NFC payment - option for tourists.

[Gazza]

Many new smartphones being released are equipped with an NFC chip (Near field communications).
They can speak to things like PT smartcard readers and paywave/paypass terminals just like the current cards can.

I think if paper tickets were to go a good solution for a lot of tourists/infrequent (And of course normal commuters) would be to provide NFC payment as an alternative to a plastic go card.

Basically, every bus stop, ticket machine etc etc would have a QR code (Thats Quick Response Code, not Queensland Rail Code lol) to download a GoCard app. Also have it prominently on the TL websites so tourists can download it ahead of time, and posters at the airport  etc.

Have the app on Android, iOS, Blackberry and Windows Phone and that is everyone covered.

And when you arrive, just touch your phone and go!

[ozbob]

QR Code - a type of matrix barcode

[Golliwog]

Many new smartphones being released are equipped with an NFC chip (Near field communications).
They can speak to things like PT smartcard readers and paywave/paypass terminals just like the current cards can.

I think if paper tickets were to go a good solution for a lot of tourists/infrequent (And of course normal commuters) would be to provide NFC payment as an alternative to a plastic go card.

Basically, every bus stop, ticket machine etc etc would have a QR code (Thats Quick Response Code, not Queensland Rail Code lol) to download a GoCard app. Also have it prominently on the TL websites so tourists can download it ahead of time, and posters at the airport  etc.

Have the app on Android, iOS, Blackberry and Windows Phone and that is everyone covered.

And when you arrive, just touch your phone and go!

Falls Creek Ski Resort actually has NFC sticker things instead of QR codes around the place. Touch your phone and it loads one of their website pages for you.

Given the way many banks are going with smart phone payment apps (Using Commbank Kaching I can pay money to a friend via facebook or mobile number) I think another option would be to allow mobile top-ups. Instead of having to find a go card store or machine, if you're hard pressed you can just touch your go card to your phone and go.

[SurfRail]

This reminds me - one of my secret sauces told me a few weeks ago that QR codes are coming for our bus stops etc soon.  No idea when or on what scale.

[Golliwog]

This reminds me - one of my secret sauces told me a few weeks ago that QR codes are coming for our bus stops etc soon.  No idea when or on what scale.

Hmmm, I suppose that makes sense if they're going to bring out the Real Time stuff across the network.

RTT, I see your point but I guess that there's still a number of things I'd prefer to do in person. Not necessarily because I don't trust the technology, but more because I don't trust myself not to stuff it up.

[Derwan]

iPhones don't have NFC.

[Gazza]

^I know, thats what makes the iPhone 5 such a joke.

Doesn't mean people who use phones from other more advanced manufacturers should miss out though.

[HappyTrainGuy]

This reminds me - one of my secret sauces told me a few weeks ago that QR codes are coming for our bus stops etc soon.  No idea when or on what scale.

Knowing my local bus stop it will be covered in black nikko pretty quickly.

[Derwan]

^I know, thats what makes the iPhone 5 such a joke.

Doesn't mean people who use phones from other more advanced manufacturers should miss out though.

Only some android phones have NFC. Arguments aside, it's pointless introducing technology that's only on a minority of phones.

[SurfRail]

This reminds me - one of my secret sauces told me a few weeks ago that QR codes are coming for our bus stops etc soon.  No idea when or on what scale.

Knowing my local bus stop it will be covered in black nikko pretty quickly.

Probably.  The best and easiest way is to just have a separate plate on the bus stop sign pole with a number code (like they now do in Melbourne) - if you are worried about vandalism or legibility, you just raise the numbers like a rego plate, maybe put in braille as well.

[Gazza]

^I know, thats what makes the iPhone 5 such a joke.

Doesn't mean people who use phones from other more advanced manufacturers should miss out though.

Only some android phones have NFC. Arguments aside, it's pointless introducing technology that's only on a minority of phones.

But in a couple of years time (ie. the amount of time TL would probably take to do implement) many more people will have it.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Problem I had with the QR codes was niko over the code. It wouldn't be a problem for every stop but there are wankers out there that scribbe over everything. I had a good old laugh last year when a mate was in Logan. He went to check the time of the next bus only to find someone had coloured in the whole timetable sign in blue nikko except for the Saturday 1.33pm service 

[ozbob]

Problem I had with the QR codes was niko over the code. It wouldn't be a problem for every stop but there are wankers out there that scribbe over everything. I had a good old laugh last year when a mate was in Logan. He went to check the time of the next bus only to find someone had coloured in the whole timetable sign in blue nikko except for the Saturday 1.33pm service 

Yes, it is hard to find readable timetables around most stops at Goodna and environs too ...

[Golliwog]

iPhones don't have NFC.

You can get an iCarte or something for around $50 which is just like an iPhone case except it has an nfc chip inn it like the Samsung galaxy s3 and others. I really didn't get why it wasn't in the iPhone 5...

Sure, not many things these days use it. But when they first case up with blue tooth, how many things could you use that with? Now most New cars come with blue tooth adaptors which will try to connect to most phones when they start up.

[HappyTrainGuy]

iphones have bluetooth. Can't do much with them compared to other phones.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

Payments on tap as apps trump cards http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/payments-on-tap-as-apps-trump-cards-20130106-2cb3l.html ... via @smh