Five years late and four times over initial budget: New bus ticketing system coming “soon”

Five years late and four times over its original budget, the new bus ticketing system will be here soon, the Transport Minister says.

Bus traffic in Elizabeth Street in Hobart. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE.

A new smart ticketing system promised by former Premier Will Hodgman before the 2018 state election is “a step closer” and could be delivered within 12 months or so, Transport Minister Eric Abetz says.

Five years late and more than five times over its original budget, Tasmanians will eventually be able to use the system to tap on and off buses and ferries, just like travellers interstate, Mr Abetz said.

The rollout of the new technology by Cubic Transportation Systems would deliver improved payment options including by bank card or smart device, and integrated real-time journey planning, he told reporters.

“The common ticketing proposal, which has been a government proposal now for some time, has come to fruition, in as much as we have an agreement with a supplier to deliver a concept which will transform public transport in this state,” Mr Abetz said.

Minister Eric Abetz. Minister for Transport, Eric Abetz. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“You’ll be able to pay for your bus or ferry trip with a simple tap of your preferred bank card, phone or watch.

“It won’t matter if you leave your travel card at home – you can use whatever payment method you have with you at the time, without the need for pre-loaded travel zones or top-ups.”

The common ticketing system was promised at the same time as the infamous Hobart underground bus mall — plans for which were later abandoned.

Former Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding predicted the ticketing system would be operating by 2019/20 at a cost of $7m.

It was announced again at $7.5m in 2019 and promised again before the 2021 election as a $31.5m spend. It is now costed at $35.4m.

In June 2023, then Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson announced the Department of State Growth was engaging with Cubic Transportation Systems to finalise contracting arrangements, including the rollout plan and time frames.

“Tasmania is leveraging the capabilities of Queensland, and its ticketing provider Cubic Transportation Systems, to deliver a contemporary, integrated ticketing solution,” Mr Ferguson said at the time.

Mr Abetz said on Monday Tasmania would continue to leverage the capabilities of Queensland and Cubic Transportation Systems.

“The agreement with Cubic leverages a partnership with the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, giving Tasmania access to technology normally only available to larger jurisdictions,” he said.

He said the Government will work with Cubic to configure the product for Tasmania and conduct testing before rolling it out to more than 300 public and privately-operated buses across the state as well as the Hobart to Bellerive ferry.

Metro CEO Katie Cooper again welcomed the announcement.

“The introduction of a contemporary integrated ticketing system will greatly benefit the travelling public and make it easier for everyone to use public transport,” she said.

Originally published as Five years late and four times over initial budget: New bus ticketing system coming “soon”