Contactless ticketing has now been rolled out across hundreds of regional and rural bus services in New South Wales, marking a major milestone in the state’s push to modernise public transport payments.
On April 16, the Minns government announced that tap-and-go payments are now available on nearly 350 fare-paying buses across 47 local bus networks, bringing regional services closer to the functionality long available in metropolitan areas.
The upgrade allows passengers to pay using credit or debit cards, smartphones and smartwatches, removing the need for cash or dedicated transport cards on participating services.
Delivered in just 10 months, the program launched in Wagga Wagga in July 2025 and reached completion in Queanbeyan earlier this month, reflecting a rapid deployment across a highly fragmented regional bus network.
Early uptake figures suggest strong demand for the new system, with more than 140,000 contactless transactions recorded, accounting for around 40 per cent of journeys on equipped services.
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In total, 28 bus operators partnered with the NSW government to implement the system, alongside technology providers TransportMe and Littlepay.
Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison says the program responds directly to feedback from regional communities seeking simpler ways to use public transport.
“The Minns government has listened to regional communities who told us they wanted simple, modern ways to pay for their bus trips,” Aitchison says.
“We’ve rolled this program out right across rural and regional NSW, bringing these services in line with what city commuters have had for years.”
The rollout spans a wide geographic footprint, covering regional centres including Dubbo, Orange, Tamworth, Lismore and Coffs Harbour, as well as smaller communities such as Junee, Crookwell and Woodenbong, as shown in the network list on page 2 of the release.
While the system expands payment flexibility, it does not extend to dedicated school services or long-distance NSW TrainLink coach routes, where pre-paid ticketing remains standard.
Importantly, cash payments will continue to be accepted, ensuring accessibility for passengers who prefer traditional options.
Aitchison says the introduction of contactless public transport is expected to support higher patronage by reducing friction for occasional users and visitors.
“We’ve seen strong uptake where this technology has been introduced, with 40 per cent of commuters choosing to tap and go,” she says.
“We know that making buses easier to use can help boost patronage and give families the option to leave the car at home, saving on fuel and everyday costs.”
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