Global m-commerce service provider Netsize has revealed that eight cities in Italy have introduced a SMS payment solution for bus travel.

The bus networks of Pisa, La Spezia and Montova were the latest to deploy this approach to travelling.

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Travellers can purchase a bus ticket via an SMS, without having to use their credit card or bank account. The payment is taken directly from their prepaid or mobile account.

Public transport users send a keyword to the bus operator and receive an electronic ticket within seconds, which they present to the driver.

Text message expands the number of people that can use this ticketing solution, since it does not require the use of a smart phone.

Netsize is collaborating with various mobile operators in Italy, namely Vodafone, WIND, Telecom Italia and H3G.

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It has been reported that over 2m SMS fares have been sold since launch, 18 months ago. The provider of mobile operator micro-payment solutions hopes to extend its network and services even further in the near future.

Frédéric Deman, General Manager of Netsize, said: "An ever-growing number of cities are looking to using this technology to enhance the travelling experience.

"Furthermore, this type of solution can easily be extended to other applications, such as car parking, and is an ideal first step towards the introduction of more advanced NFC services via mobile phone."

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