Residents at Dubbo will tap onto buses using their debit card or phone as part of a NSW Government trial.
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Contactless payments will be trialed in Bathurst and Dubbo, starting in early 2023. Travelers won't have to carry cash with phones, debit cards and smart watches all able to be used to tap on.
The announcement was made in Dubbo on Tuesday, November 29, by Deputy Premier Paul Toole and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway.
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During that event, the NSW Government unveiled its blueprint for regional NSW with Mr Toole saying that 180,000 people had arrived in the regions in the past five years.
Mr Farraway said improving public transport in major regional hubs was crucial and pointed to the recent addition of Sunday services in Orange as an example of that.
He added the contactless payment system could be expanded to other regions around the state should the Dubbo and Bathurst trial prove a success.
![Geoff Ferris (L) of Dubbo Buslines with Sam Farraway and Paul Toole. Picture by Jude Keogh Geoff Ferris (L) of Dubbo Buslines with Sam Farraway and Paul Toole. Picture by Jude Keogh](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/131358433/337ebb96-8a61-41bf-a308-321e2c750eda.jpg/r0_0_450_300_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"This is really important for the Central West. We have 180,000 people moving to the bush, we need to make surer we have better services to back in these communities," he said.
Mr Toole said the issue of accessibility on public transport was one he had heard a lot while out and about in communities.
"We've heard the calls from the community for the ability to make contactless payments on regional bus services - and we've listened," Mr Toole said.
"So many of us don't carry cash now - this will mean when you jump on a bus, you have the choice to tap your card or device to pay for your journey instead.
![Orange buses could soon feature contactless payment options. Picture supplied Orange buses could soon feature contactless payment options. Picture supplied](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/131358433/fb44c0f1-7084-41cd-a181-232f7ae4409a.jpg/r0_0_1200_675_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
'We've already invested in more services to more locations more often in regional centres right across the State - now we want to ensure we're also making these services easier to use."
Travelers will still be able to use cash alongside contactless payments.
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