 | |
| Location | Perth, Western Australia |
|---|---|
| Launched | 2007 |
| Manager | Public Transport Authority |
| Currency | AUD ($256 maximum load) |
| Credit expiry | Never |
| Auto recharge | Autoload |
| Website | transperth.wa.gov.au |
 | This section needs to be updated. The reason given is: SmartRider Upgrade Project has been announced with testing expected to commence late 2023.. (January 2024) |
SmartRider is the contactless electronic ticketing system of the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia. The system uses RFID smartcard technology to process public transport fares across public bus, train, and ferry services.[1]
The system is widely used across the Transperth public transport network in metropolitan Perth, as well as regional town bus services in TransAlbany, TransBunbury, TransBusselton, TransEsperance, TransGeraldton, TransHedland, TransGoldfields, TransKarratha, and TransCarnarvon in Western Australian regional centres.[2][3] SmartRider is not used for ticketing on Transwa train and coach services but can be recognized as proof of entitlement to concession fares, including for coach travel on South West Coach Lines.[2][4]
The SmartRider is a credit card-sized smartcard incorporating a microchip and internal aerial, allowing the smartcard to communicate with processors located at Transperth railway stations, on Transperth ferries, and on Transperth and regional town bus services. The microchip enables value to be loaded onto the card, as well as allowing the journey details to be recorded and the appropriate fare deducted from the stored value on the card.
The SmartRider system is designed so that passengers can "tag on" and "tag off" any services whenever they travel through the public transport network. As of 2020–21, 78.9% of all fare-paying boardings were made using a SmartRider.
In 2018, the WA government announced that $34 million was set aside in the state budget to replace and update SmartRider with a newer system.[5] The new system was anticipated to go live in 2021, with the government considering contactless credit card and mobile payments integration.[6]
The 2021-22 State Budget also allocated $15 million to upgrade SmartRider as part of an overall $57.8 million system revamp, which will include the option for commuters to tag on to the network using their mobile phone or credit card – a key McGowan Government 2021 election commitment.
More than 4200 new SmartRider machines and new Ticket Vending Machines will be installed, with the new payment technology now expected to roll out across the network from 2023.[7] This will require existing cards to be swapped with ones incorporating more advanced encryption than the present MIFARE Classic technology.[8][6]
- ^ "SmartRider: SmartRider is a reusable smart card, which allows easy, hassle-free travel on Transperth services". Transperth. Archived from the original on 25 May 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
- ^ a b "Regional Services". Transperth. Archived from the original on 15 July 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
- ^ "Carnarvon Fares Guide.pdf" (PDF). Public Transport Authority. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 July 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
- ^ "Tickets & Fares". southwestcoachlines.com.au. 15 June 2020. Archived from the original on 13 August 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
- ^ Hastie, Hamish (10 May 2018). "WA Budget: winners and losers". WAtoday. Archived from the original on 9 September 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
- ^ a b Coyne, Allie (11 September 2017). "WA govt wants smartphone, card payments for SmartRider system". iTnews. NextMedia. Archived from the original on 9 September 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018.
- ^ "Golden ticket to ride with public transport competition launched". Media Statements. Government of Western Australia. 12 September 2021. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
- ^ Hastie, Hamish (14 May 2018). "Mobile payments on the cards for new SmartRider system". WAtoday. Archived from the original on 9 September 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2018.