Huge transport shake up every Melbourne commuter needs to know about: Why myki cards are about to be a thing of the past
- Melbourne commuters will soon be able to use bank cards
- They’ll be able to use smartphones to tap on and off
Melbourne commuters will be able to pay for their public transport fares with mobile phones, debit or credit cards in a massive shake-up to the transport system.
Myki cards will be phased out in favour of an online account-based system that lets commuters use their devices like smartphones or cards to pay for train, bus or tram fares.
US-based Conduent Business Services will take over the system as part of a 15-year contract worth $1.7billion.
Melbourne commuters will be able to pay for their public transport fares with mobile phone, debit or credit cards, the Victorian government has announced (stock image)
Trials will begin next year and there will be a two-year transition period before the new system is rolled out across the state.
The system will still be called myki but will mean commuters won’t have to carry physical cards.
Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll praised the change saying it would make life easier for commuters.
‘This is a very important moment for Victoria and public transport,’ he said on Monday.
‘For the past 16 years we have had a card-based ticketing system under Myki.
‘We will now reach the 21st century with an account-based ticketing (that is) simpler and more easier to use through your credit card, through your smartphone and through your smartwatch.
‘This is a real steep change for Melburnians and indeed Victorians.’
Myki cards lost favour with some commuters who haven’t been able to tap on and off with their bank cards or devices, as is possible in other states and territories.
Myki cards will be phased out in favour of an online account-based system that lets commuters use their devices like smartphones or cards to pay for train, bus or tram fares (stock image)
The myki app is available on Android devices only.
Visitors to Melbourne must buy a myki card and add funds to it.
Android phones have been able to tap on to the system since 2019, but iPhones and credit cards cannot be used.
The Victorian government set aside $1m in 2019 to try to incorporate Apple technology into myki but a solution was not found.
Train commuters in Sydney, London and Singapore can use their credit and debit cards to tap on and off, and Brisbane is implementing similar technology.
