Sydney extends contactless payments to buses

New South Wales Transportation Minister Andrew Constance took advantage of the weekend to announce that the state government would extend its no-touch public transit options to Sydney buses.

Speaking in Sydney on Sunday, the minister said his country would allow buses to accept payments via the PayPbad or PayWave function on debit or credit cards, including smartphones and all smart devices with the NFC payment functionality. – instead of using an Opal card.

The Opal Card requires commuters to use their services from a bus, train, light rail and ferry, and to leave when they reach their final destination through services operating in Sydney and many suburbs.

The function was made available on the Sydney train network and on any Opal NSW Train Link service in November.

She followed the state government, along with Cubic Transportation Systems, which launched a trial in July 2017, where commuters were using a MasterCard or a mobile wallet to operate some ferry services in Sydney.

The test was then extended to Visa and American Express cardholders in March 2018, allowing the use of all three types of cards on all ferries and a light rail service.

Also on Sunday, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia – which has developed the core payment infrastructure – announced that it will extend the benefits of Opal users to those who use their own account.

Daily, weekly and Sunday hats are now aligned with Opal hats; the weekly travel reward of a half-price trip after eight trips can now be earned; Discounts on Opal transfers will be applied. and off-peak prices for train travel will also be extended to those who do not use an Opal card.

"What used to be a transit gate is now essentially a payment terminal, which is another example of how technology is enabling faster and more convenient experiences for the community and smarter, more connected cities", said Clive Van Horen, general manager of solutions for corporate customers of the CBA. m said

Addressing the Sydney Institute earlier this month, Constance said the expansion of "tap-and-go" was underway.

"Customers are already using their credit cards and electronic devices to operate trains, ferries and light rail, and we are about to extend the technology to the buses," Constance said at the same time. time.

"It's all about making travel easier and faster for customers, and I'm sure we'll see new forms, frictionless transportation payments, not too far away."

One idea he mentioned is the "frictionless journey", which would give commuters an experience comparable to that of the Amazon.

"Similar to Amazon's troubleshooting technology in stores where customers scan their phones at the door, grab the items they want, exit immediately, and their account is automatically debited," Constance said.

"In the transportation industry, we use facial recognition technology to scan customers who have opted for and linked their Opal account, so that no more obstacles will be satisfied with a smooth trip."

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