Plans are in place to roll out tap-and-go payment system for train, tram and bus services in the New Year.

The South Australian Department of Transport is seeking an operator to trial tap-and-go payments. This initiative supports plans to roll out services across train, tram and bus services in 2017.

This initiative, when fully operational, will enable passengers to tap their mobile phones as they board transport services. Presently, travellers purchase paper tickets or use their plastic Metrocard passes.

The South Australian tap-and-go plan follows on from a similar trial and roll-out in NSW. Internationally, mobile phones are being used to buy tickets in countries including the UK and Germany.

Secure and reliable

South Australian Minister for Transport, Stephen Mullighan, said this initiative is being developed around security and reliability.

“We think this will be one more convenient option for people to pay for public transport, perhaps if they don’t want to use cash or if they haven’t got their Adelaide Metrocard with them.”

Before full-scale roll-out, the security of payments needs to be assured, he said. “You should also always keep your personal belongings safe and secure around you. This would be the same warning that we would send out if people start using this technology on public transport.”

The administration expects smartphone fare payments to kick off in the New Year.

In other news, this August, NSW commuters became the first nationally to pay for government services using an Android smartphone. This incorporates Service NSW, the first agency to adopt Google’s cashless Android Pay service.

Dominic Perrottet, Minister for Finance, Services and Property, said a contactless payment service is available to Android users across all Service NSW centres. This offers customers with another convenient payment option.

“Around 90 per cent of people now have a mobile phone, and with the popularity of Android phones it makes sense for us to provide this quick, efficient option for our customers,” Perrottet said.

Android Pay is a mobile wallet that stores credit cards, debit cards and loyalty cards on compatible Android smartphones. The service is available to customers who bank with a growing number of participating banks and credit unions.