What is "smartrider"

SmartRider is the contactless electronic ticketing system of the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia. The system uses RFID smartcard technology to process public transport fares across public bus, train and ferry services.

The system is used widely across the Transperth public transport network in metropolitan Perth, as well as the regional town bus services TransAlbany, TransBunbury, TransBusselton, TransGeraldton and TransGoldfields in Western Australian regional centres. Smartrider is not used for ticketing on Transwa train and coach services or on Canarvon or Port Hedland town bus services, but can be recognised as proof of entitlement to concession fares.

The SmartRider is a credit card-sized smartcard incorporating a microchip and internal aerial, allowing the smartcard to communicate with processors located at Transperth railway stations, on Transperth ferries and on Transperth and regional town bus services. The microchip enables value to be loaded onto the card, as well as allowing the journey details to be recorded and the appropriate fare deducted from the stored value on the card.

The SmartRider system is designed so that passengers can 'tag on' and 'tag off' any services whenever they travel through the public transport network.