Online travel retailer redspottedhanky.com has introduced a UK train ticket service for mobile phone users.

The mobile application, which was developed by m-ticket company Masabi, allows customers to search for and buy train tickets without paying any booking fees. In addition, users will also earn loyalty points from redspottedhanky.com.

Juniper Research anticipates a large increase in the number of people using an NFC-equipped mobile phone as a metro railway or bus ticket over the next few years.

Its latest study found that 13% of North American and Western European mobile users - around one in eight - will use their NFC mobile phone as a tube or bus ticket by 2016, compared with less than 1% today.

Mobile Marketing magazine has an exclusive statement from Gareth Powell, Transport for London’s director of strategy and service development, in which he says London Underground expects to have WiFi service in place in time for this summer’s Olympic Games.

Last March, London Underground invited telecoms companies to tender for providing public WiFi service in tube stations by June 2012. The winning bidder was originally expected to be announced last year.

Train operator ScotRail is the latest rail company to launch a mobile phone app.

It says this is currently the only UK app that provides real-time train information for the UK and ticket purchasing for UK rail routes without any additional charge.

London Underground is inviting telecoms companies to tender for providing public WiFi service across its network by June 2012. It follows last year's trial of WiFi technology at Charing Cross tube station.

The winning bidder will be given the go-ahead by the end of this year, which means the network could be in place for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.