Archive, Industry News

MyWay uptake strong

Thousands of Canberra’s public transport users have registered for the ACT’s new smartcard MyWay in its first official week of operation

March 10, 2011

More than 2,800 people have registered online for MyWay cards since the scheme was rolled out to the general public on Monday, ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope says.

“MyWay cards are already proving very popular with the community despite it still only being a few days into the five-week transition period,” he says.

“It is fantastic that so many people are going online to purchase their cards and also setting up direct debit and BPAY options so they can set and forget and also save five percent on their bus travel.”

Stanhope says to make the process easier, pre-loaded standard adult MyWay cards with $20 worth of travel are now available from most existing ticketing agents including the 17 MyWay recharge agents, the MyWay Centre in Civic and Canberra Connect Shopfronts.

Cash fares will continue to be available under MyWay, he says.

“There is a transition period until Monday 11 April where people can use any pre-existing magnetic strip tickets, although the majority of the old magnetic strip tickets are no longer being sold.”

Stanhope says commuters can also transfer the value of these tickets onto MyWay cards until Thursday 30 June.

“A daily fare cap will be in place for both concession and adult ticket holders, while a monthly cap will also mean that any trips taken over the capped amount during the calendar month will be free if people tag on and off,” Mr Stanhope said.

Stanhope says the reusable MyWay cards would make bus travel cheaper for the majority of patrons and provide important data to plan transport for the future.

Send this to a friend