Smart Card
- What is a Smart Card?
- What are the conditions of use?
- How is a Smart Card used?
- What if a Smart Card is lost, stolen or damaged?
- Where can you apply for a Smart Card?
- For further enquiries please contact:
The Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources, in association with Merseylink, is improving the student concession bus pass system by replacing the paper pass with an electronic Smart Card. The Smart Card will be used by students on Merseylink services only.
What Is a Smart Card?
A Smart Card is a plastic 'keycard' type pass (pictured right). It includes a 
'chip' that can be encoded with information and is designed to be scanned on boarding the bus. Each card is distinct meaning that it is programmed with a unique user number which is in turn linked to the details of the student displayed on the face of the card.
What are the conditions of use?
Travel conditions are the same as with the paper pass system. The Smart Card still allows the student a maximum of two trips per day to travel to and from school. If required, validation includes a 90 minute time-frame from the initial scanning to allow for transfers to other buses. After the 90 minute time-frame has elapsed, a second trip will be recorded. Once two trips have been registered on the card per day, any extra travel undertaken will not be validated by the Smart Card and will be at the individual's expense.
One difference between a paper pass and a Smart Card involves what is called a 'five minute lock-out period'. Upon first validating the Smart Card, there is a five minute period where the card cannot be used. If the card is scanned during this time, it will show as invalid.
Upon boarding the bus the student holds the Smart Card over the scanner and a trip is registered, allowing entry onto the bus. If the Smart Card has exceeded two trips per day, the scanner will show it as invalid.
What if a Smart Card is lost, stolen or damaged?
If a Smart Card is lost or stolen, benefit holders need to contact the Department and have the card cancelled immediately. They will then need to complete an Application for Replacement of a Student Concession Bus Pass form (PTS001-3F) at their nearest Service Tasmania office, paying a fee of $11.00 (GST incl.). If the Smart Card is damaged and is able to be returned with the application, a replacement may be issued at no cost.
Where can you apply for a Smart Card?
If students currently holds a paper pass, then a Smart Card will automatically be mailed out to them. An Application for a New Student Concession Bus Pass form (PTS001-1F) can be obtained from any Service Tasmania Office, on the internet, or by telephoning 1300 851 225.
Applications are forwarded to The Concessions Officer, Passenger Transport Services Branch, G P O Box 1242, HOBART TAS 7001 same as with the other pass applications. The official starting date for use of a Smart Card is Thursday 14, February 2002.
For further enquiries please contact:
Merseylink
134 Don Road
Devonport 7310
Phone. (03) 6423 3231
OR:
The Concessions Officer - Bus Passes
Passenger Transport Services Branch
Phone. 1300 851 225
Send Applications to:
Manager, Contracts & Client Services
Department of Infrastructure, Energy & Resources
Roads & Public Transport Division
GPO Box 1242
Hobart TAS 7001
