Perth transport: Long awaited tap’n’go system becoming closer to reality with second trial set to begin

Perth public transport users will finally be able to use their cards to pay for their trips, with the Cook Government confirming it is on track to introduce a tap’n’go system by the end of the year.

Long-awaited upgrades to Transperth’s SmartRider are taking the next step with a trial set to begin on buses, trains and ferries from Monday.

The 150-person trial is the second phase of testing after 50 passengers can tag in and out on ferries with their debit or credit cards, smartphone digital wallets and smartwatches.

The Cook Government blamed the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war for disrupting the development of systems needed for the rollout.

While it was initially thought that the upgrades would cost around $58 million, it is now expected to reach $68 million.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said a full rollout would be completed before the new year.

“With the success of early testing on the ferry network, we are ready to expand pilot testing to both buses and trains for the first time, which is a significant milestone for the project,” he said.

“The project team will closely monitor the pilot implementation on all modes of public transport, and we will continue to be on track to make these payment options available to the entire community before the end of the year.”

Changes are also being made to train station car parking payment to allow passengers to pay by card, in a phased rollout starting on the Mandurah Line.

It will be deployed across 4,000 SmartRider validators across the network, as well as approximately 100 machines across the network.