Source : Perth Now news
Commuters can finally ride ticket-free on a state’s train system, bringing it in line with the rest of the country, but there’s a catch.
Train passengers on selected Victorian lines will be able to participate in the trial, which will allow users to ditch plastic myki cards and use tap-and-go bank cards instead.
The Craigieburn, Upfield, Ballarat and Seymour lines will be the first to test the technology, which will be available to full-fare commuters only.
Specific ticket readers and barriers will be colour-coded for the trial so passengers know which are tap-and-go.
“This public trial will ensure we have full confidence in the technology before it’s rolled out across the entire network,” Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams said.
“Tap-and-go technology will make it quicker and easier for passengers to travel.”
The trial will be the upgraded myki system’s first big test after the Victorian government signed a $1.7 billion contract with US company Conduent in 2023.
The contract was hoped to bring the state’s public transport ticketing system into the 21st century.
The specialist public transport ticketing company was tasked with upgrading the trouble-plagued myki system to accept credit and debit cards, smartphones and smartwatches.
Android phone users can already use a digital myki card to pay for public transport, an option not previously available on iPhones.
The rollout of the myki system began in 2007 but was delayed with million-dollar cost blowouts and system issues.
It did not become fully operational until 2012, when it replaced the Metcard system.
Visitors to Melbourne must buy a myki card – $6 for adults or $3 for concessions, children and seniors – and add funds to it, unlike Sydney’s Opal cards, which have no attached purchase fee.
Train commuters in major cities such as Sydney, London and Singapore can use credit and debit cards to tap on and off and Brisbane is implementing similar technology.
Participation in the trial is optional and will conclude in April before a wider rollout begins.
