PASSENGERS will soon be able to track if the bus is late on North Stradbroke Island and later pay with bank cards and smart phones thanks to a smart ticketing system.
Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Cameron Costello said the new ticketing hardware to be trialled on Minjerribah would benefit residents and visitors.
"Connectivity and ease of transport to move around the island is a critical factor that the government and QYAC take seriously," Mr Costello said.
The state government was spending $371 million on the smart ticketing rollout, which would also take place on the Fraser Coast, Bowen and Innisfail from October.
Tourism Minister Kate Jones said real-time travel information let customers see when their bus would arrive so they could time their trip around that information. She said better transport options would make it easier for tourists to enjoy Minjerribah's rich culture and natural beauty.
"South-east Queensland commuters have had access to this information for some time so it's about time regional bus users got to experience it too," Ms Jones said.
"That's what so great about smart ticketing - one system for everyone, from the coast to the country."
Transport Minister Mark Bailey said that passengers would later be able to pay using credit and debit cards, smart phones and wearable devices.
"Those options won't be part of this trial but will be available down the track as part of the rollout," Mr Bailey said.
"Queensland's public transport network covers one of the largest geographical areas on the planet, which means nearly 1300 fixed devices and over 12,000 on-board devices will need to be replaced.
The regional trial - which would see 60 routes and 88 buses fitted with the smart ticketing consoles in four locations - was the first chance to test elements of the new ticketing system.
"The new driver consoles have arrived and are ready for final testing," Mr Bailey said. "The first regional trials will also see about 130 drivers trained to use the new equipment."
Mr Bailey said people would still be able to pay with cash and get paper tickets after the new ways to pay were introduced.
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