Public Transport in Melbourne
by Jess
(country)
Question:
Why do we have
Myki instead of
Metcard?
Answer
Hi Jess,
Thanks for your question.
Ok, here goes my answer...
To the best of my knowledge I can only say that from what I have researched the advantage to the commuter, that is the user, is
CONVENIENCEOur current ticketing systems are outdated.
Smart card technology is being introduced to many transport ticketing systems around the world.
Myki will be one of the world’s largest smart card ticketing systems, operating in a capital city as well as in suburban and regional centers.
Eventually!!!!...Most Victorians will be able to enjoy a fully integrated ticketing system that works across trains, trams and buses.
By keeping your
Myki topped up, you will always be ready to travel. All you will need to do is touch on at a
Myki reader when you enter the train station or board a tram or bus, and touch off at the end of each leg of your journey.
Easy.
Myki Benefits
myki will offer a number of benefits to public transport users:
* Convenience: You can use the one durable card to travel with no need to buy tickets every day. You don’t need to carry loose change to buy tickets any more and you get all the fares you are used to simply by touching on and off.
* More durable: Your new
myki lasts for years and can be used again and again.
* Lowest fare: If you use myki money,
myki calculates the
lowest fare for each journey you make in a day as long as you touch on and off. Fares are capped to a daily maximum.
* Product flexibility: You choose how you want to pay for your fare.
A
myki pass is valid for seven consecutive days or any number of days from 28 to 365.
A
myki pass is just like a weekly, monthly and yearly Metcard.
Or you can choose
myki money and only pay for the travel you make.
Myki money is like pay as you go and fares are charged at the 10 x 2 hour and 5 x daily Metcard fare.
* Peace of mind: If you register your
myki and it is ever lost or stolen, the balance is protected from the moment you report it.
Here are some interesting links that may offer some more information that could help in explaining this phenomenon...
Article from WikipediaWhat is a "Contactless SmartCard" and why it is becoming a universal trendI hope that all the above will help you understand what is going on with the Public Transport system in Victoria.
Change is always difficult and there are so many different forms of transport within the State, it is not going to be an easy switch but from what I can see, if we learn how to use the system correctly then we will be in for a "better ride" :)
Here is the official Myki website, it may add more helpful information...
This is Myki Cheers,
Marylyn(SuperNan)