Rita Saffioti flags cash payments may end at Transperth with credit card payments set to begin

Cash payments on buses and trains could soon be a thing of the past, with commuters given the green light to use a credit card to pay for public transport from the middle of next year.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti announced on Friday a pilot for the new system to ensure compatibility with SmartRiders was underway, as part of a $57.8 million project to upgrade Transperth’s payment system.

Ms Saffioti said the full rollout was expected to be finished in the first half of 2024.

Once the rollout is complete, passengers will be able to use a range of payment options, including credit cards, mobiles and smart watches.

This means riders without SmartRiders will not have to purchase a physical ticket.

But Ms Saffioti told reporters the Government was considering making Transperth services completely cashless amid complaints from bus drivers that they did not like accepting payments in notes and coins.

“Bus drivers don’t like handling cash and that’s the feedback we’ve had from the unions,” Ms Saffioti said.

“It sometimes creates points of conflict when people have big notes and there’s no proper change.

“(Ending cash payments) would be something that we would look to, but we haven’t made the final decision.”

Ms Saffioti said ending cash payments would avoid delays when there was a disagreement between a bus driver and passenger.

New validators are already being installed at Warwick, Glendalough, East Perth, Claisebrook and Perth train stations and buses in Perth’s northern suburbs, but so far only accept SmartRiders.

Ms Saffioti said SmartRiders would still be used once the new system is rolled out next year, particularly for passengers to prove they were eligible for a concession ticket.

A QR code will be located on the validators, with passengers able to provide feedback by completing a survey. Those who fill out the survey go in the running to win $200 in value added to their SmartRider.

Ms Saffioti said the modern payment system would give passengers, including visitors, a more flexible way to travel on public transport.

“Technology has come a long way and we want our public transport to keep pace by allowing people to pay with credit and debit cards, smart phones and wearable technology,” she said.

“It’s important to note that people will not be able to use other payment options during this initial testing phase, as it is just being used to ensure there is seamless integration with existing SmartRider systems.”

Passengers will also be able to use the new system to pay for parking.