Oyster contactless technology possibly heading for Sydney

Sydney commuters could soon have something in common with their London counterparts, after Cubic Transportation Systems paid Transport for London £15m for a licence to deploy the capital’s Oyster smart ticketing system with its other global customers, which include the New South Wales capital’s Opal card.

It’s understood the software could also end up further north in Australia, in Queensland’s capital Brisbane, where the state government is refreshing its Go Card system - also run by Cubic.

The Oyster card system was developed by both Cubic and Transport for London and first rolled out in 2003.

In 2014 it became the first ticketing system to allow commuters to use their contactless credit or debit card to pay for their journey at the fare gate.

New South Wales’ government is reportedly keen on a move to contactless payment across its train, bus, ferry and light rail network.

The deal gives Cubic rights to use the “contactless back office” technology used by TfL, including the source code, documentation, and support from London-based developers for up to five years.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan will put the proceeds towards his pledge to freeze transport fares for the next four years.