Public transport ticketing

I AGREE with Benjamin Gertz that public transport users in south-east Queensland have been well supported by the popular go card.

However, it is also now more than 10 years old.

In that time, new digital ticketing technology has emerged that is far superior and the Palaszczuk Labor government has committed to providing that better technology for regional Queensland’s commuters and passengers.

We announced a $371 million commitment in 2018 over the next four years to design, plan, build and roll out smart ticketing to the whole state.

Smart ticketing will give customers more and easier payment options such as contactless credit and debit cards, smart phones and wearable devices which speeds up boarding and alighting.

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

It will be designed to work in Queensland’s regional urban centres as well as the southeast, giving regional Queenslanders the same system as south east Queensland for the first time.

Our public transport network covers one of the largest geographical areas on the planet, which means nearly 1300 fixed devices and more than 12,000 onboard devices will need to be replaced as the system is rolled out.

We expect to start initial trials for the new smart ticketing system this year and will use the insights we gather from customers to ensure it meets the travel needs of all Queenslanders.

One practise I hope doesn’t disappear with this digital progress is the custom of thanking the driver on the way out.

Our drivers do a wonderful job looking after our safety and long may we say ‘Thank you driver’. Mark Bailey, Transport and Main Roads Minister