First tap-and-go public transport trials in Victoria labelled ‘gimmick’ by critics

The first trial of ticketless public transport in Victoria has been labelled a “gimmick” and “pointless” because it is limited to just four bus routes in the state’s north-east and doesn’t integrate with trains.

Victoria is well behind other states and cities when it comes to ticketless travel, including Sydney, where commuters can pay for trips via credit card or phone at the turnstiles.

In 2023, US-French company Conduent won a $1.7 billion contract to take over myki.

As part of the deal, it must introduce tap-and-go payments — but already it has fallen behind schedule, with one of the key members of the consortium, Convergint, pulling out due to problems with the scheme’s development.

It means Victorians will have to wait even longer for ticketless travel, with the state government refusing to say when commuters will be able travel without a ticket on the network.

The state government has not given a date for the full rollout of ticketless public transport travel. (ABC News: Patrick Rocca)

“History is repeating itself and yet again we are seeing a very slow process to deliver essential upgrades to the ticketing system,” the Public Transport Users Association’s Daniel Bowen said.

“We are falling behind other cities.”

A six-month trial of ticketless, full-fare travel is underway in the regional city of Wangaratta on four bus routes. But industry insiders who are unable to speak publicly said the trial was nothing more than a “gimmick”.

“This really isn’t testing anything,” one said, noting that tap-and-go payment systems were already in widespread use in the community.

The test has also been labelled “pointless” because it does not integrate with trains or trams, meaning Wangaratta locals catching the bus to the station still need a myki or other ticket to ride.

The initial trial is limited to four bus routes in Victoria’s north-east.  (ABC News: Danielle Bonica)

There is also criticism that the trial does not include concession prices.

“It’s not testing myki cards used throughout Victoria, it’s not testing integration with V/Line which connects to those bus in Wangaratta, so it’s only really testing a tiny portion of what the myki system needs to provide. Hopefully it’s proving something in terms of the equipment,” Mr Bowen said.

The government said the trial was assessing the installation of new readers, staff training and operations and back-office and financial reconciliation processes.

Testing of more complex requirements would also be held.

Some passengers say they prefer cash

Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams said the state was investing in new technology to improve the system.

“This is a complex technology project that crosses every mode of public transport and requires software development, device replacement and extensive testing across the state,” Ms Williams said in a statement.

“We are actively taking the lessons of ticketing projects in other cities, noting their notorious complexity and challenges — and we will take a considered approach to deliver a sophisticated tap-and-go ticketing system that we can build on over time, providing Victorians with more options to pay.”

Victoria’s Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams says the government will take a “considered approach” to implementing a tap-and-go system. (ABC News: Danielle Bonica)

When the ABC caught the bus in Wangaratta last week, not one of roughly a dozen passengers spoken to were using tap-and-go to pay. The passengers either held concession cards or chose to pay in cash.

Bus drivers in the pilot also told the ABC that not many people were using tap-and-go.

Some passengers told the ABC they preferred to use cash, due to the convenience and concerns about the security of online transactions in general.

“I’m a cash girl”, said Sue, who caught local buses every week.

“It’s just easier [and] you keep track of how much money you spend.”

Commuters can pay for transport on Victoria’s bus network using a myki or cash. (ABC News: Andie Noonan)

Another passenger, Victoria, thought the trial would be a success but preferred to hand over coins for her bus fare.

“You get rid of your cash easily,” she said.

Maureen said she was unsure whether many seniors would use it.

“I could use it, some people may not, older people — but I could,” she said.

‘Sensible and simple thing to do’

The long-awaited modernisation of the Victoria’s public transport ticketing system has been under significant scrutiny in recent years.

As reported by the ABC, the awarding of the contract to Conduent was met with some controversy, with questions raised about its international track record in delivering tap-and go payments. 

The update to Victoria’s public transport ticketing system has attracted some controversy. (ABC News: Danielle Bonica)

The government was also slammed two years ago for rejecting a credit card tap-on technology trial for myki, after the ABC revealed documents showing a trial was ready to go.

Shadow Public Transport Minister Matthew Guy said it was unfathomable that Victoria was so far behind the rest of the country and the world.

“It’s clear that the current state government have no interest in making this happen, which is bizarre, given it is just such a sensible and simple thing to do for the sake of Victorians’ convenience,” he said.

He also lashed out at the government’s refusal to say when the system would be ready.

“If [Victorian Premier] Jacinta Allan and Ben Carroll can’t tell Victorians a simple answer, when will we get the chance to use our credit card or our phone as a ticket like they do in New South Wales?” he asked.

“If they can’t say when, then that tells you all you need to know about how incompetent they are.”

The tap-and-go trial is expected to end in May.

News ABC

4 thoughts on “First tap-and-go public transport trials in Victoria labelled ‘gimmick’ by critics

  1. Wasn’t there also complaints about why they didn’t spend $1b on Myki credit card trials when it would only work on trains and would transfer across to others? And who were those critics? Is the complaint now that they can’t use it and to poors are trialing it instead. Are they forgetting it needs to be for middle class train travelers going into the CBD where no one else rides the trams either as it been too busy…

    1. Yes there were but if you google you can find the decisions made by Ben Carroll as transport minister highlight the captains calls he made. There was much ado about the process being flawed and other bidders not being given a fair chance to fine turn their bids. Someone is on the take again somehow.

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