In 2023, US-French company Conduent won a $1.7 billion contract to take over myki<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As part of the deal, it must introduce tap-and-go payments \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n “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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “We are falling behind other cities.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “This really isn’t testing anything,” one said, noting that tap-and-go payment systems were already in widespread use in the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n There is also criticism that the trial does not include concession prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The government said the trial was assessing the installation of new readers, staff training and operations and back-office and financial reconciliation processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Testing of more complex requirements would also be held.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams said the state was investing in new technology to improve the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “We are actively taking the lessons of ticketing projects in other cities, noting their notorious complexity and challenges \u2014 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.”<\/p>\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bus drivers in the pilot also told the ABC that not many people were using tap-and-go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some passengers told the ABC they preferred to use cash, due to the convenience and concerns about the security of online transactions in general.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “I’m a cash girl”, said Sue, who caught local buses every week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “It’s just easier [and] you keep track of how much money you spend.”<\/p>\n\n\n Another passenger, Victoria, thought the trial would be a success but preferred to hand over coins for her bus fare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “You get rid of your cash easily,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maureen said she was unsure whether many seniors would use it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “I could use it, some people may not, older people \u2014 but I could,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The long-awaited modernisation of the Victoria’s public transport ticketing system has been under significant scrutiny in recent years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As reported by the ABC, the awarding of the contract to Conduent was met with some controversy<\/a>, with questions raised about its international track record in delivering tap-and go payments. <\/p>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-13.png\")
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Some passengers say they prefer cash<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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‘Sensible and simple thing to do’<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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