Contactless payment adopted on Qld transport

A new high-tech payment method is being rolled out on public transport across Queensland.

Commuters will soon be able to use their contactless debit or credit cards, smartphones and smart watches to pay for trips in addition to go card and paper tickets.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Palaszczuk government had allocated $371.1 million to roll out the system including new readers, quicker fare gates and system equipment, an updated app platform, real-time tracking and new ticketing equipment on urban buses.

“I am very excited about this project, and to be able to announce the successful proponent — Cubic,” said Bailey.

“This is about embracing technologies that have become available since the go card launched in 2008.”

go card operator Cubic is due to deliver the new system in 18 regional areas, as well as the metropolitan south-east, after being selected as the successful tenderer following a competitive global procurement process.

“The new ticketing system is an exciting chance to expand our ticketing options and to give public transport customers more flexibility, and in this year alone we have allocated nearly $90 million to get this project underway,” said Bailey.

The system will be an Australian first, building on proven technology used by millions of people in London, Chicago and Vancouver.

“This is a new, high-tech system that will make it easier for all Queenslanders from Cairns to Coolangatta to catch public transport,” Bailey said.

“Customers will still be able to keep using both go cards and paper tickets once the new system is implemented, ultimately offering even more ways to conveniently pay for public transport.

“go card has served SEQ commuters well for the last decade but we are now delivering a payment evolution offering more flexibility, increased accessibility and security. Having a more convenient payment system will also encourage more people to use public transport.

“This system gives us future flexibility to add other transport modes and payment options.”

The new system will also include additional encrypted bank-grade security and privacy protection for commuters.

“We’ll also be introducing a statewide payment system rather than just SEQ alone, including on urban buses in 18 different regional areas where qconnect services run,” said Bailey.

“This means that for the first time commuters and tourists in those regional areas will have integrated ticketing — making public transport easier and hopefully helping to boost regional tourism.

“It will also mean that we will be able to deliver real-time tracking for the first time in regional areas.

“The system will of course need to be designed, built and tested before trials are launched.”

Customers will be able to set up an account via a new app or web platform and have the choice of several payment methods — including go card and paper tickets. They will also be able to use major contactless credit and bank cards without the need to set up an account.

“I want to reassure people that they will still be able to continue to buy paper tickets and use their go cards under this new system,” Bailey said.

“The system will give them the choice to use the payment method that is most convenient and comfortable for them.”

The project will be delivered in the next four years. Detailed design, development and implementation planning will be undertaken first and this will establish the exact rollout time frames.

The 18 regional areas include: Cairns, Innisfail, Townsville and Magnetic Island, Bowen, Airlie Beach and Proserpine, Mackay, Yeppoon, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Bundaberg, Maryborough, Hervey Bay, Gympie, Sunshine Coast hinterland, North Stradbroke Island, Kilcoy/Woodford to Caboolture, Toowoomba and Warwick.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/cheekylorns

Please follow us and share on Twitter and Facebook. You can also subscribe for FREE to our weekly newsletter and quarterly magazine.