A national transport smart card will be rolled out across Scotland, if Scottish Labour is elected in May.

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale has pledged to create an “integrated transport system” which would allow for a national smart card across all transports systems.

The system would be compulsory for all transport operators. Scottish Labour has promised that the legislation required would be placed before the Scottish Parliament within one year of Labour forming the next government.

Dugdale also stated that she would regulate bus services to ensure that routes are not cancelled due to unprofitability so that transport authorities would be able to continue to provide services for those that need them.

The Scottish Labour leader said: "We need a transport system that works for commuters, not transport bosses.

"Right now, the Scottish transport system is a patchwork of services and many areas are left behind with no decent provision.

"That's why we will legislate for an integrated transport system with regulated bus services and one smart ticket that can take you across Scotland."

Kezia Dugdale was also critical of the Scottish Government’s handling of their smart card system. In 2012 the government announced the creation of a "Saltire card" but the scheme is yet to be fully delivered.

Dugdale continued: "In 2012, we were told this wasn't far off but in 2016 we're still waiting.

"London has had a single smartcard for thirteen years and have recently started taking payments using contactless credit and debit cards. The technology exists - all we need is the political will to deliver it.”

The Scottish Government however defended their record on transport.

Transport Minister Derek Mackay said: "Labour have missed the bus with these out of date proposals.

"We are already rolling out national smart card plans across ScotRail, introducing systems so the same cards can be used on ScotRail and the Glasgow Subway and working with our bus and ferry companies to ensure the Saltire national concessionary travel cards used by 1.9 million travellers are usable across the transport network.

"Scotland is strides ahead of anywhere else in the UK as it is bringing together multiple operators, with multiple fares systems.

"Comparisons to London, where there is one service provider with a single fares system, are quite simply misleading - and demonstrate a fundamental lack of understanding of smart ticketing systems."

By 2019 the Scottish Government estimate that 60% of rail journeys will be made by smart card.