway Station are to be upgraded to accept new smartcards.

The Department for Transport has announced £153,000 to install new technology on the barriers.

The work will allow passengers to use the West Yorkshire MCard to purchase fares at the station gates.

Smartcards make it easier and more convenient for passengers to travel, cutting out the need to issue paper tickets.

At the end of June we reported complaints from commuters frustrated by the lack of MCard connectivity in the barriers.

Transport Minister Robert Goodwill said: “As part of our long-term economic plan we are investing record amounts to deliver a railway fit for the 21st century.

“That means harnessing the latest technology to offer the best possible services for passengers.

“Smartcards are a key part of that, offering greater flexibility and ease of use for passengers. I am delighted we are able to roll out this technology at Huddersfield.

"Smartcards have proved extremely popular with passengers and the Government is keen to see them adopted across the entire network.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority is currently rolling out the MCard. The scheme is second only in size to London’s hugely popular Oyster scheme.

Transport Commitete chairman Clr James Lewis said: “This funding will help to ensure that the almost two-and-a-half million passengers who use Huddersfield Station every year will be able to do so using MCard smartcards to get through the ticket gates.

“After Bradford Interchange and Leeds, Huddersfield will become the third major West Yorkshire station to have smart-enabled gates. Smart enabling the gates at Huddersfield station represent another important step in rolling out smartcard ticketing across West Yorkshire.”

New Huddersfield train station barriers are just the ticket ... except for the tickets they don't accept: Click to read

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