The rollout of contactless, tap-and-go payments for some metro train lines begins on Sunday, but people who use myki weekly, monthly or annual passes could be spending more.
Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen said the ability to tap onto trains with bank cards, phones and smartwatches was welcome, but that the state government needed to be clear about which services were eligible.
“We have fallen behind other cities, including other cities around Australia, so it’s good that it’s finally arrived,” he said.
But he said there could be teething problems, particularly as the tap-and-go system does not yet work on buses or trams.
“Hopefully, it does continue to go smoothly. They [the government] will need to be very clear that it’s not yet valid on trams or buses yet because that has the potential to be quite confusing for people that use trains as well as trams and buses.”
Bowen has also called for the introduction of a $28.50 weekly tap-and-go cap to match the cost of the myki weekly pass. He said that with the tap and go payment, commuters would end up paying more if they travel every day of the week because the system will charge for each fare.
“A lot of cities have them now, so it makes sense to make sure that people don’t pay more than they have to.”
Speaking to media on Saturday, opposition public transport spokesman Matthew Guy said the government should not be spruiking an initiative that took a decade to deliver.
“Sydney had full tap-on, tap-off payments a decade ago. Melbourne’s still waiting,” he said.
“It’s not rolled out across the network, it’s not on trams, it’s not on buses. It’s on part of the train network, and the government wants a pat on the back.”
Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams said the trial process had given the government confidence in the rollout.
“We know Victorians have been waiting for this opportunity to give them more ways to access our public transport network, whether that be from their phone, their watch, their credit cards, and the trial process so far has given us great confidence that we can continue to roll out this technology across our network,” she said.
Got questions about the new payment methods? We’ve answered some below.
When and where do the changes come into effect?
Tap-and-go payments come into effect on selected lines from Sunday, June 7. Those train lines are Sunbury, Pakenham, Cranbourne, Werribee, Williamstown, Sandringham, Frankston, Stony Point, Bendigo, Gippsland, and Geelong.
The payment options will be available at all remaining metropolitan lines (Mernda, Hurstbridge, Lilydale, Belgrave, Alamein, and Glen Waverley) from June 14.
When can you use it on trams and buses?
Tap-and-go contactless payments are not available on trams or buses yet, meaning anyone who catches one will still need their myki. Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams said the technology would be rolled out on tram and buses later this year. Public Transport Victoria is currently upgrading myki readers to enable the tap-and-go ticketing.
What happens if you have a concession fare?
If you have a concession fare, you cannot use the new contactless bank card or smartphone tap-and-go system yet. The new tap-and-go technology is initially limited strictly to full-fare passengers. Commuters on concession fares will still require a physical myki card to travel, or a digital one is available for Android phones. An Auditor-General Office report earlier this year found it would not be ready to be rolled out until mid-2027. The report also revealed the government had asked the contractor that was creating the concession platform, HCLTech, to pause work.
Can you use a myki pass (as opposed to myki money)?
No, you cannot use a myki pass with the new system. The bank card tap-and-go system only supports myki money. If you use weekly, monthly, or yearly passes, you will still need to use a physical or digital myki card.
Is there a credit card surcharge fee per transaction?
Contactless payments cost the exact same as a standard, full-fare myki. There are no surcharge fees if you use an Australian bank card, but if you’re using a card issued in another country, you may be charged an international transaction fee.
Can the same bank card be used to touch on for multiple people?
No, every customer needs their own ticket to be able to travel on public transport, meaning you must only pay for one person per card or device.
When can we expect the next fare hike?
The state government has committed to half-price public transport in Victoria until New Year’s Day, 2027, in an effort to ease cost-of-living pressures. Until then, a full daily fare is capped at $5.70, or $2.85 for concessions, until next year. Public transport prices typically rise on New Year’s Day, but the government has not yet forecast this.
How do authorised officers check my ticket?
Authorised officers will carry portable, handheld ticket readers that can scan your card, phone or smartwatch. Those scanners will check for an active “tap on” for that trip. Officers will not be able to see any bank balances, personal or financial details.
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