Customers can now go from booking to boarding in just a matter of minutes, and without the need for a paper ticket, as Great Western Railway launches mobile ticketing across its network.

GWR has expanded the availability of mobile tickets across its network, enabling customers to travel with their ticket on their smartphone or tablet.

If all users of the app were to buy paper-free tickets it would save a ten-metre high stack of orange rail tickets every week, or over half a kilometre every year.

Passengers can now use their smart phone or tablet as a pocket ticket machine to purchase and to travel following the installation of barcode readers at station ticket gates across the GWR network.

The scheme covers all singles and return tickets; standard and first class, adult and child.

Season tickets, group save, and rangers and rovers are not currently available.

By downloading the GWR app customers can instantly purchase a wide range of ticket types, including on the day ‘walk-up’ fares, from the GWR app for the majority of journeys across the GWR network.

Tickets are displayed on the phone screen as an encrypted barcode to be scanned by new readers at ticket gates and can also be checked on board by train managers with mobile barcode reading devices.

GWR head of retail, Lee Edworthy, explained: “Technology has fundamentally changed the way that we travel.

“The expansion of mobile ticketing will make buying a ticket and travelling with us much easier and more convenient, saving valuable time for customers.

“As one of the UKs leading transport providers, GWR is committed to making travelling by train even easier, and that is why we continue to develop our online and mobile ticketing service, ensuring we put our customers first and help communities to prosper.”