The go card is an electronic smartcard ticketing system developed by Cubic Corporation, which is currently used on the Translink public transport network (trains, buses, light rail, ferries) in South East Queensland, Australia.

The Queensland Government awarded the $134 million contract to design, build, operate and maintain the go card system to Cubic Corporation in July 2003.

[1][2][3] The go card was a major part of the Queensland Government's integrated ticketing system to improve the efficiency and convenience of public transport.

In July 2003, the Queensland Government awarded the $134 million contract to design, build, operate and maintain the go card system to Cubic Corporation.

[1][4] Following the development of the go card, in July 2006, Translink signed up around 1,000 volunteers to test out the new smartcard system in the Redcliffe area.

The system covers an area of 10,000 km2[5] and is available on 2,200 buses; at 153 train stations, 24 ferry wharves and 19 light rail stops.

During the launch, Translink had staff on hand at rail stations and major bus interchanges to talk to passengers about go card and answer any questions.

The go explore card offers visitors unlimited travel on any Translink bus or light rail service on the Gold Coast for just $1.50 a day.

For inter-modal travel, Translink allows go card users to transfer between services (up to 3 times and within 3 and a half hours) without being regarded as having started a new journey.

The fare is calculated and deducted from the go card balance each time the user touches off, based on the number of zones travelled through since the first segment of the journey.

In the event of inadvertent error, technical faults or other excusable circumstances, penalty fares can be adjusted via the Translink website (for registered go cards) or telephone call centre.

[24][25] In August 2024, a flat 50 cent per journey fare structure was introduced in a six-month trial eliminating the zonal system.

The Transport and Main Roads innovative technological solution, saw go card services integrated with point-of-sale equipment at all 7-Eleven convenience and fuel outlets.

The Smart Ticketing ecosystem consists of more than 14,000 devices that accept contactless credit or debit cards (American Express, Visa or MasterCard.

[34] Installation of infrastructure into the various bus operators' fleets and ferries is ongoing; once complete, the systems will then be switched on for each of these final two transport modes.

In March 2012, the then opposition transport spokesman, Scott Emerson, proposed that a Liberal National Party government if elected would consider integrating go cards with the Brisbane City Council/JCDecaux-operated CityCycle bicycle hire scheme.

[38] go card is the most widely used ticketing product on the Translink network, representing 87% of all trips taken in the quarter ended June 2016.