You Can Now (Finally) Ditch Your Physical Myki Card on Melbourne Public Transport

If you've ever been caught at a tram stop without a way to top-up your Myki, then you've probably wished that the Victorian Government would ditch physical cards and replace them with an app. For nearly a year, it has been testing that very idea — and now Melburnians are able to use an Android smartphone to manage their public transport fares.

After an industry-only trial in May last year and a second 'Mobile Myki' trial during the first few months of this year, the government has announced the rollout of digital ticketing via Google Pay. Android users can download the app, then use it to check their Myki balance, top up their account on the go, and touch-on and off — all using their phone instead of a physical card.

That means no more fumbling around in your wallet, bag or pockets to find the pesky piece of plastic, or walking an inconvenient distance to a ticketing machine, or just risking the fine. The custom-built app integrates seamlessly with existing Myki card readers and ticket barriers, and is available for travel on trams, trains and buses across the state. And, crucially, it's available across full fare, concession, child and senior tickets.

It isn't all good news, however. With the new system developed in partnership with Victoria's ticketing provider NTT Data and Google, it's only available for Android users, leaving iPhone owners stuck with their old Myki cards at present. The government is currently trying to work out how to make Mobile Myki available on other smartphone platforms, but hasn't advised a timeframe.

Myki reader, Beau Giles via Flickr.

Victoria was one of the first spots in the world to trial mobile ticketing technology across multiple transport modes on an entire public transport network, without incorporating any new infrastructure or equipment. The initial announcement came just a couple of months after Transport for NSW enabled contactless card payments on Sydney's Opal system for the first time.

Mobile Myki is now available for Android smartphone users. For further details, head to the Public Transport Victoria website.

Image: Josie Withers, Visit Victoria. Updated: May 2, 2019.