The Government of Queensland in Australia has unveiled plans to roll out a new contactless payment system across its transport network.
The government has allocated A$371.1m ($258.1m) for the initiative in this year’s budget.
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Once implemented, commuters will be able to use their contactless debit or credit cards, smartphones and smart watches to pay for their trips.
The government has selected Cubic, the current go card operator, through a global procurement process to implement the system.
Cubic will deliver the new contactless payment system in 18 regional areas and the metropolitan south-east.
The rollout will include the introduction of an updated app platform, deployment of new readers, quicker fare gates and system equipment and new ticketing equipment.
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By GlobalDataQueensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said: “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 A$90m to get this project underway.”
Bailey added that the Queensland contactless payment system will be developed on the proven technology used in London, Chicago and Vancouver.
It will also include additional encrypted bank grade security and privacy protection for commuters.
Bailey stated: “This is a new, hi-tech system that will make it easier for all Queenslanders from Cairns to Coolangatta to catch public transport.
“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.”
Once launched, the commuters can set up an account through the dedicated app to make the payments. They can pay their fare through various payment methods including go card and major contactless credit and bank cards.
