It’s been just under two years since the Victorian government announced it was changing its Myki public transport ticketing system for the state.
Signing a new contract with global company Conduent, the $1,7 billion deal over 15 years was set to see the ticketing system overhauled for a new cardless tap-and-go method akin to what is seen on New South Wales’ public transport network.
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With the likes of former contract holder NTT Data and failed bidder Cubic complaining to the Victorian government about the process for selecting Conduent, the Myki overhaul has constantly been plagued by controversy.
Late last year, the first trial of the new system got underway on four bus routes in the regional town of Wangaratta.
ABC reached out to the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) to learn more about the trial, which is currently being run by local operator Fallons.
“We have partnered with local bus operator Fallons for this important trial and we thank their staff and drivers for working with us to help shape Victoria’s future ticketing system,” a DPT spokesperson told ABC.
The spokesperson says only full fare passengers are able to trial the tap-and-go technology as part of the six month trial that is expected to wrap up in May, with passengers able to choose between trialling the new payment method or sticking with their normal cash or card options.
Passengers are able to board a Fallons bus on any of the four town routes in Wangaratta and tap on with Mastercard or Visa by card, while also being able to use their phone or smartwatch to pay for full fare trips.
Throughout, the DPT says Fallons staff and drivers are sharing “valuable insights” to inform future stages of the program, with the trial testing the new readers and routers, bus and depot staff training, the use of tap-and-go and the back office processes involved.
“We wanted to conduct a trial on buses to gain early insights on how to install new readers across Victoria’s large bus network, which consists of 3,000 buses and many operators and vehicle types,” the spokesperson says.
A recent report by ABC News suggests industry members have labelled the trial as “pointless” and a “gimmick”, particularly due to the restraints preventing concession passengers from trialling the system.
The DTP says the new ticketing system is “underpinned by extensive technical and customer testing”, with customers provided feedback on the trial.
“The overwhelming majority are satisfied overall with the experience, indicating the technology was easy to use and they would likely use it again,” the spokesperson says.
“This is a complex technology project that crosses over every mode of public transport and requires software development, device replacement and extensive testing.
“We’re improving the ticketing system by giving passengers more options and making it simpler and quicker to travel on public transport.”
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