All public transport users in south-east Queensland will be able to use credit cards to travel across the region by June.
State Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said the long-awaited smart ticketing system, first mooted in 2018, would allow passengers to tap on and off public transport using a credit card, debit cards, smart phone, or smart watch.
Minister Mickelberg said the final three bus operators, Brisbane City Council, Clarks Logan City Bus Service and Kinetic Gold Coast, were on track to have smart ticketing installed by June.
He said smart ticketing was already available to customers on all South East Queensland trains, Brisbane River and Southern Moreton Island ferries, Gold Coast tram services, and nine bus operators covering the Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Moreton Bay and Redlands areas.
“Even though smart ticketing will be fully installed across the network within months, those who choose not to, or are unable to use a credit card or smart phone will need to keep tapping their Go-Card until a replacement reloadable card is available.”
Minister Mickelberg said the two systems would need to run simultaneously, until the end of 2027, to allow for users of both smart ticketing and Go-Cards.
“Running two systems due to (system rollout) delays is not efficient, but must be done to ensure everyone who wants to use public transport can, no matter how they choose to tap on.”
