The Queensland budget, announced on Tuesday, includes funding for contactless payments on public transport via smart phone and bank card, in what will be a $371 million program.
The 2018/19 budget includes roughly $90 million in the upcoming year to begin to implement ticketing technology that will allow public transport users to pay their fare using their credit or debit card, or their smart phone.
State treasurer Jackie Trad said on June 12 the plan wasn’t aimed at completely phasing out the existing Go Card contactless payment system, but said the overhaul was a step to reduce the system’s reliance on a single ticket solution.
“We know that when we make public transport more convenient, more people get on board,” Trad was quoted by the Courier Mail. “Part of that is making paying for a fare easy and accessible.
“New technologies including using wearable devices, your smart phone or credit and debit cards to pay for public transport are all on the table in addition to the existing Go Card and paper ticket options.
“We are finalising a global procurement process and expect to be able to announce the successful proponent in the near future.”