Tap and Pay ticketing goes live on trains

Friday 20 February 2026

New smart gates have been installed at Adelaide Railway Station

Adelaide commuters can now enjoy faster, simpler, and more convenient journeys with now a consistent way to pay across all buses, trains and trams.
 
From today, customers travelling by train can simply tap on with their debit or credit card, smartphone, metroCARD, or with the Buy & Go app, using the same smart validators already rolled out across trams and buses.

New smart barrier gates, the first of their kind in Australia, are now fully installed and operational at Adelaide Railway Station, improving passenger flow, accessibility, and security.
 
Tap and Pay has already proven popular with South Australian public transport users, with more than 11 million Tap and Pay transactions recorded since its introduction in 2020.

Last year alone saw more than seven million Tap and Pay transactions recorded across buses and trams.

On average, around 175,000 Tap and Pay transactions are made each week and among regular customers Tap and Pay usage is almost double that of regular metroCARD use.

The shift to digital payments is also continuing with more than 50 per cent of Tap and Pay customers now using their smartphones or digital wallets.

Travelling with Adelaide Metro to the Fringe, WOMAD, or Gather Round will be easier than ever for people who don’t have a metroCARD – including visitors – with Tap and Pay and the Buy & Go app providing simple, accessible ticket options with no need to plan ahead.

Tap and Pay is only available as a Regular fare (peak or off-peak) so the Buy & Go app or a metroCARD remain the best options for if you’re eligible for concession or student fares.

South Australian Seniors Card holders can still enjoy free travel all day, every day.

As part of the ticketing upgrade, paper MetroTickets are no longer available or valid on the Adelaide Metro network.

The network-wide ticketing upgrade been implemented in four stages with an overall investment of $20 million to date.

Quotes attributable to Adelaide Metro’s Tamara Campbell:
 
This is a major milestone in delivering a modern, convenient and accessible public transport system for South Australians.

From today, every bus, train and tram across Adelaide Metro offers the same convenient ways to pay - whether that’s tapping on with a card or phone, using the Buy & Go app or travelling with a metroCARD.

The new smart gates at Adelaide Railway Station are now switched on and ready to use, helping improve passenger movement through one of the busiest transport hubs in the state.

If you’re an occasional commuter, visiting from interstate, or have simply forgotten to recharge your metroCARD, tap and pay makes it easy to get on board and go. This also gives commuters the freedom to travel without having to plan ahead, making spontaneous trips and last-minute changes much easier.

Unused MetroTickets can be exchanged at the Adelaide Railway Station InfoCentre.