Problems with “technical complexities” have been confirmed by Translink.
“Buses are wireless systems, unlike the fixed systems we have installed on train and tram platforms,” a spokesman said.
Transport committee chair Ryan Murphy and deputy chair Danita Parry said Brisbane City Council doubted the state government’s complex smart ticketing system would be operating on buses until mid-2025.Credit: Tony Moore
“This brings different technical complexities in ensuring the new devices and supporting systems work effectively as buses travel across different environments and zones on our network.”
As buses move along bus route, commuters “tap on and off” at different mobile situations, unlike smart ticketing at fixed train stations or ferry stops.
The city council believes smart ticketing will not be in place for its buses until 2025.
The council’s transport committee chair, Ryan Murphy, said their experience showed the software was simply not working.
“The rollout of smart ticketing was meant to be finished at the end of 2022,” Murphy said.
“I mean, this has clearly been a mismanaged project from the very beginning.”
He said while the smart-ticketing hardware was in place on council buses, the software could not tell if a person was an adult, or a child or a pensioner.
“While the hardware rollout is now substantially complete across most operators, including council, the software and the backend running it and the ability to read concessions [fares] is not there.”