Public transport moves towards credit card tap-on

PREPARATIONS to introduce contactless payments on Victoria’s public transport system will continue next month, as the State Government works towards rolling out the system in the first half of the year.

The ticketing overhaul will allow passengers to tap on using credit and debit cards, smartphones and smartwatches, removing the need for a physical myki card.

The project forms part of a $1.7 billion contract awarded in 2023 to US-based company Conduent to run Victoria’s myki ticketing system over the next 15 years.

The next phase of testing will begin under laboratory conditions and the system will be checked across a range of bank cards and smart devices.

Testing will then move onto the network itself, with trials planned at a small number of train stations to see how the technology performs in real-world conditions.

The trial will test key functions such as refunds, customer support and contact centre processes.

Public trials involving passengers are expected to begin in the coming months, with commuters at selected stations to be invited to take part. Details on how people can participate have yet to be announced.

Nearly 3000 new ticket readers have already been installed at more than 280 train stations across the state as part of the upgrade.

Installation of new readers on buses and trams is due to be completed early this year.

Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams said the testing phase was an important step before the system is switched on.

“This is a critical next step in rolling out tap and go payments, allowing us to test the technology in real-world conditions and make sure the system works smoothly before it’s switched on for passengers,” she said.

“In the coming months, passengers will be able to touch on using a credit or debit card, a smartphone or a smartwatch – starting on trains, then rolling out across the rest of the network.”

Victoria has been slower than other states to roll out contactless ticketing.

New South Wales has allowed passengers to tap on and off with bank cards and smartphones across the Opal network since 2019, while ticketless travel is already available on much of Queensland’s public transport system.

While Victoria’s Android users are already able to load a myki card onto their phones to touch on and off, the same option is not yet available to Apple users.