The long-promised “tap and go” technology for Victoria’s public transport system has been delayed yet again – now not expected until 2028, five years after Labor first pledged its delivery to all Victorians.
On May 15 2023, then Minister for Public Transport, Ben Carroll announced a new contract for the Myki system, promising an account-based ticketing upgrade.
Minister Carroll promised it would allow commuters to “tap on” and “tap off” using credit cards, smartphones, and smartwatches, replacing the outdated card-based system.
Victorians were told the new system would begin rolling out in 2025, following the contract commencement in December 2023.
The Nationals’ Melina Bath has slammed the latest Allan Government broken promise and described Myki’s tap and go roll out as a “mythical unicorn.”
“Myki is inflexible and shambolic – it’s stuck in the 1980s and remains incompatible with iPhones, which comprises over 56 per cent of smartphone purchases in Australia,” Ms Bath said.
“Commuters are today no closer to seeing tap and go technology implemented, than when Labor first announced it two years ago.
“The question that now needs answering is how much of the $1.7 billion, 15 year contract has been spent not delivering the ticketing technology Victorians were promised and deserve.”
Ms Bath said regional Victorians continue to be left behind by Labor, with many still forced to purchase paper tickets.
“Passengers in South Gippsland, Bass Coast, Wellington Shire and East Gippsland still don’t have access to Myki and are forced to buy paper tickets, it’s simply unacceptable.”
Ms Bath contrasted Victoria’s failure with New South Wales (NSW) success.
“NSW introduced tap and go technology in 2019, just two years after announcing it and completed an additional upgrade integrating Apple Pay in 2023.
“The Allan Government promised all Victorians a more efficient, user friendly Myki system within two years.
“Yet instead of delivering a ticketing system fit for the 21st century, Labor has left Victorians with an expensive, clunky, outdated dinosaur that’s not fit for purpose.”
