Paper travel tickets could become a thing of the past under proposals announced by the Government.

New technology, enabling mobile phones to double up as ‘swipe and go’ cards and bank cards to be used to pay directly for journeys could revolutionise how travellers purchase and use tickets according to the new consultation.

The Government estimates that the benefits of universal 'integrated smart' ticketing could be as much as £2 billion per year through improved journey times and faster, more convenient and reliable purchasing and use of tickets, with benefits for local government and operators too.

Central to the vision is the implementation of smart ticketing infrastructure using the Government backed ITSO specification to allow seamless travel between, and within, cities and regions; and different modes of transport.

Some of the more innovative proposals could see electronic tickets or pre-pay credit loaded straight onto a mobile phone enabling it to be used as a ticket; or ‘contactless’ payment which will allow ordinary bank cards to pay instantaneously for travel simply by being passed over a terminal, dispensing with the need for a ticket at all.

"Experience has shown that smart ticketing can be a key part of offering a 21st century public transport system,” explained Transport Minister Sadiq Khan. “And of course the easier it is to use public transport, the more people will do so, which is why I want to see a universal coverage of smart ticketing on all modes of public transport in England as quickly as possible.”

The Government hopes that the Smart and Integrated Ticketing Strategy will build on the success already seen in London where Oyster smart cards are now used for 78% of bus and tube journeys.