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.

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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-based mobile phone ticketing company Masabi is receiving $4 million from mobile technology investment business m8 Capital.

The money will be used to support m-ticket deployment with UK rail companies, for the development of new service features and to help Masabi expand into new markets.