Concession fares coming to contactless payments

Passengers travelling on concession fares will soon have easy access to a more convenient tap on experience with contactless payments.

The changes will allow passengers eligible for Concession Opal or Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal fares, who represent around one third of Opal passengers, the same ease of paying with their credit or debit card or linked device, such as smart phone or watch.

Concession Opal or Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal fares can currently only be accessed by tapping on with a physical Opal concession card.

From 16 April, TAFE students, apprentices and trainees are the first group to access the new contactless payment system. This will be followed by University Students and JobSeekers, then Seniors/Pensioners in the coming weeks and months.

Eligible passengers will need to sign up to Transport Connect, and link a credit or debit card of choice to their travel concession to enjoy discounted fares with their card or device of choice.

Passengers are reminded to always tap with the same card or device for each trip to pay the correct fare, and unlock free trips, transfer discounts and cheaper off-peak travel. Anyone using the same bank card but tapping on with their phone then tapping off with their watch, could be incorrectly charged.