RAIL - Back On Track Forum

I rode a bus with a Smart Ticketing reader on the Gold Coast today (Kinetic). First time I've seen one in the wild. It had three readers: one next to the driver, one on a new pole installed in the left side luggage rack, and one next to the rear door.

I've seen various configurations on the same type of BCC bus now, including the traditional 2 readers at each door on a standard rigid (with a single leaf side door). 

I suspect there may be a focus on getting the driver console and at least one reader at the side door installed, with the others to be backfilled when time / resources permit.

I'm on a BCC bus right now and it's got the new readers 

New readers on Route 66

https://photos.app.goo.gl/KfG7AkFbuk6bSvzv7

Quote from: verbatim9 on September 13, 2023, 11:32:08 AMNew readers on Route 66

Been on route 66 for a week or two now. Seems like the majority, if not all, of the biartic's running on the 66 route have had them installed.

Are there any buses that are using smart ticketing (i.e. accepting Visa/MC/AmEX/mobile payments) yet?

^^ The Clarks ones don't yet.

I don't believe any of them are.  I wouldn't be surprised if the gear is rolled out in full across all buses and ferries first, and enabled on ferries before buses.

Hopefully the whole shebang is set up and rolled out (including regional buses) by end of next year.  I'd also like to see something equivalent to Opal Pay available for commuter type ferries (eg Stradbroke Island + Magnetic Island) and for the Coochiemudlo ferry to be part of the SEQ integrated ticketing system as well.

I was recently in Sydney and linked my credit card to my Opal in their App  although you need to tap on with your credit card first before you can link it. It also takes overnight to view your travel history when touching on and off with your linked CC in you phone or wearable device. I assume the new Translink App will have a similar functionality. I also like how it counts the number of trips before you reach your weekly travel reward. This being a cap or half price...

The smart ticketing roll out continues with the 333 inbound today.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/coXtHcVZnUFsTkBy5

Was in a 212 inbound this morning to Cultural Centre. The lovely 2 hourly Sunday service.

2 at front and 1 or maybe 2 at the Back door Backdoor didn't beep so was focused on the reader to confirm tag off.

The audio beep has been working for the ones I touched on and off at

All the BCC buses that I boarded had two readers at each door as well.

I was just on an outbound 444 today with an S depot number. The bus had two new readers for the front door and the middle door which was single leaf had only one new reader. Thus, three in total instead of 4 previously.

Looks like they are upgrading all the Carina depot buses with the new smart ticketing readers. Also looks like single leaf rear doors are just receiving one reader.

Quote from: verbatim9 on September 24, 2023, 14:07:26 PMLooks like they are upgrading all the Carina depot buses with the new smart ticketing readers. Also looks like single leaf rear doors are just receiving one reader.

I think every depot is getting them now. I've seen them in a bus from every depot but Garden City, and that's probably because I rarely see Garden City busses where I travel.

I haven't noticed any new readers installed on Mt Gravatt, Toowong, Willawong depot buses as yet either just Eagle farm, Sherwood and Carina.

Also I didn't realise until last week that there is only one reader for single leaf rear doors now instead of two.

I reckon they are likely to get the bulk of the readers installed these school holidays and the tap n go payment feature activated in late November, early December if not before.

Does anyone have any information regarding the Smart Ticketing App? Will it be released in time for the bus trials?

Looks like smart ticketing is getting rolled out on ferries now as well.

Updated for buses too

Next year now? I was expecting mid December this year for activation of smart ticketing on buses, unless he is referring to the bigger picture?

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSNUuaeHA/

I wonder what happened to the proposed Translink card as well?

Quote from: verbatim9 on November 03, 2023, 17:44:20 PMUpdated for buses too

Translink really don't know how to protect their own brand. Constantly undermining it by reminding people that its not their buses but they belong to the operators.  The operators should should be next to undeterminable if at all

https://x.com/tamhus8/status/1729038956598321595?s=20

I hopped on a 375 today and it still had the old readers. I think they still have a way to go before turning on contactless payments on buses here in Brisbane unfortunately.

Queensland Parliament

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2023/1417-2023.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 1417
Asked on 14 November 2023

DR M ROBINSON ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS AND MINISTER
FOR DIGITAL SERVICES (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

With reference to the TransLink website which states that the new Smart Ticketing website and
app will be available 'soon' and given that the website has been saying since at least October
2022 that the Smart Ticketing website and app will be available 'soon'—
Will the Minister advise when the new app and website will be available to all TransLink
customers?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Oodgeroo for the question.

The Palaszczuk Government's $371 million investment in Smart Ticketing is being rolled out
across Queensland's rail, buses and ferries. The system is bringing 18 different payment systems
across the regional bus network together into a single state-wide system, allowing commuters to
pay their fare with their debit or credit cards, or even their smart phone or smart watch.
The Smart Ticketing project is being delivered in a staged approach, with new features and
products made available to customers following a rigorous process of design, development and
testing to ensure they meet high standards of accessibility, functionality, reliability, privacy and
security.

The new Smart Ticketing website and app are currently in the development stage and, once
complete, will progress into testing and user trials prior to public launch.
A proposed date for release to all public transport customers will be determined following
completion of successful testing and trials.

Quote from: ozbob on November 28, 2023, 00:01:43 AMhttps://x.com/tamhus8/status/1729038956598321595?s=20

The placement seems to vary bus by bus in BCC Land.  I have seen several where the front reader is not obstructed.

Every side door installation I have seen anywhere in SEQ involves the reader surface being perfectly vertical, which is a pain.

How very Translink

All ferries now have the new smart ticketing readers installed.

Abc News ---> Smart ticketing rollout to South East Queensland buses pushed back to 2024

QuoteMore than 2,490 of the 2,584 buses in south-east Queensland have had the smart ticketing on-board payment devices installed,

ABC News --> Smart ticketing rollout to South East Queensland buses pushed back to 2024

QuoteThe $371 million rollout of smart ticketing on South East Queensland's public transport network has been hit with delays, with bus commuters facing an even longer wait for the new payment system.

Public transport operator Translink has confirmed smart ticketing is now expected to begin on buses this year, despite the state government previously suggesting it would be up and running by 2023.

The new technology allows commuters to tap on and off their public transport service with a credit or debit card, or a smart device such as a mobile phone – instead of with a go card.

The technology has already been deployed on trains and trams, but it is yet to be operational on buses and ferries.

A Translink spokesperson said trials on buses would begin this year, but would not say what month the payment system would likely be activated.

According to Translink, the delay has been caused by international supply chain issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"More than 2,490 of the 2,584 buses in south-east Queensland have had the smart ticketing on-board payment devices installed, with customers able to continue using their go card," they said. ...

I wonder what the delay is. The readers are basically everywhere now and it's not like the back end systems are different just because it's a bus.

Maybe something related to offline operations? Gotta make sure you still get that $3 from someone getting on a crap milk run in a black spot

Quote from: AnonymouslyBad on January 25, 2024, 22:54:43 PMI wonder what the delay is. The readers are basically everywhere now and it's not like the back end systems are different just because it's a bus.

Maybe something related to offline operations? Gotta make sure you still get that $3 from someone getting on a crap milk run in a black spot

There's still some BCC busses floating around without the new readers. A lot of the Willawong depot from my experience. They are probably waiting until it's installed on every bus, which makes sense. Not so sure about the new website and app though. Development troubles, or are they just waiting for the bus rollout? Who knows.

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/99675

Smart Ticketing hits over 11 million trips on trains and trams

9th February 2024

Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services
The Honourable Bart Mellish

. Train and tram users in South East Queensland have taken more than 11 million trips using the Smart Ticketing payment options.

. Smart Ticketing enables adult customers to pay for their travel using their credit card, debit card, smartphone, or smart watch.

. The installation of Smart Ticketing equipment is complete on all South East Queensland buses, Brisbane City Council's ferry fleet, including CityCats, and Southern Moreton Bay Island ferries.

. Customers should continue to use their go card on South East Queensland bus and ferry services until Smart Ticketing payment trials commence.
Over 11 million trips have been taken by South East Queensland (SEQ) tram and train customers as they embrace the flexibility and convenience of the Smart Ticketing payment options.

Translink's $371 million world-class Smart Ticketing system allows adult customers to pay for public transport with their credit card, debit card, smartphone, or smart watch.

In a major milestone all 2600 buses in SEQ, Brisbane City Council's (BCC) 30 ferries, including CityCats, and six Southern Moreton Bay Island (SMBI) ferries have had the Smart Ticketing on-board payment devices installed.

Planned customer trials are to commence on the BCC ferries in the first half of 2024.

There are 13 bus operators in SEQ and trials on buses as well as the SMBI ferries are expected to commence operator-by- operator shortly after the BCC ferries trial starts.

For now, customers should continue using their go card on SEQ buses and ferries installed with the new Smart Ticketing devices. Customers will be informed when trials of the new payment methods begin.

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

"The uptake of Smart Ticketing by Queenslanders on our trains and trams has been outstanding and notching 11 million trips is testament to the convenience of this world-class technology.

"Train and tram users are telling us they are enjoying being able to turn up at their station and tap on with their debit card, credit card, smartphone, or smart watch in the same way they might pay for their coffee.

"Customers who would like to continue using their go card will be able to do so with Smart Ticketing, but this is about providing customers with more options – making it easier to plan and pay for your journey.

"The installation of Smart Ticketing devices on the iconic Brisbane River and Southern Moreton Bay Island ferries, and all South East Queensland buses is another important step forward.

"For adult Queenslanders and visitors to our beautiful state who travel around our city on the Brisbane River and bus network, Smart Ticketing will mean easier and more convenient ways to plan, catch and pay for your ride once the trial begins."

Quotes attributable to Acting Head of Translink Peter Milward:

"We are committed to ensuring the technology is thoroughly tested in a staged rollout to ensure a successful integration on the public transport network.

"We know there are many South East Queensland bus and ferry users who are eager to use the new payment methods, but we ask customers for patience and to continue using their go card for now while we thoroughly test this new technology."

It seems that they have fitted all the buses and ferries with the new readers. The switch-on for debit and credit cards can't be too far away now.

https://translink.com.au/about-translink/projects-and-initiatives/smart-ticketing/bus-ferry

Queensland buses and ferries introduce new pay terminals for passengers | 7 News Australia

Couriermail --> TransLink smart ticketing failings reported four years since first machine rolled out $

QuoteSouth East Queensland's game-changing $371m public transport smart ticketing service is still not fully functional four years after the first machines were rolled out, amid claims of faulty readers and overcharging and revelations of major technological issues.

Ageing systems, the global microchip shortage and a patchwork of service providers has been blamed for the beleaguered rollout.

The government has revealed there is still no firm timeline on when concession card holders will be able to tap on and off trains, buses or ferries using a credit card or smartphone, with the functionality still "to be determined".

It comes as frustrated public transport users complain about being overcharged and of faulty readers ahead of the machines being progressively switched on across the ferry and bus network before July.

The $371m smart ticketing program was announced in mid-2018 with the promise of being delivered in four years. ...

Does anyone reckon they will activate smart ticketing on ferries by Easter. It would be good, especially for the tourists during the holiday period.

Quote from: verbatim9 on March 21, 2024, 19:08:45 PMDoes anyone reckon they will activate smart ticketing on ferries by Easter. It would be good, especially for the tourists during the holiday period.

Seems unlikely, and is honestly probably one of the worst times to activate it.

Hopped on a bus this arvo which didn't have the GoCard Only sticker on the ticketing machines. Also hopped on one this morning which didn't have the GoCard Only stickers at the front door but did at the back. Possibly getting ready to activate on BCC buses? I'm not convinced since I would have thought BCC would be the last operator to have it switched on (since it's the largest and most complicated). Perhaps they have just run out of the stickers?

Here's an image of the ticketing machine for those curious. (New Translink card design on the far right?)

Could be next week along with ferries? Then regional SEQ turned on after that?

^^Also noticed that they are marketing the new Translink card rather than the Go Card as well.

This has been on the cards for a while, replacing the Go card brand. Apparently, people will be able to use this card Qld wide where there are smart card readers available.

Re: Translink Card - I wonder if they are partnering / co branding with Master Card or Visa Card, so you can use it as a debit card as well? The legislation was changed a while back to allow this to happen.