Melbourne replaces paper tickets with smart cards for public transit
07 May, 2012
category: Contactless, Smart Cards, Transit
In Transport Ticketing Authority (TTA) in Melbourne, Australia is making a questionable decision by deciding to do away with its paper tickets on buses and V/Line inter-urban services, according to theage.com.au.
The myki card is set to replace the preexisting paper Metcard tickets in metropolitan Melbourne by the end of the year – meaning anyone using public transport will have to purchase a myki card, even for one trip.
“The decision to phase out paper tickets could drive overseas visitors away from Melbourne’s public transport system,” says John Verity, chief adviser at ITSO Limited. “Completely removing paper tickets is higher risk, because you then don’t have any alternative back-up for people who don’t have a smart card to be able to travel on the system.”
To ensure that the city’s public transport is easily accessible for all, the TTA is working with various tourism bodies, discussing ways to make the myki card more user-friendly, especially for short-term visitors.
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