Public Transport

Mr COWDREY (Colton) (15:13): There certainly is. My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Can the minister update the house on how the government is delivering better services and new technology on our public transport system?

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD (Gibson—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (15:13): I thank the member for Colton for his very important question. It was just over a week ago that we kicked off our trial of the tap-and-pay initiative to make transport much faster here in South Australia for people catching public transport, in particular our trams.

From late September, commuters using our tram network will be able to tap on with their Visa card or Mastercard or smart devices, and that will deliver better services for tram users here in South Australia. This includes mobile wearable devices that are attached to your Mastercard or Visa card by an app, so you can use Apple Pay on a phone, you can use a Fitbit—if you have one; I need one—or Google Pay or Samsung Pay. They are all able to be used on this new technology. This is exciting and it is putting us in line with other jurisdictions across Australia. In fact, some people have stopped me on the street and said, 'This is tram-endous,' and I agreed with them.

This announcement propels us out of the dark ages that we were left with under the Labor government and into the digital age. It's providing better services and lower costs for South Australians. We know that under those opposite patronage fell across our public transport network—and shame on them. But you know what South Australians want? Better services and lower costs, and that's what we are delivering in our public transport system.

This fact will be validated as we go forward, and more and more people will choose—some say 'choo-choo choose'—public transport as their preferred option to get around. This trial is among a number of initiatives the Marshall government is doing that will help grow patronage. They don't like to hear about growing patronage on public transport because it went down under their government, but we are putting initiatives in place to make it more convenient for the people of South Australia to use public transport.

Having these safer, cleaner, faster and more efficient payment options means that not only will commuters save money—and that of course means lower costs for South Australians, which is what they like—but that in a COVID world we are also making public transport more contactless, which is also good for people in this day and age.

From the trial, I mentioned lower costs. For tram users who would normally buy a regular fare ticket, for an adult that's a cost of around $5.70. If they were just to buy a ticket for a trip on a tram, that's what it would cost. Now if they use their tap-and-go methodology—if they use their phone or their Fitbit—they will get it at the Metrocard rate, which is about $3.80 or a little bit over. That is a saving of almost $2, so again lower costs for South Australians using public transport.

That is what we like. That is good for South Australians and that will benefit intrastate visitors, interstate visitors and visitors from overseas. When they come to South Australia and they want to use our tram, they will be able to do so with ease and be connected straightaway. This is moving South Australia, as I said, into the 21^st century.

Over the next few weeks, a validator will appear in every one of our trams—24 of the trams across the network. They will be alongside the Metrocard. Have a look, keep your eye out for them and give it a go. Try this new technology; it is very exciting for everyone. Inspectors will still be able to inspect your phone. They will come along with their little machine and they will zap your phone. They will only get the last four digits and no personal information, but they will be able to tell whether or not you have purchased your ticket on your card—great technology again, going forward, and very, very well protected.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. C.L. WINGARD: The new tap-and-go method will be great, Mr Speaker. You won't have to have a Metrocard. You will be able to take the tram as often as you like. You will have that cheaper price, of course, which is wonderful. And I'm thinking about people from the regions, too, who come to Adelaide. They don't get a Metrocard, but if they want to jump on the tram and head to the Bay or, if they are at the Bay get to the city, they can use their Visa card or their Mastercard or the associated app. So more jobs, lower costs, and better services for South Australians.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order the member for Reynell. The member for West Torrens.