Melbourne trains launch tap-and-go payments after delays, excluding concessions and trams/buses initially
Consensus Summary
Melbourne’s train network will begin rolling out tap-and-go payments for full-fare passengers in two stages starting June 9 and June 14, marking a long-delayed upgrade to the myki system. The move follows trials in March that recorded 88,500 ticketless trips, with 80% using phones or smartwatches. However, concession passengers and those using trams or buses will not have access initially, with a timeline for those expansions expected in coming weeks. The $1.7 billion contract awarded to Conduent in 2023 has faced significant delays and cost overruns, pushing the full rollout to mid-2027 for concessions and regional areas, and 2028 for myki’s full retirement. The project is 18 months behind schedule, and the Auditor-General’s Office criticized unrealistic timelines and added $136.8 million in costs. Meanwhile, Victoria remains years behind Sydney, which introduced tap-and-go in 2017. Public Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams emphasized the convenience of the new system, though critics note the persistent delays and limited initial scope.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Tap-and-go payments for full-fare passengers on Melbourne trains launch in two stages: June 9 (Sunbury, Pakenham, Cranbourne, Metro Tunnel, Werribee, Williamstown, Sandringham, Frankston, Stony Point, Bendigo, Gippsland, Geelong lines) and June 14 (Mernda, Hurstbridge, Lilydale, Belgrave, Alamein, Glen Waverley lines).
- A trial of tap-and-go technology on Melbourne train lines in March recorded 88,500 ticketless trips, with 80% using a phone or smartwatch.
- Concession passengers (students, seniors, healthcare card holders) will not have tap-and-go access initially and must continue using physical myki cards for discounts.
- Trams and buses will not have tap-and-go technology in the initial rollout, with a timeline to be announced in coming weeks.
- The $1.7 billion contract for myki upgrades was awarded to Conduent in 2023 for a 15-year term, replacing NTT Data.
- The project is 18 months behind schedule and cost $136.8 million more than planned, according to the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office.
- Tap-and-go for concession passengers and all regional areas is expected by mid-2027, with the myki system fully retired by 2028.
- Public Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams stated: 'Tap and go means one less card in your wallet and one less thing to worry about on your journey.'
- Free public transport in April and May 2026 (due to cost-of-living measures) temporarily paused trials and delayed the rollout.
- Victoria’s half-price fares for public transport will remain until the end of 2026.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The Allan government will provide a timeline for introducing contactless payments on tram and bus networks in coming weeks.
- Regional stations that still rely on paper tickets (not covered by myki) will not have tap-and-go initially.
- A trial of myki credit card and phone tap-and-go technology took place on four bus routes in Wangaratta in 2024, a year later than planned.
- The Victorian Auditor-General’s Office put the total cost of the project at $2.8 billion over 15 years.
- Premier Jacinta Allan insisted in 2023 that the contract with Conduent would not further delay the rollout of tap-and-go technology.
- The rollout is almost a decade after Sydney introduced tap-and-go payments in 2017.
- The initial trials in March were on the Craigieburn, Upfield, Ballarat, and Seymour lines, paused due to free public transport.
- Conduent announced in May 2026 it is selling its public transit business.
- Android users can use a digital myki, but iPhone users cannot.
- The bank card tap-and-go system only supports myki money, not weekly/monthly/yearly passes.
- For Android users with a digital myki loaded, contactless travel will default to the myki rather than a bank card until January 1, 2027.
- The myki ticketing system was originally promised in 2004 by then-premier Steve Bracks but took until 2011 to fully implement, costing over $500 million more than planned.
- NTT Data was chosen as the myki operator in 2004 despite rivals offering more advanced systems like those in Sydney and London.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian and The Age state that tap-and-go for concession passengers and regional areas is expected by mid-2027, but ABC does not specify a date for regional rollout beyond 'next year'.
- ABC and The Age mention that the initial trials in March were on Melbourne train lines, while The Guardian specifies trials were on Craigieburn, Upfield, Ballarat, and Seymour lines.
- The Age states that Android users can use a digital myki, but this detail is not mentioned in ABC or Guardian.
- ABC and The Age mention that the myki system will not be retired until 2028, while Guardian states it will not be retired until a year after mid-2027 (implying 2028).
Source Articles
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