WA public transport contactless payments are now being rolled out across Western Australia’s network, in what the state government calls the most significant change in 18 years.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

WA public transport contactless payments expand across state
Photo: METRONET

Passengers in Perth can now tap on and off with credit or debit cards, digital wallets and wearable devices, as reported by Rail Express.

WA public transport contactless payments in Perth and regions

Outside the capital, the same contactless payment options have been available since 8 December on public transport in Bunbury, Busselton, Kalgoorlie, Esperance and Albany. The rollout of tap-on, tap-off payments is set to continue, with Geraldton, Karratha and Port Hedland expected to be added to the system before the end of 2025.

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The Western Australian Government describes this shift as the biggest transformation for the state’s public transport system since SmartRider reusable smart cards were introduced 18 years ago. The formal launch comes after several months of successful trials on Perth buses, trains and ferries, where contactless cards, digital wallets and wearable devices were tested on public transport services.

How the SmartRider Upgrade Project changes payments?

These changes sit within the broader SmartRider Upgrade Project, which includes a range of improvements across the transport network. For passengers who choose the new WA public transport contactless payments options, fares will no longer appear on the validator or be calculated for each individual trip during the day; instead, a single daily fare is calculated and charged at the end of the day.

Concession travel rules remain the same: discount fares are still only available when paying with a SmartRider card or cash, as confirmed on the Transperth contactless payments page. Station parking is handled separately, with motorists required to use pay-by-plate machines, since existing SmartParker equipment will not accept contactless cards, digital wallets or other devices.

Benefits for visitors, tourists and occasional users

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the SmartRider Upgrade Project and WA public transport contactless payments are intended to make the network more convenient and flexible. She noted that the government is proud to keep improving the public transport system for the community and underlined that contactless options will help visitors and tourists who do not want to buy a SmartRider card for just a few days.

The new payment methods are also meant to make life easier for people who only use public transport occasionally, while supporting the goal of delivering a world-class, accessible and affordable public transport network for Western Australians, a priority also discussed in broader investment plans covered by Railway Supply.

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