For the last year a small van has been driving around all the bus routes testing the 3G signal.

BBC: The beginning of the end of cash and the paper ticket?

Despite austerity, the state pension has been bolstered, winter fuel payments are outside the reach of means testing, and free bus pass and TV licence retained for the elderly.

BBC: Have young people never had it so bad?

Mr Duncan Smith is understood to have initially resisted the latest proposal, arguing money should be found by means-testing benefits such as free bus passes and winter fuel payments for better-off pensioners.

BBC: Conservative conference: Welfare needs 'cultural shift'

Mr Duncan Smith is understood to have initially resisted the welfare cuts proposal, arguing savings should be found by means-testing benefits such as free bus passes and winter fuel payments for better-off pensioners.

BBC: Tory conference: George Osborne in ?10bn benefit cut vow