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18 April, 2026

Contactless payment now available on local buses

Contactless payments are now available on nearly 350 fare-paying buses across 47 bus networks – including those based in Mittagong, Goulburn and Crookwell.

By Stuart Carless

There has been a strong uptake of the tap and go payment system across rural and regional areas. Supplied.
There has been a strong uptake of the tap and go payment system across rural and regional areas. Supplied.
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Contactless payments are now available on nearly 350 fare-paying buses across 47 bus networks – including those based in Mittagong, Goulburn and Crookwell.

The tap and go payment system means commuters can leave their wallet at home, with the new technology accepting payments from phones and smartwatches as well as credit and debit cards.

The program has been delivered in just 10 months, from its launch in Wagga Wagga in July 2025 to completion in Queanbeyan earlier this month.

On the buses where Transport’s contactless ticketing technology has been installed, in total more than 140,000 tickets have been purchased, accounting for about 40 per cent of journeys.

The State Government has partnered with 28 bus operators, ranging from small, single vehicle, family run businesses to larger multi-depot companies to deliver this upgrade, as well as software and hardware partners TransportMe and Littlepay.

The Contactless Ticketing Program does not include dedicated school services where students mostly use pre-paid bus passes or NSW TrainLink long-distance coach services where tickets are pre-paid.

Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said the Minns Government had listened to regional communities who wanted simple, modern ways to pay for their bus trips.

Mrs Aitchison said there had been “strong uptake” where the technology had been introduced.

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“Of course, cash is still available for those who’d like to use it, but this is an important change, giving regional communities more choice and making it easier to catch the bus,” she said.

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