[category]
[title]
Commuters, we’ve got news – Melbourne’s long-running “why can’t I just tap my phone like literally every other city?” era is officially inching towards its finale. Victorians are one step closer to tapping on with a credit card, smartphone or smartwatch, with the next phase of contactless payment testing taking place on the Myki network.
After installing nearly 3,000 new ticket readers across more than 280 train stations, the project is now shifting from infrastructure mode to real-world testing. Early next month, a series of controlled, closed-group trials will kick off, putting the system through its paces across a wide range of bank cards and smart devices, to make sure Melbourne’s long-awaited tap-and-go moment actually works before it’s unleashed on peak-hour commuters. Over three days of testing, the system will be checked for everything from basic touch-on functionality and refund functions to customer support and contact centre processes – all with the aim of keeping disruptions to a minimum.
Once that’s ticked off, testing will move out of the lab and onto a small number of selected train stations. These trials are designed to see how the system performs in real-life conditions ahead of contactless payments being switched on early this year.
Public trials will then follow over the coming months, giving passengers at selected stations the chance to try tapping on with their cards or devices and provide feedback before the rollout goes wider. Details on how to get involved haven’t been released just yet, but they’re expected soon.
Importantly, the upgrade is still tracking towards a network-wide rollout. While trains will be first to get the contactless treatment, buses and trams won’t be far behind, with the installation of new readers due to wrap up early this year. Once testing is complete, full-fare-paying passengers will be able to ditch the physical Myki and use their credit or debit card, phone or watch instead – starting on trains, then expanding across the rest of the network.
For now, it’s very much business as usual. The shiny new readers currently accept Myki only, so don’t retire your card just yet. But if all goes to plan, Melbourne’s daily commute is about to get a whole lot smoother.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.