Catching the train in Melbourne is about to get a whole lot easier, with tap and go payments expanding across Victoria’s rail network from this weekend.
After months of trials on selected train lines and City Loop stations, passengers will soon be able to use a bank card, smartphone or smartwatch to tap on and travel at every myki-enabled train station across the state.
The rollout begins from 7 June across the Sunbury, Pakenham, Cranbourne, Werribee, Williamstown, Sandringham and Frankston lines, alongside the new Metro Tunnel stations and regional services including Bendigo, Geelong and Gippsland.
A second stage will follow on 14 June, adding the Mernda, Hurstbridge, Lilydale, Belgrave, Alamein and Glen Waverley lines.
The new payment system means commuters no longer need to top up or carry a physical myki card if they don’t want to, instead allowing them to tap on using the same card or device they already use for everyday purchases.
The technology has already seen a strong response during the trial period, with more than 88,500 trips taken using tap and go since March. Most passengers have opted to use their phones or smartwatches rather than physical bank cards.
The expansion also comes as Victoria’s temporary half-price public transport fares continue through to the end of the year, cutting travel costs for regular commuters across the state.
“Victorians are already saving money with half-price fares. Now we’re making public transport easier to use too,” Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams said.
“Tap and go means one less card in your wallet and one less thing to worry about on your journey.”
Concession passengers, seniors and travellers under 18 will still need to use their concession or youth myki cards, while paper tickets and eTickets remain in place on services where myki isn’t yet available.
The state government says it will have more to say in coming weeks about the next stage of the rollout to trams and buses.
