Speaking during the adjournment debate in state parliament at the end of August, Mrs Tyrrell called on Public and Active Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams to update Victorians on when the new ticketing system would be implemented.
The new system will allow for more tap-and-go payment options such as credit cards, smart phones, smart watches and QR codes as well as the existing myki card.
Mrs Tyrrell said the planned new system was first announced in May 2023 by the then-public transport minister and was due to begin operation this year, making it available in many regional stations, including Shepparton, Wodonga, Echuca and Swan Hill, for the first time.
“The government said the system would be up and running in 2024, but it is nearly September and the new myki is nowhere to be seen,” Mrs Tyrrell said.
“Nearly nine months into 2024 and still passengers in my electorate are forced to deal with paper tickets, with the new system promised by the government still not delivered.
“It is time Minister Williams came clean and provided clarity as to when the new myki system will be implemented.”
No exact date has been provided, but a government spokesperson confirmed that myki was still expected to reach regional stations this year.
According to the spokesperson, local trials of new payment methods were “on track to begin later this year, ensuring the technology is tried and tested before being progressively rolled out”.
They added that a range of new myki infrastructure had been tested since late 2023, including new myki readers, screens and gates, to ensure the ticketing system was simple and convenient for all Victorians to use.
Additionally, around 23,000 new myki devices have been ordered to be installed on the network, once testing is complete.
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