Getting to the Gold Coast Show will be easy with TransLink's Smart Ticketing G:link trial.
The G: will help patrons travel safely and quickly to and from the show at the Broadwater Parklands from Friday to Sunday, with show-goers able to use their credit card, debit card, smart phone or smart watch to pay for their journey as part of TransLink's Smart Ticketing G:link trial.
The Connecting Thread artist Elisa Carmichael will join Smart Ticketing ambassador and voice of Marlu the kangaroo Taliqua Clancy, fresh from claiming a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, at the Smart Ticketing stand on Friday for special guest appearances.
The Smart Ticketing stand will be located near the Main Stage Great Lawn/Nerang Street entrance at the Broadwater Parklands.
TransLink General Manager for Passenger Transport Strategy and Technology, Martin Bradshaw, said the trial on The G: was on track to hit 300,000 trips taken with Smart Ticketing payment methods during the Gold Coast Show, after it was launched in December last year.
"Smart Ticketing introduces new ways to pay, including contactless debit and credit cards, smartphones and other smart devices, such as smart watches, and improves customer experience in South East Queensland," Mr Bradshaw said.
"Adult customers can already pay with go cards, contactless Visa, Mastercard or American Express credit or debit card or digital wallet linked to their smartphone, smart watch or smart device and paper tickets across the entire Gold Coast G:link network as part of the first Smart Ticketing trial."
Visitors to the Smart Ticketing stand at the show will be able to see firsthand how the new, improved ticket validators make it easier to catch and pay for public transport and ask questions about the new equipment with a TransLink Street Team who will be at the show every day.
While at the stand, visitors can hop on board a bus that is wrapped in The Connecting Thread First Nations artwork, created specifically for the Smart Ticketing project, for a completely new and immersive experience.
Mr Bradshaw said Smart Ticketing was proud to be involved with the show.
"Visitors to the Smart Ticketing stand at the Gold Coast Show can try the new Smart Ticketing equipment and speak to the Smart Ticketing Street Team, who will be at the stand each day to answer questions," he said.
"Another highlight at the stand is our display bus that offers an immersive Smart Ticketing experience. The public can hop on board the bus that is wrapped in The Connecting Thread First Nations artwork to explore the sights and sounds of the different countries that make up this spectacular artwork."
The Connecting Thread artwork was developed by local Gilimbaa artist, Elisa Carmichael (Quandamooka), specifically for the Smart Ticketing project. The design symbolises and reflects the landscapes of Queensland from top to bottom and the pathways that connect Country and people.
"In a world first, customers can see First Nations art across Queensland’s public transport ticketing equipment and infrastructure," Mr Bradshaw said.
"TransLink set out to harness the social and cultural power of public art to transform functional public transport ticketing equipment and infrastructure across Queensland into a vehicle for the maintenance, expression and transmission of our First Nations culture."
For more information on the Smart Ticketing project, visit the TransLink website or phone 13 12 30.
Head online to the TransLink website to plan your journey to and from the Gold Coast Show.
