Perth public transport users will be able to use their phones and bank cards to pay for tickets by the end of the year, Transport Minister Rita Saffitoti says, after extensive delays in getting the new technology online.

The project is more than a year behind schedule and Ms Saffioti revealed today it was more than $10 million over budget.

The ticketing overhaul, being trialled on Swan River ferries initially, will let people tap their phones and bank cards to pay bus, train and ferry fares.

Ms Saffioti said 50 regular ferry users were being sought for a four-week trial of the new technology.

"Should it be successful, we'll move to the next one, which will be 150 regular users of public transport across the buses and trains, and that'll be another four weeks with the target of having i

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