New digital PlusBus ticket enables seamless rail and bus travel. A new digital version of the PlusBus ticket, which makes it easier for customers to complete a journey using the train and the bus, has been launched nationwide by Rail Delivery Group (RDG) in partnership with Traveline. Customer purchasing habits have changed dramatically in recent years, with over two thirds now using digital tickets for their journeys, increasing demand for simpler, more flexible ways to travel across different modes of transport. Previously only available as a paper ticket, PlusBus as mentioned as part of the Government's recent Better Connected strategy, is now available in most areas nationwide as an eTicket following a successful trial in Yorkshire and Cambridge in 2025, enabling passengers to combine bus and rail travel without the need for separate paper tickets. PlusBus is a rail ticket add-on that allows unlimited travel on most buses and trams within each PlusBus zone, with no on or off-peak restrictions. Most bus operators recognise and accept the new PlusBus eTicket, which is purchased at the same time as a rail ticket through online retailers and train operators. Customers now only need to make a single purchase when planning their journey, and when choosing to access their tickets digitally, will receive separate barcodes for the rail and bus elements. This means that passengers no longer need to carry a separate paper ticket for the bus. The key innovation behind the launch of digital PlusBus tickets is the acceptance of the National Rail barcode on most local buses and trams within over 280 PlusBus zones across England, Wales and parts of Scotland. Moving the PlusBus product from paper to digital also makes journeys more environmentally sustainable, and encourages greater use of public transport, with a single train journey emitting nearly five times less carbon emissions than the same trip by car - equivalent to saving as much carbon as boiling a kettle 455 times. Paul Bowden, Commercial Director at Rail Delivery Group, said: "Making PlusBus available as an eTicket is a major step forward in a seamless ticketing experience for customers. Being able to receive their rail and PlusBus ticket together online, in one transaction, suits the customer of today, with more and more people preferring the flexibility of digital tickets. "This is a significant achievement that helps remove barriers between different forms of public transport and makes journeys easier, sustainable and more convenient. As the industry moves towards the creation of Great British Railways, we are working hard to make buying tickets as straightforward as possible for customers." Julie Gray, Chief Executive at Traveline said: "Our customers asked us for a digital PlusBus ticket that they can use at both ends of their rail journey, and we've delivered! "This fantastic new product for England, Scotland and Wales is already going from strength to strength with 60% growth year on year, making truly integrated travel a reality for more and more people every day. "We've worked hard with RDG, as well as bus and train companies, from design to test and roll out of the new PlusBus ticket and are excited for the next phase of growth; to expand PlusBus availability to customers through new and larger areas, across more retailers, and to promote it more widely." Contact information. Rail Delivery Group media team. Notes to editors. * * Customers can use the PlusBus e-ticket for both the first and last mile of their rail journey, covering 280 PlusBus zones across England, Wales and Scotland. A full list of PlusBus zones as well as a search tool to check local PlusBus zones is available here. * For customers opting for paper rail tickets, a paper PlusBus ticket will still be available. * RDG and Traveline continue to work with transport operators and partners to explore further opportunities to improve integration and efficiency across the public transport network.

TV & film27.03.26 Wilkinson Train-ing It for C4 & Electric Robin. Channel 4 has ordered five-part digital series Train-ing It with Joe Wilkinson, from Banijay UK's Electric Robin, created in partnership with Rail Delivery Group, the membership organisation that represents Britain's train operators. The branded entertainment series offers a comedic look into life on the rails. Wilkinson is joined by celebrities as they travel the country by train. Episode one is Joe's journey with actor Michael Sheen, from London to Rose Theatre in Kingston. This is the latest project from Channel 4's Partner Lab, the in-house creative partnerships team that works with brands, offering solutions across partnerships, sponsorship, creative strategy and production. Its projects include Family Budget Switch Up with HSBC UK and long-form branded entertainment, Cancer Detectives: Finding the Cures with Cancer Research UK. The Training-It branded entertainment deal was led by media agency, Spark Foundry, part of Publicis Media. Stephen Parnell, Digital Commissioning Executive at Channel 4 said: "Train-ing It with Joe Wilkinson sits in the sweet spot of branded content: passionate talent with a clear creative vision, a Producer skilled at navigating every hurdle to bring that vision to life, and a brand willing to go above and beyond to make it all possible. This isn't just a digital chat show on a train - it's a chance for Joe Wilkinson to take his love of rail travel and combine it with genuine curiosity about the people he admires. With fantastic guests, a quintessentially British backdrop, and a series brought to life through the power of digital storytelling, it's ultimately a warm and witty celebration of travelling across the UK by train." Catherine Lyver, Head of Propositions and Marketing at Rail Delivery Group said: "Televisual Media UK Limited wanted to show the nation what regular rail users already know - there's something special about the little 'time bubble' you get on a train. It's the perfect moment to chat, unwind, laugh or just let your mind wonder whilst someone else does the driving. "Our new Channel 4 series brings that feeling to life with real journeys, brilliant guests and plenty of personality. It's a fun, fresh way to share the rail's industry's 'On the train you can' message and inspire more people to discover what they can gain when they choose to travel by train." Chris Jones, Creative Director at Electric Robin said: "Trains are one of the few places where people still sit opposite each other and actually talk - which makes them a surprisingly good setting for a show. Joe leans into that brilliantly, creating conversations that are warm, funny and a bit unpredictable. Working closely with Channel 4 and Rail Delivery Group, it's been a real pleasure to produce something that feels this simple, this human, and this entertaining." Emma Hopkins, Partner Lab leader at Channel 4 said: "It's been fantastic to see this partnership with Rail Delivery Group, Electric Robin and Publicis Media come to life, and the result really delivers. Joe Wilkinson brings his signature wit, drawing well-known guests out of their shells as they switch off from the outside world. Train-ing It with Joe Wilkinson is a premium social branded entertainment series that's quietly playful and a natural fit for Channel 4's style. Spanning multiple parts of the Channel 4 ecosystem, the partnership showcases how brands can brilliantly reach and connect with audiences through distinctive storytelling, encouraging light rail users to consider the train for more of their journeys." Jonathan Hill, Business Director at Spark Foundry said: "We're thrilled with this partnership - it brings together a strong brand idea, fantastic talent, and Channel 4's ability to create compelling multi-touchpoint content that brings our 'on the train you can' platform to life. Joe and his guests showcase the unique benefits of rail travel in a funny, relatable way. This longer-form format helps us reach our target audience, deepens engagement, and adds valuable strength to our overall media mix. All aboard - enjoy the show." Joe Wilkinson: "I love train travel and I love chatting to folk that I admire, so I am thrilled to be doing this show." Produced by Electric Robin, Train-ing It with Joe Wilkinson will premiere on Channel 4's YouTube on 27 March and will be available to stream later this spring. Highlights will also be available on Channel 4's TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube Shorts and a contextual advert shown across the streaming platform alongside an ad pause. The series forms part of the rail industry's wider national marketing activity, which aims to remind people of the time value you get back when you choose to travel by train. Under its "On the train you can" platform, the campaign celebrates rail as a place to connect, unwind or be productive, a rare moment in the day when the time becomes yours again. Train-ing It brings this idea to life by capturing those real, unfiltered moments that happen when the world slows down and the carriage becomes its own little time bubble.

Joe Wilkinson boards new Channel 4 and Rail Delivery Group series: Train-ing It with Joe Wilkinson. March 26, 2026 Channel 4 today announces Train-ing It with Joe Wilkinson, a new digital entertainment series created in partnership with Rail Delivery Group, the membership organisation that represents Britain's train operators. Fronted by comedian, actor and screenwriter Joe Wilkinson, the branded entertainment series offers viewers a witty and revealing look into life on the rails. In this five-part series, produced by Electric Robin (part of Banijay UK), comedian Joe Wilkinson is joined by a host of celebrities as they travel the country by train. Episode one is Joe's memorable journey with actor Michael Sheen from London to Rose Theatre in Kingston. With the extra time people get back when travelling by train, Joe and his companions have conversations that are funny, curious and quietly revealing - rooted in Joe's genuine affection for train travel and his fascination with what happens behind the scenes. Following his guests enroute to their next destination, the series offers an authentic glimpse into the moments in between, and the inspiration they can bring. Joe Wilkinson: "I love train travel and I love chatting to folk that I admire, so I am thrilled to be doing this show." Stephen Parnell, Digital Commissioning Executive at Channel 4 said: "Train-ing It with Joe Wilkinson sits in the sweet spot of branded content: passionate talent with a clear creative vision, a Producer skilled at navigating every hurdle to bring that vision to life, and a brand willing to go above and beyond to make it all possible. This isn't just a digital chat show on a train - it's a chance for Joe Wilkinson to take his love of rail travel and combine it with genuine curiosity about the people he admires. With fantastic guests, a quintessentially British backdrop, and a series brought to life through the power of digital storytelling, it's ultimately a warm and witty celebration of travelling across the UK by train." Catherine Lyver, Head of Propositions and Marketing at Rail Delivery Group said: "Banijay Entertainment SAS wanted to show the nation what regular rail users already know - there's something special about the little 'time bubble' you get on a train. It's the perfect moment to chat, unwind, laugh or just let your mind wonder whilst someone else does the driving. "Our new Channel 4 series brings that feeling to life with real journeys, brilliant guests and plenty of personality. It's a fun, fresh way to share the rail's industry's 'On the train you can' message and inspire more people to discover what they can gain when they choose to travel by train." Chris Jones, Creative Director at Electric Robin said: "Trains are one of the few places where people still sit opposite each other and actually talk - which makes them a surprisingly good setting for a show. Joe leans into that brilliantly, creating conversations that are warm, funny and a bit unpredictable. Working closely with Channel 4 and Rail Delivery Group, it's been a real pleasure to produce something that feels this simple, this human, and this entertaining." Jonathan Hill, Business Director at Spark Foundry said: "We're thrilled with this partnership - it brings together a strong brand idea, fantastic talent, and Channel 4's ability to create compelling multi-touchpoint content that brings our 'on the train you can' platform to life. Joe and his guests showcase the unique benefits of rail travel in a funny, relatable way. This longer-form format helps us reach our target audience, deepens engagement, and adds valuable strength to our overall media mix. All aboard - enjoy the show." Produced by Electric Robin, Train-ing It with Joe Wilkinson will premiere on Channel 4's YouTube on 27 March and will be available to stream later this spring. Highlights will also be available on Channel 4's TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube Shorts and a contextual advert shown across the streaming platform alongside an ad pause. This deal branded entertainment was led by media agency, Spark Foundry part of Publicis Media. The series forms part of the rail industry's wider national marketing activity, which aims to remind people of the time value you get back when you choose to travel by train. Under its "On the train you can" platform, the campaign celebrates rail as a place to connect, unwind or be productive, a rare moment in the day when the time becomes yours again. Train-ing It brings this idea to life by capturing those real, unfiltered moments that happen when the world slows down and the carriage becomes its own little time bubble. This is the latest project from Channel 4's Partner Lab, the in-house creative partnerships team built to help brands stand out, offering solutions across partnerships, sponsorship, creative strategy and production. Its projects include Family Budget Switch Up with HSBC UK and long-form branded entertainment, Cancer Detectives: Finding the Cures with Cancer Research UK.