If Yorkshire is to make the most of future high speed rail links, more investment is needed in the region, transport experts have said.

A new report from The Campaign for Better Transport has recommended that the introduction of a London-style zonal system similar to that on the Tube, as well as smartcards that can be used across the North.

This comes as a host of train companies compete to take charge of the northern and transpennine rail franchises from 2016.

The campaign has said that investment is needed now in order to make sure that when the HS2 and HS3 high speed rail links are put in place in the 2020s and 30s, there will be adequate local services to connect with them.

Stephen Joseph, chief executive of the campaign, commented: “The north’s rail network has been getting a raw deal for decades. This new research shows that major investment is not only long overdue, but is essential if we’re to tackle the north south divide.

“All eyes are on the government. They must use the new franchises for Northern Rail and TransPennine Express to get rid of outdated rolling stock, improve stations and make sure their are enough seat to cope with demand.”

According to the report, the idea that northern rail services receive heavy subsidisation is based on “shaky economics”. This idea ignores the geography of the region, it claimed, while the point that fares are low ignores the north-south wage gap.