Public Transport Authority

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The Public Transport Authority of Western Australia is the state government agency responsible for operating and managing public transport services, including trains, buses, and ferries, across Western Australia.

East Perth, Western Australia, Australia
pta.wa.gov.au
Owned by Government of Western Australia

About Public Transport Authority

The Public Transport Authority of Western Australia (PTA) is the state government agency that plans, operates, and manages public transport across Western Australia. Through its Transperth (metro) and TransWA (regional) brands, the PTA provides train, bus, and ferry services, as well as supporting infrastructure such as stations, park-and-ride car parks, and ticketing systems. Most passenger-facing payments are processed under the Transperth/TransWA ticketing system and the SmartRider card program, but on bank statements the merchant name may appear as “PUBLIC TRANSPORT AUTHORITY,” “PTA WA,” “TRANSPERTH,” or similar variations, typically linked to their East Perth, WA location.

A charge from the Public Transport Authority will usually relate to public transport use or associated services. Common reasons include topping up a Transperth SmartRider card (in person, online, or via Autoload), buying a paper ticket from a station vending machine, paying for Transperth or TransWA fares online, or paying for parking at train station car parks. Some customers set up recurring SmartRider Autoloads so their card automatically tops up when the balance drops below a set amount; these can look like regular, repeated charges (for example, in round amounts such as $20, $30, or $50). You may also see temporary pending card authorisations if you purchase tickets or top-ups online; these should convert to the final fare amount or disappear after a few days if not completed.

To verify or resolve a PTA charge, start by checking recent public transport use, SmartRider top-ups, and any online ticket purchases made through Transperth or TransWA. Log into your Transperth or TransWA online account (if you have one) to view transaction history and receipts, or check paper receipts from stations, buses, or ticket machines. If you still don’t recognise the charge, contact Transperth InfoLine on 13 62 13 (within Australia), or use the contact details at pta.wa.gov.au or transperth.wa.gov.au with your card’s last four digits, transaction date, and amount so they can locate the payment. They can confirm what the charge relates to, help with disputed or duplicate transactions, provide guidance on SmartRider refunds or balance transfers, and advise next steps if you suspect unauthorised use.

Bank Statement Variations

1 known variations

These are the raw merchant codes that appear on bank and credit card statements that we've identified as belonging to Public Transport Authority.

  1. Public TRNSP Authority East Perth AU

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I see a charge from the Public Transport Authority or Transperth on my bank statement?

This almost always relates to a public transport payment in Western Australia, such as a SmartRider card top-up, a paper ticket from a station vending machine, a TransWA booking, or station parking. Review your recent travel and any online purchases made through Transperth or TransWA around the date of the charge. If you’ve given family members or children a SmartRider linked to your payment details, their top-ups and fare use may also result in charges under this merchant name.

What are common amounts for Public Transport Authority / SmartRider charges?

SmartRider top-ups and Autoloads are usually in round dollar amounts (for example, $10, $20, $30, $40, or more), while individual cash fares or paper tickets are often smaller amounts that reflect a single or daily journey. Station parking fees are typically low, flat amounts per day and may repeat on weekdays if you park regularly. Larger amounts may relate to regional TransWA tickets, longer-term passes, or multiple tickets purchased in a single online transaction.

Why am I getting recurring charges from the Public Transport Authority each month or week?

The PTA itself does not sell traditional subscriptions, but recurring charges commonly come from SmartRider Autoload or frequent online top-ups. If you enabled Autoload, your linked card will be charged automatically whenever your SmartRider balance falls below your chosen trigger amount, which can result in semi-regular or frequent charges depending on how often you travel. Log in to your Transperth account or visit a Transperth InfoCentre to check or change Autoload settings, including the trigger level or top-up amount.

How can I cancel or change my SmartRider Autoload to stop automatic charges?

To change or cancel SmartRider Autoload, sign in to your Transperth My Account (linked to your SmartRider) on transperth.wa.gov.au and go to the SmartRider or Autoload section. From there you can disable Autoload entirely or adjust the top-up value and trigger balance. If you prefer in-person help, you can also visit a Transperth InfoCentre at major stations or contact the Transperth InfoLine on 13 62 13 for guidance. Keep in mind that an Autoload already triggered before cancellation may still be processed.

Why do I see a small pending or $0 Public Transport Authority charge on my card?

When you add or update a payment card for online ticket purchases or SmartRider top-ups, the payment processor may place a small temporary authorisation (sometimes $0 or a very low amount) to verify the card. This is not a real charge and should either disappear or adjust to the final ticket/top-up amount within a few business days. If the pending authorisation remains or converts to an unfamiliar posted charge, contact your bank and then reach out to the PTA/Transperth with the transaction details for investigation.

How do I request a refund for a Public Transport Authority or Transperth charge I don’t recognise or believe is incorrect?

First, confirm the transaction against your SmartRider or ticket history by logging into your Transperth or TransWA account or checking recent receipts. If it still appears incorrect, contact Transperth InfoLine on 13 62 13 or use the feedback/complaints forms on transperth.wa.gov.au or pta.wa.gov.au with your name, contact details, the last four digits of your card, transaction amount, and date. They can explain what the charge relates to and, if an error is confirmed (such as a duplicate top-up or system fault), advise on eligibility and timelines for a refund or credit. For suspected fraud, you should also immediately notify your bank or card issuer.

How can I get a receipt or see the breakdown of a Public Transport Authority charge?

If you purchased online (for example, a Transperth or TransWA ticket or SmartRider top-up), check your email for a confirmation message or log into your online account to view past transactions and download receipts. For SmartRider, detailed usage and top-up history is available in your Transperth My Account. Paper tickets and station parking machines usually issue receipts at the time of purchase, so check any physical tickets kept from that day. If you can’t find a record, contact Transperth with your transaction details so they can look it up.

What should I do if my SmartRider card was lost or stolen and I see unfamiliar PTA charges?

If your SmartRider is registered, log into your Transperth account or call the Transperth InfoLine immediately to report the card lost or stolen so future travel cannot be charged to it. Any remaining balance on a registered card can generally be transferred to a replacement card. Ask the PTA/Transperth team to review recent activity on the card; they can advise what portion of the usage is genuine and what options exist if there has been unauthorised use. You should also keep an eye on your bank or card statements and speak to your bank if you suspect broader card compromise.

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