URGENT UPDATE: Perth’s public transport system is on the verge of a major transformation as the Cook Government confirms a new tap’n’go payment system is set to launch with a trial beginning on Monday. This highly anticipated initiative allows commuters to use their debit or credit cards, smartphone digital wallets, and smartwatches to pay for trips across buses, trains, and ferries.
The trial will involve 150 participants and is the second phase of testing, following an initial success where 50 passengers tested the system on ferries. Transport Minister Rita Saffioti emphasized the significance of this expansion, stating, “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.”
Originally estimated to cost around $58 million, the total budget has now risen to $68 million, attributed to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Despite these challenges, the Cook Government is committed to making this system available to the entire community before the end of the year.
In addition to the tap’n’go system, upgrades are also being implemented for parking payments at train stations. The phased rollout will start on the Mandurah Line, enabling passengers to pay by card at around 100 machines across the network, supplementing the existing 4,000 SmartRider validators.
As the trial is set to begin, the project team will closely monitor the pilot across all public transport modes. This development not only improves convenience for commuters but also modernizes Perth’s transport infrastructure, aiming to enhance the overall travel experience.
Stay tuned for more updates as the trial progresses and the full rollout is scheduled to complete before December 2023. This is a pivotal moment for public transport in Perth, and commuters will soon have the technology they have long awaited.
