Townsville public transport: TransLink confirms cashless payments by end of 2023

It’s being increasingly ditched by Queensland commuters for other cashless options, and now the GoCard will never be rolled out in Townsville. Vote in our poll.

Townsville’s bus network won’t receive smart ticketing upgrades until potentially the end of 2023. File picture.

Townsville commuters could be waiting another year or more to use anything other than paper tickets on buses.

And TransLink’s longrunning cashless card option — the GoCard — will never be rolled out locally, with the state government’s $371m smart ticketing system to supersede it.

The system allows commuters to tap on and off with their smartphone, smart watch or credit card, and is being gradually rolled out on Brisbane’s rail network.

Last week, the state government announced the Doomben and Shorncliffe train lines as the latest routes to receive the upgrades.

A TransLink spokesman said smart ticketing infrastructure would be in place statewide by the end of 2023, including on Townsville’s public transport network.

Paper tickets are set to remain the only option to use on Townsville’s bus network. File picture.

However, a specific date for a local rollout is yet to be confirmed.

“Smart Ticketing is being progressively rolled out across Queensland public transport networks with regional trials of bus equipment already underway on regional urban bus services, including in Innisfail and Bowen,” the spokesman said.

“The Smart Ticketing rollout on the heavy rail network is underway and will be completed before the end of the year before focus turns to the state’s bus network.

“We will continue to keep customers updated as we roll out Smart Ticketing in new regions.”

Paper tickets are the only form of ticketing on Townsville’s public transport network, with single trip, daily and weekly options.

The GoCard, which offers at least 30 per cent cheaper fares, has never been introduced in the region and can only be used for travel in Brisbane, Ipswich, Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast.

GoCards will be superseded by the smart ticketing system in Townsville. File picture.

TransLink’s spokesman said GoCards would not be made available in Townsville in the near future, saying the introduction of new fares and zones on the local bus network in September “paves the way for the future statewide rollout of smart ticketing.”

When asked about the possible addition of Townsville ferries to its network coverage, the spokesman said ferry services were “currently out of scope” for smart ticketing.

A spokesman for Townsville bus operators Kinetic said it was looking forward to the smart ticketing system’s eventual rollout.

“We work closely with Translink to improve passenger outcomes and smart ticketing will provide a convenient option for locals and visitors,” the spokesman said.

Originally published as Townsville public transport: TransLink confirms cashless payments by end of 2023