Recently, Sydneysiders were #blessed by the introduction of contactless payments on all public transport. All credit/debit cards, NFC enabled smartphones, and smart watches could suddenly be used to tap on and off in lieu of your Opal card.
On January 29, the NSW government released a statement saying that over 30 million journeys had been made without an Opal card, since the trials began in 2017. With 1.5 million cardless journeys being made per week, it seems like Sydney has tapped into a smarter way to travel.
As the cardless trend continues to grow, we’ve put together a guide for all the ways you can use your smartphone or smart watch to get rid of your wallet for good.
Smart Payment Options
Apple Pay
Apple had a head start on the competition when it launched in 2014, and is the most widely accepted form of NFC payment. The payment system is available on iOS devices beyond the iPhone 5 and can be used in conjunction with other apps like Beam It and Venmo.
Google Pay
Google revealed Google Pay in 2015 which allows both online and offline payment options. Google's version works on most Android devices but cannot be used with any iProduct.
Samsung Pay
Launched at around the same time as Google Pay, Samsung Pay uses a magnetic coil to transmit payment signals in the same way normal credit and debit cards work. So users won’t need an NFC based terminal to make payments and therefore should be able to use it more widely.
Credit and Debit Cards
Easily the most popular wallet application, adding credit or debit cards to your smart payment app is the first stop to a wallet-less existence. With an NFC (near-field communication) compatible smartphone, and a suitable banking card you can use your phone or smartwatch to pay for just about anything.
Using your phone to pay for public transport
Opal Card
The NSW government blazed a trail when it introduced contactless payment options as an alternative to Opal. In September 2019, Transport NSW competed the roll-out of the payment support across every Opal enabled train, bus, ferry, metro and light rail.
In order to take advantage of this system, you’ll need a debit or credit card provider that supports Google Pay, Apple Pay or Samsung Pay and a smartphone with NFC. If all of this is in order, then you can set up your wallet with your preferred payment card and you can tap on and off just like you would with your Opal.
There is currently no option to add your actual Opal card to your smartphone wallet, but using the Opal Travel app you can track your contactless payments - you’ll need to add the cards you use into the app though.
Mobile myki
Melbourne’s myki jumped on board the mobile trend, by releasing mobile myki through Google Pay. Your Android device will need to be operating on Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or higher, but users can add their myki card directly to their Google wallet.
Commuters with Google Pay supported smartwatches unfortunately cannot currently use this service. This doesn’t seem to have stopped people, with over 100,000 mobile myki payments completed in the first 2 months of the tech being introduced.
Go Card
Up in Queensland, trials for smart ticketing using phones, watches and contactless cards are well underway. Some Sunshine Staters already have access to the platform, with trials running in Bowen, Innisfail, and the Fraser Coast.
We anticipate that the system will run quite similarly to Sydney, with an NFC device and a compatible card to be required. While we don’t have the details yet, Transport and Main Roads Minister, Mark Bailey said in a statement that the state-wide roll-out is due to be completed by 2022.
MetroCARD
Adelaide’s MetroCARD is still running in analogue for now, but a Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure spokesperson states they are considering the use of NFC technologies. You never know, we might have more exciting news soon.
SmartRider
Perth’s Public Transport Authority is working on new technology which will upgrade their SmartRider system. Transperth trains, buses and ferries will be fitted to allow passengers to tag-on and tag-off using cards, smartphones and wearable.
Spokesman David Hynes from PTA said that the EMV-compliant readers are expected to be operational by mid-2022, with flexible payment options to come online in the year after.
Tap and Ride
The Northern Territory is keeping it old-school with its Tap and Ride cards. A Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics spokesperson told Whistle Out that they are looking into smart ticketing facilities but don’t have a time frame at this stage.
Digital Licences
NSW is quick off the mark with this one, introducing digital licences for more than just driving.
You won’t be able to use your Apple, Google or Samsung wallet - instead you’ll need to download the MyServiceNSW app to your smartphone. You can then create an account and add your relevant licences are permits. At the time of writing this article, available digital licenses include:
- NSW Driver Licence
- Boat Driving Licence
- Vessel Registration
- Recreational Fishing Fee
- RSA Competency Card
- RCG Competency Card
- Working With Children Check
Travelling wallet free
Boarding Passes
Long gone are the days of printing your boarding pass, well most of the time. A variety of airlines have integrated smart ticketing tech into their boarding procedures. On selected flight paths, and with eligible airlines you’ll be able to add your boarding pass to your smartphone wallet.
Domestic flights out of Australian airports have this functionality as part of the federal government’s airport automation plan, as do some international flights. Travellers can skip the check in desk and head straight for the departure gate. More time to get that perfect pre-holiday Instagram pic.
Accommodation
A few of the major hotel chains and booking sites are offering booking confirmation straight to your mobile wallet. Marriot, Hyatt, Hilton, Booking.com, Expedia, Agoda and Airbnb are among the booking partners who allow you to keep your itinerary on (or in your) hand.
Compatible Cards
Reward cards
Partnered rewards cards can get out of your wallet and into your phone as well. Woolworths Rewards, Flybuys and a range of other private rewards systems (Starbucks for one) offer the option to set up your card using Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay.
Tickets
If you’re heading out to a gig, you’re probably going to want to travel light. Ticketek, Ticketmaster, moshtix and Eventbrite are all offering digital tickets for a range of events. For a seamless experience, you can order your tickets directly off the app and simply tap to add them to your wallet. If you prefer to stake out tickets on a desktop then you can still set these up later on on your phone.
Super Fund cards
Six million Aussies have more than one super account, and maybe if it was more front of mind we wouldn’t fall into that trap so often. Four Super Funds are currently offering member cards to download to your smartphone wallet. With this, you can connect directly to your super account in order to access info, or even consolidate multiple accounts into one.
HESTA, Hostplus, MTAA and TelstraSuper are offering this option for their members.
Anything with a barcode
While the range of Pays available have partnerships with card suppliers, you’re bound to come across cards that just aren’t compatible. The good news is that if they have a barcode or a QR code Pass2U can help. Pass2U is a wallet app which allows you to add any card with a barcode to your wallet. Each card takes a couple of minutes to set up and then you can access these in the same way you would any partnered card.
If you can scan it, you can go cardless.
Anula Wiwatowska
Offsite Editorial Lead | Instagram
Related Articles
