The number of customers using digital tickets on Northern trains has hit a monthly high.
In January, more than 71 per cent of all journeys were made with digital tickets, and on one day in that month, the figure was almost 80 per cent.
This comes after investment by Northern in its digital ticket infrastructure, making it 'easier than ever' to buy a ticket via its app, website or one of more than 600 ticket vending machines across the network.
Alex Hornby, commercial and customer director at Northern, said: "The demand for digital ticketing is only going in one direction and to exceed 70 per cent of all journeys over the month is a real milestone.
"All of our trains have a conductor on board and by scanning tickets digitally we're able to track much better where and when customers are travelling, which helps with service planning.
"However, this is a real endorsement from our customers on the convenience of buying tickets on their own devices online and on the Northern app."
The company has stated that paper tickets can still be purchased over the counter from ticket offices at staffed stations.
Northern is the second-largest train operator in the UK, with nearly 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the north of England.
Rail Minister Lord Hendy said: "The rail ticketing system we inherited was too complicated, and this proves that people want simpler options that make it easier to travel by train.
"We're listening to passengers and will be introducing even more fare reforms across the country including rolling out contactless ticketing in the North, making our railways simpler, more accessible and more flexible."
In April 2023, Northern reported a decline of five million in the number of orange 'magstripe' tickets across its network.
In June last year, it predicted that magstripe tickets could be a museum exhibit within five years as 2.3 million fewer tickets were used by customers making journeys.
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