Goodbye Go Cards: Smart Ticketing Has Been Rolled Out Across Southeast Queensland's Public Transport Network
Your payment options on buses, trains and ferries now include credit cards, debit cards, smartphones and smartwatches.
If you catch public transport in southeast Queensland, then you'll know this feeling: in your rush to get out of the house, you've made it all the way to the bus, train, CityCat, ferry or tram without your Go Card. While gone are the days when you'd be slugged paper ticketing prices for forgetting your pivotal piece of plastic — thanks to the state's permanent 50-cent fares, which apply no matter how you're paying — it's still an annoying situation. Thankfully, that scenario is now a thing of the past.
When the Sunshine State's Go Cards were introduced, they were billed as a quicker, easier way to pay for public transport — but if you've ever been in the above circumstances, had trouble topping up or been wrongly penalised for not touching off when you did, then you probably disagree. In fact, you've likely been dreaming of the day when you won't need a Go Card. Good news: ditching it is now a reality.
Smart ticketing has been rolled out across SEQ's public transport network. If this feels like an 'about time' moment, that's because it is. Back in 2018, it was revealed that the Queensland Government was planning to trial and implement electronic payment methods for public transport. Then, in 2020, the first such test got underway on the Gold Coast. In 2022, the smart-ticketing technology was given a run on Queensland Rail services on the Ferny Grove line.
Developments have been made since, but clearly it's been a lengthy journey to get to this point. The last piece of the puzzle across SEQ: Brisbane City Council's buses joining the system, which has now happened after the 17 other operators across the region had already done so.
So, since Monday, March 24, 2025, you can now pay for your bus, train, CityCat, ferry and tram ticket using your smartphone; Visa, MasterCard or AMEX credit or debit card; or smart watch. All you need to do is tap on and off using your card or device. If you're keen to retain your Go Card, you can for now. In the future, the smart ticketing system will score its own new card, however.
Even before the rollout was completed, more than 25 percent of customers on services with smart ticketing were already using it.
Kgbo via Wikimedia Commons
Kgbo via Wikimedia Commons
Smart ticketing has been rolled out across the southeast Queensland bus, train, ferry and tram public transport network. For further details, head to the Translink website.
