The NSW Government has partnered with 28 bus operators and software and hardware partners, TransportMe and Littlepay, to roll out contactless payments on nearly 350 fare-paying buses across 47 rural and regional bus networks.
The program has been delivered in 10 months, from its launch in Wagga Wagga in July last year to completion in Queanbeyan earlier this month.
“The Minns Labor Government has listened to regional communities who told us they wanted simple, modern ways to pay for their bus trips,” said Minister for Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison.
“We’ve rolled this program out right across rural and regional NSW, bringing these services in line with what city commuters have had for years.
“We’ve seen strong uptake where this technology has been introduced, with 40% of commuters choosing to tap and go.
“We know that making buses easier to use can help boost patronage and give families the option to leave the car at home, saving on fuel and everyday costs.
“Of course, cash is still available for those who’d like to use it, but this is an important change, giving regional communities more choice and making it easier to catch the bus.”
The Contactless Ticketing Program does not include dedicated school services where students mostly use pre-paid bus passes or NSW TrainLink long distance coach services where tickets are pre-paid.
