YORK should have a “smart-ticketing” system for buses, one of the city’s MPs has said.

Hugh Bayley, who represents York Central, asked Transport Minister Norman Baker what help the Government is providing to “smaller local authorities” such as York to introduce ticket systems which make travelling by bus quicker and cheaper.

The minister said smart-ticketing had been rolled out to a “significant” level. He said it was more difficult for smaller council areas but the Department for Transport budget had allocated £15 million for initiatives by small bus operators.

Mr Bayley said: “Nearly all our major cities offer a smart-ticketing system and I want York residents to have the same benefits.”

City of York Council has been allocated £650,000 through the Better Bus Area Fund to develop the infrastructure for a York system and plans to sell smart tickets from electronic street kiosks, Payzone points and outlets including universities and colleges if the necessary extra money can be secured.

Coun Dave Merrett, city council cabinet member for transport, has said the aim is for all-York smart cards to be in place by 2014.