Home / Technology / Tap-to-Pay Trials Begin on Melbourne Lines
Tap-to-Pay Trials Begin on Melbourne Lines
14 Mar
Summary
- Contactless payments trial for Melbourne rail commuters begins Monday.
- Four specific train lines will test the new tap-and-go technology.
- Full adult fares are supported; concessions still require Myki.
Melbourne is introducing contactless payment trials for public transport, aligning with other Australian cities. Beginning Monday, commuters on the Craigieburn, Upfield, Ballarat, and Seymour lines can use their credit or debit cards, smartphones, or smartwatches for fares, bypassing the Myki card. This initiative is part of a significant $1.7 billion ticketing overhaul designed to modernize the system.
The trial, conducted through March and April, will initially support only full adult fares. Passengers requiring concession rates, such as seniors and students, must continue using their Myki cards. Similarly, those transferring to trams or buses outside the designated trial lines will still need a Myki to avoid potential fines.
Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams stated the trial aims to ensure confidence in the technology before a wider rollout. The government had previously committed to this upgrade in 2023, facing delays attributed to the immense scale of infrastructure replacement. Global transport firm Conduent is managing the project, which saw nearly 3,000 new ticket readers installed at 280 stations late last year.
