myki valid for travel on trams from Sunday 25 July 2010

Thursday 22 July 2010

22 July 2010

Media Release from the Minister for Public Transport

Victoria's new public transport ticketing system, myki, will be valid for travel on Melbourne's trams and buses from Sunday 25 July, Public Transport Minister Martin Pakula announced today.

From the first metropolitan train, tram and bus services on Sunday morning, Melburnians can choose to pay their fare across Zones 1 and 2 using myki or Metcard.

"If you are already using myki on trains you will be able to use the same card to get around on Melbourne's trams and buses," Mr Pakula said.

"And if you already have a myki card and have been waiting to use it on trams and buses, then you have the choice to use it from Sunday.

"If you want to continue using Metcard because you are not ready to switch to myki, the two systems will operate alongside each other until at least Easter next year."

Mr Pakula said during the past few months a significant amount of work had gone into getting the system ready for trams and buses.

"Results from recent testing have demonstrated the system is now ready for customer use on trams and buses," he said.

"Following advice from the TTA Board, I am satisfied the system is working at improved levels of reliability and that system operator, Kamco, has the ability to operate the expanded system and assist customers in their transition to myki.

"Over the coming week, card vending machines and myki check machines at large tram stops and major bus interchanges will be turned on and myki devices on trams will phase out the CitySaver ticket but passengers can still access this fare with a Metcard.

"People will be able to get a myki online or via the call centre and at Southern Cross Station. Work is now underway to prepare for the roll out of myki retail agents.

"This step by step introduction started with regional town bus services, metropolitan trains and now trams and metropolitan buses.

"I want to make it clear that Metcard will still be a valid ticket to ride until at least Easter next year.

"We expect commuters will move gradually across to myki as some may have Metcards which are still valid for some time."

Mr Pakula said the TTA and Kamco would monitor the roll out and the uptake of myki and work hard to identify issues.

"With a system of this size and complexity, issues will arise. The TTA and Kamco are focused on fixing them as soon as they occur," he said.

Transport Ticketing Authority chief executive Bernie Carolan said the authority wanted to make sure tram and bus users could top up as they travelled and machines would be gradually switched on over the coming week.

"myki users will be able to top up at myki machines on 21 tram platform stops and at 11 major bus interchanges including Chadstone, Monash University, Latrobe University and Doncaster," Mr Carolan said.

"This is in addition to the more than 310 myki machines on the train network, myki.com.au and the call centre.

"We are continuing to work hard rolling out the system and over the coming months more top up channels will be made available for myki users. "There is still a significant amount of work to do and along with Kamco we are pressing ahead with the job at hand."

Recent changes to tram zones announced by the Victorian Government mean the vast majority of myki users will no longer need to touch off on trams when the system begins operating.

Mr Pakula said the change means trams operate entirely in Zone 1 with a small overlap area at the end of four routes, and every time a myki customer touches on a tram, the default fare will be the best fare for most customers.

"The only customers who need to touch off on a tram to get the best fare are those who travel exclusively in the Zone 1 and 2 overlap area on the tram network," he said.

"Train and bus users should continue to touch on and touch off when they travel to ensure they get the best fare every time."

In keeping with the gradual rollout of myki annual pass holders will be advised by mail towards the end of the year to inform them of when they can make the switch to myki. 

The myki system has been developed by Kamco under a public tender and contract agreement.

Project funding of up to $1.35 billion includes system design and delivery payments, future costs of operating the myki system for 10 years, and funding to maintain the Metcard system equipment through a staged roll out into 2011.