Metrocard (Adelaide)

A metrocard is a contactless smartcard ticketing system using MIFARE-Technology and being rolled out across the Adelaide Metro bus, train and tram system. It is similar to the Octopus Card and Oyster Card used in Hong Kong and London respectively. The contract for the system was tendered out, and in 2010 was awarded to Affiliated Computer Services using technology used in, among others, Montreal, Canada, Houston, Texas and Toulouse, France.

It was originally scheduled to become fully operative in early 2013, however due to overwhelmingly positive response from trial users it was launched on 3 November 2012.

The original ticketing system was based on the Crouzet system and was provided by Affiliated Computer Services. It was introduced in 1987 and was intended to be used for only a few years before being replaced. Replacement plans soon fell through and the original equipment remained in use until 2012. In 2010, it was announced that Affiliated Computer Services had been awarded the contract to replace the aging Crouzet system with a new contactless smartcard system, which would also allow the current Edmondson-sized magnetic stripe tickets to remain in use.

As a result of the new system, multi-trip tickets are no longer sold as Crouzet tickets. Metrocards have replaced them, and Seniors tickets have been replaced by the new Seniors Card. Single and day-trip tickets continue to be sold as Edmondson-sized magnetic stripe Metrotickets. Passengers could trade their existing Multitrip Metrotickets in for Metrocard trips. At the end of December 2014, validators no longer accepted Multitrip tickets, however users could continue to convert them to Metrocard Trips until February 28, 2015.

In 2013, it was announced that Metrocards would be able to be used to access secure bike cages, at railway stations fitted with the necessary equipment, for an annual fee. It was also announced that, as part of the Tea Tree Plaza Interchange Park and Ride upgrade, Metrocard users would be able to use their Metrocard to pay for parking.

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Wikipedia