The 'First Bus mobile tickets' app offers First customers a self-service facility to purchase bus tickets, whilst on the move. Once purchased, m-tickets are downloaded to passengers' smartphone devices ready for inspection when boarding.

The First m-ticketing solution will be rolled out during 2014 across its UK bus operations with First Aberdeen and First Worcester already offering customers the innovative new payment option.

First has introduced m-ticketing to make it easier for customers to buy tickets and remove the worry of not having the correct change as well as speed up boarding times. First is confident that the new approach will encourage more people to travel by bus.

First UK Bus operates approximately 20% of all local bus services. A fleet of around 6,500 buses carries approximately 2.3 million passengers a day in a huge number of communities including 40 of the UK's largest towns and cities.

The m-ticketing solution is available on both iOS and Android smartphones with Corethree's Core Engine technology platform hosting the service. Core Engine will also provide the capability to monitor the solution in real-time and deliver powerful business intelligence and analytics.

Corethree's CEO, Ashley Murdoch said, "Service capabilities of Corethree's mobile ticketing solutions have enhanced significantly already in 2014 and we are delighted to be working in partnership with First. Passengers will now have greater payment options when accessing the bus using our ubiquitous m-commerce platform."

Giles Fearnley, Managing Director at First UK Bus, said: "I am confident that our investment in m-ticketing will be enthusiastically welcomed by our customers and strongly supports our strategy to attract new ones. We are delighted to be working with Corethree and are looking forward to bringing M Ticketing to life across our UK operations this year."