- Second phase of the contactless payment trial on Perth's public transport network to expand across trains, buses, and ferries from Monday
- More than 150 eligible participants selected for the all-modes trial
- Testing will ensure readiness before wider rollout to all passengers by the end of the year
- The phased rollout of contactless payments at Pay-By-Plate parking locations will begin on 3 November to all passengers
Following the success of early trials, the State Government has today confirmed pilot testing of contactless payments will be expanded to include trains and buses for the first time.
More than 150 passengers have been selected for the trial to test their credit or debit card, as well as smart phone digital wallets, smart watches, and other wearable devices on new card validators installed across the network.
This expanded trial is a major step forward following initial trials earlier this month, which saw 50 eligible participants test contactless payment options on new card validators on Transperth's ferries.
The four-week trial on buses, trains and ferries will commence tomorrow and will ensure the readiness of new contactless payment methods before its planned opening to all passengers before the end of the year.
The government also confirmed that from 3 November, a phased rollout will begin allowing passengers to pay for parking with their credit, debit or other wearable device at stations where cash is currently accepted using the Pay-By-Plate option.
The phased rollout will begin on the Mandurah Line with new payment options expected to be rolled out to around 100 Pay-By-Plate machines across the network before the end of the year.
It builds on the WA Government's vision to deliver world-class public transport and quality infrastructure across the State.
SmartRider has been considered one of the most effective cashless public transport ticketingsystems in the world since its introduction to the Transperth network in 2007.
As part of the SmartRider Upgrade Project, contactless payments will give passengers and visitors another easy and convenient way to travel on the Public Transport Authority's world-class public transport network.
The SmartRider Upgrade Project has included:
- the replacement of more than 4,000 SmartRider validators across the bus, train, and ferry network;
- the replacement of all Add Value Machines with new 'SmartRider Hubs'; and
- Pay-By-Plate parking machines upgraded to accept debit and credit cards.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"With the success of early testing on the ferry network, we're now ready to expand pilot testing to both buses and trains for the first time, which is a major milestone for the project.
"The project team will be closely monitoring the pilot across all public transport modes, and we remain on track to have these payment options available to the entire community before the end of the year.
"With new payment options and the introduction of one zone fare from 1 January, we're embarking on an incredibly exciting chapter for public transport in Western Australia."
