Picton Buslines has implemented tikpay’s account-based ticketing and payments solution across its services in and around Picton, New South Wales.
Picton Buslines has implemented tikpay’s account-based ticketing and payments solution across its services in and around Picton, New South Wales, transitioning from cash-only to fully cashless onboard payments. This has made travel more convenient and simpler for travellers while improving efficiency and driving an 84% increase in ticket sales for Picton Buslines.
From 100% cash to 100% cashless onboard
Travellers can simply tap-on / tap-off the bus with their contactless payment card (Visa / Mastercard), digital wallet (Google Wallet / Apple Pay / Samsung Pay) or a Picton Buslines Travel card to pay for travel. The traveller’s fare is calculated based on their actual usage of all bus services throughout a given day and is automatically charged to their payment account at the end of the day. Travellers who wish to pay with cash are able to pre-purchase multi-day tickets on smartcards from Picton Buslines.
Driver-validated Concession Registration
Travellers just need to show their concession card to the driver when boarding. The driver will validate it, then all the traveller has to do is tap their contactless payment card or digital wallet on the reader to complete the registration. From then on, every time they tap that payment method, concession fares will automatically apply.
Journey-based fares
Travellers are charged for their overall journey rather than for each vehicle they board. The system automatically groups multiple trips taken within a defined transfer window into a single journey fare. This ensures the price reflects the traveller’s destination, regardless of how many transfers are required.
Distance-based fares
We calculate fares based on the straight-line distance between the first tap-on and the last tap-off for a traveller's journey. This delivers a fairer, more precise alternative to flat or zone-based pricing.
Multi-traveller
For those in groups, they can simply select ‘Additional travellers?’, enter the number of additional travellers and tap once to pay for the entire group.
Smart cards
For those who don't have access to a contactless payment card or digital wallet - travellers can purchase an Australia Post Everyday Mastercard, which works like a prepaid debit card. Cash can be loaded onto the card at any Australia Post store.
If travellers are not comfortable with this, they can also purchase smart cards with 10 one-day tickets pre-loaded, providing an alternative solution for those who may not have access to a payment card.
Fast & Convenient
Readily supports concessions
Fair fares
Simpler, less to manage
Faster boarding
Safer, cash-free environment
Easy implementation
Optimising Picton Buslines costs
Enabling growth
'Tikpay's world-first cashless ticketing solution is genuinely transforming the way people travel on our network, and we're proud to be the first operator to embrace it. The benefits are real and wide-reaching — our passengers enjoy a more convenient form of payment, our drivers experience faster boarding times, and the administrative burden for our business has been dramatically reduced. It's a solution that delivers for the whole community, and that's something we're deeply committed to. From the very first conversation right through to launch day, the support from the Tikpay team has been nothing short of exceptional — responsive, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in making it a success for us.' Andrew Ferris Manager | Director - Picton Buslines
Cash only to fully cashless services on the bus
Picton Buslines undertook a significant transformation by becoming the first Rural and Regional Operator in NSW to migrate from a fully cash-based fare system to a completely cashless payment model across all public passenger services. This shift represents a fundamental change in both traveller experience and operational delivery, aligning with broader industry trends toward digitalisation and service optimisation.
The transition was deliberately implemented through a two-phase rollout to mitigate risk and support behavioural change amongst travellers.
Phase 1, launched in October 2025, introduced the tap-on / tap-off payment solution while maintaining cash ticketing. This parallel system enabled travellers to gradually familiarise themselves with the new technology without forcing the change, reducing potential barriers to adoption and ensuring continuity of service.
Phase 2, delivered in early February 2026, marked the full transition to a cashless network, with the removal of cash payment options across all vehicles and the introduction of the multi-day balance smart cards for those who don’t have access to a Visa / Mastercard.
This change forms part of their ongoing move toward more modern and more efficient transport services for both travellers and drivers.
Picton Buslines demonstrates how a regional operator can deliver a modern ticketing experience that is quick to implement, cost-effective, and seamless for travellers.
Learn more about our solution and get in touch at sales@tikpay.com to offer similar benefits to your travellers.
If you're curious about how tikpay could work for you, or you’d like to know more about supporting our growth, reach out to start the conversation.
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