Go cards to be phased out in Queensland, replaced with Translink public transport fare pass

The go card is being phased out, but Translink is yet to determine when. (ABC: Hailey Renault)

Go cards used by public transport commuters in South East Queensland for well over a decade will be abolished and replaced with a new fare card system — but Translink is yet to determine when.

The public transport agency has confirmed the new fare pass will be dubbed the “Translink card”, and will operate in a similar way to the go card.

Translink has also revealed it intends to allow commuters to link the new Translink card to their smart devices so they can leave the physical card at home.

The move comes as Translink rolls out smart ticketing across its network, enabling commuters to tap on and off their public transport trips with a credit card, debit card or smart device.

Translink said the time frame for the start of the new card and the end of the go card was still being worked out amid the ongoing rollout of smart ticketing.

A spokesperson said the new card would complement the smart ticketing initiative.

“The go card will be progressively replaced by an equivalent smartcard payment option in the new account-based smart ticketing solution,” they said.

“This will be known as the Translink card and will provide customers with faster data processing, advanced privacy and data security features, compared to the current go card.

“The Translink card will be available for customers who wish to pay with a standalone payment card that can be topped up and managed just like they do with their current go card.”

Concession fares will still be available on the Translink card, just as they are on go cards.

Go card ‘approaching end of life’

The spokesperson said Translink would ensure customers had plenty of time to prepare for the transition to the Translink card.

The go card was first launched in 2006 as part of a trial, before it was expanded more broadly in 2008 across buses, ferries, trains, and trams.

“This means go card technology is now almost 20 years old and is approaching end of life,” the Translink spokesperson said.

“Customers can obtain a refund of their go card funds at any time as long as they have the physical card or the card is registered.”

Translink launched smart ticketing on Brisbane ferries and CityCats earlier this week.

Smart ticketing has already been up and running on trams since late 2020 and on trains since mid-2022, but it is yet to begin on buses.

The current smart ticketing arrangements on ferries, trains, and trams is only available for full-paying adult fares.

In 2022-23, more than 153 million trips were taken on South East Queensland’s public transport network.