US-based commuter rail operator Metrolink has approved an additional $2.2m in funding to buy new mobile ticketing technology.

The funding will be used for optical barcode readers at Metro Rail station turnstiles, which will allow Metrolink tickets and passes bought on mobile devices to seamlessly open gates.

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The financing approval allows Metrolink to amend the contract with Masabi, a specialist in mobile ticketing innovations.

"This action is an important milestone taking us one step closer to providing a digital option for Metrolink riders transferring to Metro rail."

The new mobile ticketing technology will ensure Metrolink customers to ride Metro Rail with the same ticket or pass.

According to Metrolink, the readers will complement its mobile ticketing solution scheduled to be rolled out in the coming months.

By using the new app, Metrolink riders will be able to buy a train ticket on their smartphone, tablet or other mobile devices and display the ticket on-screen for inspection.

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Metrolink CEO Art Leahy said: "The Metrolink board of directors has long stressed the importance of bringing Metrolink into the 21st century in terms of ticket purchasing.

"This action is an important milestone taking us one step closer to providing a digital option for Metrolink riders transferring to Metro rail. Passengers will soon be able to buy a ticket using their phone for travel throughout Southern California."

Masabi has so far developed mobile ticketing and fare collection systems for more than 25 transit agencies and operators worldwide, including the New York MTA, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, and the Metropolitan Transit System in San Diego.

Metrolink noted that from later this year, riders on all seven of its service lines will have the option of buy their tickets via mobile ticketing and continue a seamless connection to city bus, shuttle bus, light rail and subway lines at no additional cost.

From February, riders on the Inland Empire-Orange County (IE-OC) Line will have the option to buy tickets on their phones.

The IE-OC Line runs between the Riverside-Downtown and Oceanside stations servicing Riverside, Orange and San Diego counties.

Once the optical barcode readers are equipped and mobile ticketing is available on all lines, Metrolink riders transferring to a Metro Rail line will scan the bar code on the digital ticket on turnstiles and validators.