Contactless ticketing will be introduced at more than 700 train stations in an effort to "level up" the North and Midlands, the Government has said.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said passengers in these regions have "waited far too long" for the simpler ticketing system, which has been used on Transport for London (TfL) Tubes and trains since 2014.
This comes while the Government is also expected to scrap part of the HS2 plans for northern regions.
Tap-in and tap-out ticketing will be introduced at 700 stations across the country including 400 in the North, the Department for Transport (DfT) has said.
As part of a £360million investment, the DfT also aims to introduce price caps and greater integration with local bus and tram networks across the country.
Mr Shapps said: "Passengers across the North and Midlands have waited far too long to see the same fast, easy and convenient ticketing as those in London.
"We're determined to put that right.
"Today's investment is just the first phase of our efforts to overhaul our rail network, focused on improving journeys for passengers right across the country."
The Government is expected to scrap the eastern leg of the HS2 high-speed rail route between the Midlands and Leeds when the Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) is published on Thursday.
There is also frustration that plans to boost east-west rail connections across the region, known as Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR), will likely involve improvements to existing infrastructure rather than a new line between Manchester and Leeds.
Train passengers are facing an eye-watering rise in ticket prices next year after RPI inflation hit 3.8% in July.
While the government has not announced how far fares will rise next year, they usually rise in January based on the Retail Prices Index (RPI) measure of inflation for the previous July.
This year ticket prices in England and Wales rose by an average of around 2.6% in March - representing RPI for July 2020 plus one percentage point.
If a similar approach was used next year, regulated fares could rise by 4.8%.
A spokesman for the UK Government's Department for Transport said: "No decision has been made on national rail fares. The Government is considering a variety of options and we will announce our decision in due course."
Are rail prices out of control? Let us know in the comments below
Labour today warned if there is a 4.8% rise, the average commuter faces paying £3,295 for their season ticket - £1101, or 50% more, than in 2010.
The highest increase is projected by Labour to be on a season ticket between Birmingham and London Euston - which will have risen by £4,016 since 2010 and now costs £12,044.
Pressure group Campaign for Better Transport (CBT) believes fares should be frozen to encourage passengers to return, and cut carbon emissions from transport.
It also wants reforms to the fares system to be prioritised in the ongoing overhaul of Britain's railways.
CBT chief executive Paul Tuohy said: "In the face of a climate emergency, the Government should be doing everything it can to encourage people to choose low-carbon public transport by making it the cheapest option, not hiking rail fares.
"If the Government can freeze fuel duty for 10 years, it can freeze rail fares next year to help encourage more people to use the trains and get commuters back spending in our towns and cities."
