Victorian commuters will soon be able to pay for some train trips with a simple tap of their bank card or phone, with a new ticketing trial starting on several rail lines from Monday 16 March 2026.
The test will allow passengers travelling on the Craigieburn, Upfield, Ballarat and Seymour lines to use contactless payments instead of a myki card. Travellers will be able to tap on and tap off using a Mastercard or Visa credit or debit card, as well as a smartphone or smartwatch.
The trial will run through March and April as transport authorities test the technology before a wider rollout across the network.
For now the feature will only be available to passengers paying full fares. Concession travellers will still need to use a myki card, although they are expected to be included in later stages of the upgrade.
Specific card readers and station gates involved in the trial will be clearly marked so passengers know which ones accept contactless payments. The technology will only be active at stations on the selected lines, including those in the City Loop.
Passengers who plan to change to another train line, tram or bus during their trip are being advised to continue using a myki from the beginning of their journey. This is intended to prevent accidental overcharging while the trial is underway.
Participation in the trial is optional, and station staff will be available to assist passengers who want to test the new system.
If the testing phase is successful, the contactless payment option will be expanded across the rest of the metropolitan and regional rail network that currently uses myki. The state government plans to introduce the system on buses and trams at a later date as part of the broader ticketing upgrade.
More information about the public transport ticketing upgrade is available at transport.vic.gov.au/news-and-resources/campaigns/more-ways-to-tap-and-go.
