Perth commuters are one step closer to a fully contactless public transport system, with the State Government confirming its next phase of trials will extend tap-on payments to trains and buses.
The expanded pilot follows successful early testing on the ferry network earlier this month, where 50 passengers trialled the new card validators. This next stage will involve more than 150 participants testing credit and debit cards, digital wallets, smartwatches, and other wearable devices on new validators installed across the network.
Running for four weeks, the trial will test the system’s readiness across all modes of public transport before it becomes available to the broader public later this year. The Public Transport Authority said the pilot will ensure seamless integration between existing SmartRider infrastructure and the new contactless technology.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the expansion marks a key milestone for the SmartRider Upgrade Project.
“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,” Ms Saffioti said. “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.”
The rollout will also extend to station parking. From Sunday, November 3rd, passengers will be able to pay for parking using a card or wearable device via the Pay-By-Plate system, starting on the Mandurah Line. Around 100 Pay-By-Plate machines are expected to be upgraded across the network before year-end.
The upgrades come as part of the government’s broader push to improve convenience and accessibility for commuters. Combined with the one-zone fare structure coming into effect on January 1st, Ms Saffioti said Perth’s public transport system is entering “an incredibly exciting chapter.”
Since its launch in 2007, SmartRider has been recognised internationally as one of the most effective cashless ticketing systems.
The current upgrade program includes replacing more than 4,000 validators across the bus, train, and ferry network, as well as introducing new SmartRider Hubs and updated parking machines that accept credit and debit cards.
