Transport minister, Norman Baker, is asking officials to speed up the introduction of a new smartcard which will make it easier for people to access public transport across the country. It was originally proposed that the card, which will be much like the London Oyster card, would be introduced in 2020. However, Mr Baker sees no reason why the system should not be introduced within the next couple of years.

The card will be that same size as a credit card. Once topped up with money in a shop, by phone or online, the card can then be used to pay for journeys by bus, train and tram anywhere in the UK. Card reading technology will deduct the amount for a particular journey from a customer’s card reducing the need for time spent queuing at ticket offices.

The sort of seamless travel envisioned by Mr Baker would encourage more people to use public transport, according to the minister.

However, he has admitted that there might be problems using the system on long distance railway journeys. Mr Baker added that the system would not have to be paid for by the public, but by private rail and bus operators.

A spokesman for the Department for Transport said it was the government’s intention to make public transport as accessible as possible to as many people as possible. He added that the introduction of a smart card system which could be used anywhere in the country would be key to improving the travel experience.