Perth-based Stagecoach will introduce contactless payment for bus journeys across the UK from next year.

The group announced it will implement contactless bus travel on all of its regional services across the UK by the end of 2018.

Scots can expect to banish the memories of exact change only as early as 2017, when the payment method will be introduced to the company's Scottish services.

Backed by a £12m investment, the move will aim to make bus travel easier for passengers using contactless credit or debit cards and other methods such as Apple Pay.

The deployment of contactless technology will be the first major project outside of London, with more than 4000 machines already ordered to service 50% of the current Stagecoach fleet.

Robert Montgomery, managing director of Stagecoach UK Bus, said: "Bus travel is experiencing a complete transformation.

"Major investment by Stagecoach in new digital technology is making it easier than ever to catch the bus.

"From contactless technology and new apps to greener vehicles with the latest environmental performance, buses are the simpler, smarter and greener mobility solution.

"But to maximise the benefit of this investment, we also need bold and urgent action by transport authorities to tackle the scourge of road congestion that is holding back bus reliability."

The plans have also been verbally backed by the government, with transport minister Andrew Jones saying: "Buses make vital journeys possible every day and this government is doing everything it can to improve services.

"The roll-out of contactless payment technology on Stagecoach bus services outside London will help hundreds of thousands of passengers.

"People will be able to buy tickets online and on smartphones, making bus travel more convenient, cutting queues and speeding up journeys."

It is estimated the project will cover more than 1200 bus operators in Scotland, England and Wales, making contactless travel available for 5.2 billion bus passenger journeys a year across Britain.