Smart Ticketing Now Available on Brisbane Buses and Metro Services
Smart ticketing has officially launched on Brisbane City Council buses and metro services, marking the completion of its rollout across southeast Queensland's public transport network. Passengers can now tap on and off with credit cards, debit cards, prepaid Visas and Mastercards, as well as smart devices like mobile phones and smart watches.
go cards still accepted: There are no changes to the use of go cards. You can continue using your go card as usual.
Smart ticketing does not incur any additional charges. The fare remains 50 cents, regardless of whether you pay with a go card or a credit/debit card.
It's crucial to use the same method for tapping on and off. If you tap on with your Visa credit card, tap off with the same card. Tapping on with one method and off with another will result in a $2.50 default fare.
Even if linked to the same bank account, physical credit/debit cards and their digital counterparts on smartphones/smartwatches are treated as separate payment methods. Tap on and off with the same card (physical or digital) to ensure correct fare calculation.
Mistakenly tapped off with the wrong card? Don't worry! You can request a transaction adjustment using the Translink Ticketing Assistant on the Translink website. Translink will issue a refund to the card you used for the trip if they find an incorrect charge.
Seniors will not receive free off-peak travel when using smart ticketing. They will be charged the standard 50-cent fare. However, seniors can still access free travel during off-peak hours by using a seniors go card.
The go card is nearing its end-of-life and will eventually be replaced with a new fare system. This new system will include a virtual token that can be added to your phone and topped up within your Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. Cash payments are unlikely to return, as public transport in Brisbane will remain contactless for the foreseeable future. This change, implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, has proven to be safer for bus drivers and improves boarding efficiency.
7 Comments
Matzomaster
This is fantastic news for Brisbane! Makes it easier for everyone to get around.
Karamba
This is going to make my commutes so much easier! No more long queues for top-ups.
Rotfront
This is going to be a nightmare for tourists who don't have Australian credit cards.
Karamba
So glad I won't have to worry about forgetting my go card anymore. 😉
Rotfront
The government should be focusing on improving public transport services, not introducing new technology.
Michelangelo
👏 Finally! Smart ticketing is here! So much easier than fiddling with go cards.
Donatello
This is a positive step towards a more sustainable and efficient public transport system.