Smooth sailing for ferry users as Smart Ticketing switches on

Brisbane River ferry passengers travelling on adult fares will be able to use Smart Ticketing to pay for their journey from today.

It is easier than ever to travel on Brisbane’s iconic CityCats with Smart Ticketing payment options now available to full-fare customers.

Residents and tourists alike travelling on CityCats can use their Visa, Mastercard or American Express credit card, debit card, smartphone or smartwatch to pay for their journey.

The customer trial of the technology on CityCats means full-fare public transport users can now pay for their journey with Smart Ticketing on South East Queensland (SEQ) trains, Gold Coast trams and Brisbane River ferries.

All 2600 buses and train stations in SEQ and the six Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI) ferries have Smart Ticketing technology installed with customer trials on buses to begin operator-by-operator this year.

Customers on SEQ buses and SMBI ferries should continue to pay for their journey with their go card for now, as should ferry users travelling on a concession fare.

More than 13 million trips have now been taken using Translink’s Smart Ticketing technology on SEQ trains and G:link trams.

The first trial started on G:link trams on the Gold Coast in December 2020 with SEQ train lines progressively added from June 2022, starting with the Ferny Grove line.

Customer trials on SEQ buses will be rolled out operator-by-operator this year, before the delivery of Smart Ticketing technology on the regional bus network begins.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport and Main Roads Bart Mellish:

“It is an exciting milestone to make Smart Ticketing available to adult customers on a third mode of public transport in South East Queensland.

“Whether you’re a tourist exploring Brisbane from the river or you’re a commuter getting to and from work every day, it is now easier than ever to pay for your journey on one of our iconic ferries. 

“Customers have told us they have enjoyed the ease of paying for their journey on trains and trams in the same way they might pay for a coffee with tap-and-go on their bank card, mobile phone or smartwatch.

“That same ease of payment is now available to adults catching a Brisbane River ferry.

“We acknowledged in 2018 we needed a modern ticketing solution across our public transport network. 

“Smart Ticketing has ensured our public transport network joins major cities around the world with a seamless ticketing solution.

“The system ensures Queenslanders, interstate travellers and tourists can travel our great state with ease.

“We have a vision for a modern transport network for QLD; unlike the LNP, where projects like this would simply not go ahead.

“They cut transport funding and sacked 700 RoadTek workers when last in power, they cannot be trusted to manage transport in QLD.”

Quotes attributable to Acting Head of Translink Peter Milward:

“This is a major step forward in rolling out Smart Ticketing on all public transport services across all modes. 

“We thank customers for their patience as we roll out the technology across one of the largest geographical public transport networks in the world.

“We know SEQ bus users are keen to trial the technology as well but we are taking our time to get it right and we look forward to announcing the first SEQ bus trials in due course.”

Further information: Smart Ticketing project

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Media contact: James Kleeman – 0466 620 176