Bus operator Go North East is introducing a cashless and paperless fare system that will allow customers to order and receive tickets via a mobile phone.

Passengers using 'txt2go' can place their order by text and will then receive a message with the ticket information which can be shown to the driver as they board the bus.

"Buying tickets in advance speeds up the time it takes people to board our buses and helps us run a smooth, efficient service,” said Go North East's commercial director Martin Harris.

The service aims to increase security by removing the need for cash. And coded information within the digital ticket can reduce attempts at forgery. Tickets are also locked to the ordering handsets, making transfers between phones impossible.

With the solution implemented by Atos Origin and Swiftpass, customers will be able to buy single and day tickets from yesterday.

But more products and service improvements such as barcode scanners on buses could be introduced if the scheme - which is the first of its kind amongst UK bus operators - proves popular with passengers.

“We want to find out whether passengers feel comfortable with this method of buying tickets," said Harris.