Tap on and off available on Cairns buses as a new way to pay rolls out across the network

Cairns bus passengers can now pay for their travel with a simple tap of their card or phone, as Kinetic begins rolling out tap on and tap off payments across the Cairns urban bus network.

From this week, new ticket machines will start being installed across Kinetic's 55-strong Cairns urban fleet, funded by the Queensland Government, as part of delivering modern, affordable public transport across regional Queensland.

By mid-September, every urban bus route in the city will offer the new payment option.

Once installed, the new system will allow passengers to simply tap on with a contactless Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card – including cards stored in the digital wallet of a smartphone, smart watch or other wearable device – when they board and tap off with the same card or device when they leave. Cash remains available for those who prefer this option.

Groups can also travel on a single card, with a multi-traveller option on the reader letting one passenger select the number of additional adult and concession travellers tapping on to pay for the whole group, then tapping off again when they disembark – a feature that proved popular with families and visitors when Kinetic introduced the technology on Magnetic Island.

Kinetic General Manager North Queensland Keely Abbot said the change would make catching the bus easier for locals and visitors alike.

“This is about convenience. No hunting for coins, no worrying about having the right change – just tap on, tap off, and you're on your way for 50 cents,” she said.

“We've seen how quickly customers embrace this technology. When we introduced this new payment option on our Magnetic Island services, 87 per cent of travellers were using it within the first month.

“It also speeds up boarding, which means more punctual services for everyone."

Passengers boarding a bus that has not yet been fitted with tap on and tap off can continue to pay as they do today, and cash will remain an option on all services once the roll-out is complete.

Cairns is the second of Kinetic's North Queensland networks to receive the new payment technology, following its successful introduction on Magnetic Island last year.

It is part of a wider roll-out of tap on and tap off technology across Kinetic's regional Queensland networks, with Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton and Bundaberg to follow progressively through the remainder of 2026.

For journey planning, visit translink.com.au, use the Translink app, or call 13 12 30.