Translink says the exciting new bus technology is set to help Queensland passengers access more bus services around the state
Operator Translink says passengers can now easily access up-to-date travel information with just a tap of their smartphone at every one of Queensland’s 15,500 urban bus stops.
Translink has completed the rollout of Near Field Communications (NFC) technology everywhere Queenslanders catch an urban bus.
NFC uses a tag installed at bus stops that allows customers to tap their smartphone device which takes them straight to a web page for that bus stop on the Translink website and provides stop, route, timetable, service disruption and real-time information.
Head of Translink Sally Stannard says the completion was a milestone moment that what would improve the public transport experience for Queenslanders and visitors.
“Implementing NFC at bus stops has made it easier than ever to access stop-specific information like when the next bus is due, services arriving and any issues affecting bus services,” Stannard says.
“Completion of the project means Queenslanders can quickly access up-to-date information at urban bus stops with just a tap of their smartphone.
“As we rolled out NFC progressively across the state, Queenslanders began embracing the technology and how it conveniently connected them to travel information.
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“The numbers speak for themselves with 250,000 scans of the NFC tags by 70,000 unique users recorded since the rollout began in October 2022.
“The NFC technology also removes the need for bus customers to search for their stop or download a mobile app.”
The NFC technology also assists people with visual impairment while people who do not speak English as their first language can translate the web page to their first language.
Customers only need to hold their phone in close proximity for a few seconds to scan an NFC tag. Patrons using iPhone devices should hold the top rear of their phone to the NFC tag to scan while customers using Android devices should hold the back of the middle part of their phone to the NFC tag to scan.
There is also the option for customers to scan a QR code, which is located on printed timetables at bus stops.