Blog comments

• Continuing from my previous post:

  Pasmo Tuesday 13 July, 2010 - 11:49 PM commment

  If you already hold a Myki Pass and you find yourself in the unfortunate situation where you might need to use a tram or a bus, do you need to buy a Metcard to compliment your Myki pass? Is it technically fare evasion if you don't?

  Pasmo Wednesday 14 July, 2010 - 8:09 PM

• I don't understand how Myki can justify their prices considering that it can only be used on Metro trains. I mean Metlink is unquestionably better value, but that's not really the point.

  Yearly Zone 1 Myki Pass = $1170 with no bus or tram service. Yearly Zone 1 Metlink ticket = $1173.

  Daily Zone 1 Myki = $5.88. Metlink equivalent= $6.80.

  How does TTA justify the price for a third of the public transport services offered with Myki?

  Pasmo Tuesday 13 July, 2010 - 11:49 PM

• MYKI What customer service
  5th April MYKI card stopped working
  with $80 on it, "It takes 14 Days to get a new card issued after form is filled out at Southern Cross, I was assured that all my settings & Auto Top up was transfered to new card,On the 18th May 2010 my card went into-Minus$2
  I have to ring up again & have Auto Top Up Restored.

  George Wednesday 19 May, 2010 - 9:37 AM

• This morning I used my MYKI on the Carnegie tram from Elsternwick station.

  It actually worked.

  Why have they not told us this?

  Rod Kenning Tuesday 11 May, 2010 - 12:57 PM

• SMART card still taking the MYKI
  The joke continues,
  See Letters in the SUN 30/4/10

  On March 27th, I bought a myki for a family member & immediatly debit my credit card ( but as of yesterday 29/4/10 They could not confirm when I could expect to recieve & use the card.
  MYKI's advise: "Use a Metcard in the meantime."
  Best advise given so far.

  Maybe EVERYONE should stick to the old system, they can then put the MYKI on the scrap heap.

  Angela Friday 30 April, 2010 - 8:12 PM

• Taken 30 Minutes on the phone with them.

  I can't log onto Myki website with my
  username & password
  Get invalid
  username or password

  I rang them & They told me it is down & was also down last week
  (That's CRAP)
  To me the site is working but slow.

  But funny enough I could unlock the account.
  & get an email reply

  Get a password reset code
  & get an email reply But couldn't change it.

  They said they will ring me back
  when they have put in a service Request
  If you have this many problems now, What is it going to be like in the future!

  Gus Friday 30 April, 2010 - 12:11 PM

• Have a defective card that I sent back to myki to get a replacement issued. Was told that i must pay $9.80 as i must have damaged the card and it was not defective, however on saying i would do without and could they give my $20 credit back was told there is a $9.80 admin fee to have a cheque issued. So it now stands that they have my card and my credit and unless i give them $10 i can have neither......

  dazzler Wednesday 10 March, 2010 - 4:10 PM

• This morning I used my MiKi card to travel from Armadale station to Flinders St station. I left Armadale station at 6.21am (which free travel before 7am). I clicked on my Miki card on at Armadale station but on arrival at Flinders St station ALL exit gates were turned off and were open so I could not click off. I left without clicking off. The staff could not suggest anything (useless). I was in the city till 9am. When heading home to Armadale I arrived at Flinders St station and found that I could not enter the station as the system thought I had not left! I was forced to jump the gate to enter the station. As a result of not being able to click off earlier in the morning at Flinders St station I was charged a full days travel when clicking off at Armadale station. The MyKi campaign states we all must simply 'click on and click off' but the gates at Flinders St station DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO CLICK OFF when travelling before 7am. So simple. So stupid to turn off gates at stations.

  Josh Friday 26 February, 2010 - 5:38 PM

• overdue/overbudget.why hasn't the government sued the supplier ??that surely would be a normal commercial resolution.

  thomas vesely Wednesday 17 February, 2010 - 9:15 PM

• as a user of the previous,faultless system,i want to know,why was this 5 legged pig introduced?what improvement was sought.another way of asking.who got the bribes?who ? how much? or what job was provided?as far as i am concerned guilty until proven otherwise.this one reeks.

  thomas vesely Wednesday 17 February, 2010 - 12:39 PM

• wait for the smart electricity meters,more fiasco

  thomas vesely Wednesday 17 February, 2010 - 11:05 AM

• what was wrong with previous system??i have been using it frequently with no problems ever since its inception.i don't understand ??

  thomas vesely Saturday 13 February, 2010 - 10:38 PM

• So I bought a 12-month Myki zone 1 pass and instantly regretted it. Why? Because I was led to believe that if I don't 'touch off' at my home station I would be charged the 'default fare'. In other words, the system would assume that I continued into zone 2 and charge me the difference between my zone 1 fare (which was covered by my pass) and a zone 2 fare.

  My problem with this is twofold. Firstly, the sensor gizmos at suburban stations have a nasty habit of being out of order meaning you couldn't swipe off even if you wanted to. Secondly, even if the sensors are working, touching off isn't a problem when you're the only one using the system. But what about when everyone's using it and you have to deal with lengthy queues?

  But good news. After spending 45 minutes on hold with Myki I learnt that if you fail to touch off in zone 1, you will only be charged the default fare if the next time you touch on you do so in zone 2. But if you touch on in zone 1, the system assumes that the last time you 'alighted' (underused word) you must have done so in zone 1. Meaning no extra charge.

  So this means in practice that I never have to touch off. Eminently sensible arrangement I say. Kudos to Myki.

  Ed Gein Thursday 11 February, 2010 - 11:37 PM

• Lenny, blame John Brumby.

  The myki contract was awarded by John Brumby and his Labor mates to the KAMCO consortium in July 2005 for $494 million. You can find the media release at www.dpc.vic.gov.au/pressrel and part of the contract at www.contracts.vic.gov.au

  KAMCO had no experience in delivering such a smartcard system.

  The current members of KAMCO are software supplier, data processor and financial reconciler Caritor (an Indian company) trading as Keane; myki smartcard supplier and mailhouse Giesecke and Devrient Australasia; hardware (i.e ticketing) equipment supllier Affiliated Computer Systems of the United States.

  Australian company ERG Group was formerly a member but was kicked out in 2009. It has now become two separate companies, Vix-ERG and Videlli, one of which has launched court action about myki.

  myki should have been operating throughout Melbourne and Victoria by 1 March 2007. It isn't.

  Info Tuesday 2 February, 2010 - 11:39 PM

• Neil, NO it's not a new problem, it's just an ongoing one from the day an unproven ticketing system was awarded to a relatively inexperienced company. I'd love to know who awarded the contract. Wouldn't it be cheaper to just scrap the whole thing & BUY an existing PROVEN system?

  Lenny Tuesday 2 February, 2010 - 4:37 PM

• I am all for progress, but Myki was unecessary from the start. The whole thing is an embarrassment and anyone who buys a Myki ticket at the moment is mad! Wait until they have spent another $500 million fixing it up.

  Luke Tuesday 2 February, 2010 - 3:49 PM

• No problems with it. If your on a pass you don't have to touch off. All is fine!

  Daniel Monday 1 February, 2010 - 10:10 PM

• Purchased a myki card at a premier station but could not load money on it as the Glen Waverley does not have room for the machine.Drove to Syndal station and put money on it .This all happened on the 18.01.2010 and it has not worked since.Complained by email and on phoning this evening they cant help me because I complained.Now I have to phone tomorrow to ANOTHER DEPARTMENT because I complained that on the original email they were going to take 28 days to reply.You have got to be joking!

  Leanne Di Tondo Monday 1 February, 2010 - 8:28 PM

• Well, I have been trying since 18 January to have my myki ticket either replaced or at the very least have someone from customer service to call me back with a resolution.

  See my card (which has a 30 day pass on it)has never worked.

  I have documentation that states the dates, names and times I have spoken to Myki, along with countless reference numbers but still no one seems to care.

  Nice one myki

  Kate McIntosh Monday 1 February, 2010 - 9:37 AM

• On Friday I topped up online. Received email advising funds would be there in 24 hours. 49 hours later the account still has a zero balance. After waiting 10 minutes to speak to someone I was advised the system refreshes every now and then and my top is somewhere in the queue. Very impressive given the myki person didn't even look up my account or the transaction reference. When asked when the funds would be in my account the response was "who knows!" This is in addition to another payment made when first registering for a myki card that is still sitting in cyberspace somewhere, despite appearing on my credit card statement. What a ridiculous system.

  michelle Sunday 31 January, 2010 - 11:27 AM

• Another MYKI moment, or moments. Here is an example of a day with MYKI, I get on the train at Richmond to go home, all OK, scan off at Cheltenham, see the low balance message on the reader, decide to top up. Go to the top up machine, guess what " out of service ". OK, go home. Get to Cheltenham this morning, need to top up as I cannot scan on with a balance at around $4 I think, so I need to top up. Go to the top up machine on the Melbourne bound side, guess what " out of service " . Mmmm, what do I do now? Ah, the ticket office, go the office at the station and ask them to top it up for me. They cannot. Apparently they don't have the equipment to top up MYKI. I ask what to do, they answer 'top up at the other end'. I said that I would be travelling illegally I think, they said not to worry. OK, get to Richmond, explain the lady at the barrier what happened and she lets me through to top up my MYKI. Guess what, its out of service. Oh my, its not even working properly on trains so why has it been launched, may as well throw it in the bin....

  Paul Friday 29 January, 2010 - 12:31 PM

• As everyone has said already, the MYKI system is a HUGE waste of funds that should have been used to actually create a state of the art rail system rather than one where trains either run late, dont run, dont cover newer suburbs, break down etc. Whats the point of a state of the art ticketing system when it's used on a rail system long past its use by date.

  I have it from good authority from someone working for the consortium who implimented MYKI and from what I hear, huge amounts of staff imported from overseas, large slush funds to entertain, sightseeing, wine and dine managers and associates.

  I think that the entire government should be on the chopping block over this one, not just the transport minister as 1.3 billion is far from chump change.

  Johnny Thursday 28 January, 2010 - 9:09 PM

• My experience of the myki system tells me that they have some serious system integration issues that will prevent widespread use. Examples:
  - quote from the call centre "it is currently taking 3 days to update an account with a credit card payment". Why can my local fish & chip shop do it instantly?
  - Myki machine at Flagstaff station doesn't accept credit card or eftpos top-ups
  - Last week my web account balance was $3, but the barriers wouldn't let me touch on, why not? Myki machine revealed my balance to be -$2.60!
  - myki terminals at suburban stations are good, updating you with "touch on/off successful" and your balance. City barriers return "CSC PASS" if it works, but if not, no info, just won't open.

  Stuart Saturday 23 January, 2010 - 8:36 AM

• Whomever it may concern,
  I'm a 16yo student and would like to apply for the myki card while its free rather than pay for the card later on. I do not have a credit card and my parents don't want to put their details on the internet, is this the only way for applying for the myki card? If not how else can you apply for one and top up your balance on your myki without the use of a credit card?
  Thanks

  Jozie Monday 18 January, 2010 - 5:06 PM

• Myki.
  I used it yesterday.
  What a poor scanning system. Myki is slow to scan after two or three attempts.
  Don't these people look at systems in use elsewhere? It seems not.
  Recently I used the Tokyo and Taipei public transport systems. Works like a dream and I can't read either of their languages!
  This amounts to a crap system, decided upon by ignorant people.
  Someone really should have a look overseas and copy some ideas that are proven to work, not invent a mediocre non-user friendly embarrasment.

  Richard Saturday 16 January, 2010 - 6:42 PM

• PRIVACY concerns have been raised over Victoria's troubled myki "smartcard", with fears the new public transport system may be used as a Big Brother-style tool to watch commuters' moves.
  The Transport Ticketing Authority has confirmed it will share commuters' travel itineraries and personal information with police
  

  The problem is that the police can obtain this information without the use of a warrant. Not only will there be an ability to track individuals, the police and others will be able to ascertain who your friends and family are. For example if you register two or more times at about the same time as another person (at a station) it is likely that that person is travelling with you. But there is more - police then (without warrant) can get the station's CCTV of you. And don't forget mobile phones can track your location as well. Police can obtain phone records without a warrant as well. In theory this should be ok, however as we have seen from the recent Ombudsman reports and OPI reports there are some corruption issues with Victoria Police.

  Peter Sunday 10 January, 2010 - 10:40 AM

• Guys,

  I'm running a survey to compare the myki website with other oublic transport website around the world. So far the numbers show that Melbournians are strughgling to use it, howvere we need more numbers. So if you haven't ordered your new myki crad here's you chance to do it and have your say about it:

  http://www.loop11.com/usability-test/2823/introduction/

  The survey takes 2 minutes, and until January 17, it's free, so you donlt need a credit card.

  hstetter Friday 8 January, 2010 - 12:36 PM

• OK I registered and hopefully it will appear in the post in a few days.
  Question
  If the scanner at the station is not working that I get on at but I swipe it at Flinders St how does it know what station I got on at???
  I am sure some scanners will be vandalised at night and will not be working early in the morning.

  Bozo Thursday 7 January, 2010 - 6:40 PM

• I think people making broad sweeping comments based on absolutely no experience should probably wait until they have experience. Unless you're the type that just rants about any topic, in which case there's no shutting you up.

  I'm with the majority, in that it seems like an insane amount of cash to purchase such a system, and have it run so horribly late. That there were existing systems in place in other parts of the world is the pretty much the first law in software engineering: don't reinvent the wheel.

  My gut feel is that its a debacle of project management and probably a few other areas of debacle; what none of us have however, is a birds eye view.

  If said elected leaders managed to produce such a load of rubbish, then vote with your ... votes.

  All your comments aside from that are pretty much nonsense and chest-beating. I don't think the minister will be reading this blog, to alleviate your vitriol. Pull out the PDF of the expenditure report, summarize it, and then we'll know how badly we got screwed.

  Until then little Ms Smith and Mr Bob arking up about how they liked the old system is just a lot of luddite crap, until its backed up with facts.

  Joe Tuesday 5 January, 2010 - 12:28 AM

• Geoff,
  Are we (the taxpayer) going to be allowed to know the full cost of the whole myki system, and is there any data available to show what the projected long term savings of the system will be? Josh.

  Joshua Schuster Thursday 31 December, 2009 - 4:14 PM

• Like most things the Brumby Government has implemented, MYKI is a monumental stuff-up, so what's new?

  $1.3+ billion dollars...???

  What a disgrace. Anyone can see how this 'go for broke' government needs to steal from people through the likes of the Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution. Their financial mismanagement means they are going to steal from anywhere, everywhere and by any which means possible.
  Premier Brumby; as for 'spin doctors', and by that I mean the likes of Jean Ker Walsh, they don't have much upstairs, so long as they have a smile in their voice, isn't this so, and indeed what the good Doctor ordered, Spin Doctor John...???

  Happy New Year Lenny :-)

  Gerard Wednesday 30 December, 2009 - 6:39 PM

• good morning. my two boys use train and bus to get to school. they dont need to carry two types of tickets. just myki will do ??

  wayne Wednesday 30 December, 2009 - 11:53 AM

• I have used Myki in Ballarat and yes it does work but so slow.
  If it is so slow with only a thousand users imagine how slow it is going to be when 50,000 users a day,
  hey jean ker Walsh Myki spoksperson you better not take any holidays over this next month as you are going to have your work cut out trying to cover up the complete stuff up that will happen early in the new year when people return to work.

  Bozo Friday 18 December, 2009 - 8:42 PM

• This has been a right royal stuff-up from go to whoa. First the controvesy over the selection of the contractor, next the additional payments Victorians have kicked in for a system that won't work. Its 3 years behind, so they employ a spin doctor to make excuses. Go to theage.com.au and watch the video "How's Myki Travelling" this will give you an idea of what you're in for.

  adrian Thursday 17 December, 2009 - 10:51 PM

• A recent survey of regional commuters using myki showed most believe the myki ticketing system is working well and makes using public transport easier. More than two million trips have now been made by myki users in regional Victoria so this clearly indicates customers are using the system.
  .
  Customers do not have to pay $9 for myki staff to look into whether their card isn't working. If your myki stops working through no fault of your own, it will be replaced free of charge. If a customer has damaged their myki to the point that it no longer works, a $9.80 fee applies for a replacement card to be sent out.
  .
  Jean Ker Walsh
  myki Spokesperson

  mykimate Thursday 17 December, 2009 - 10:19 AM

• We don;t use Myki in Geelong either, everyone just uses short term tickets as we are sick of being overcharged and putting money on our myki that doesnt go on. To pay $9 for someone to have a look into why my myki isn't working, when it is their system is just a joke. Good luch Melbourne! It is a same the myki people are not listening to current myki customers on the street.

  Brian Friday 11 December, 2009 - 9:08 AM

• As the PTUA has already pointed out, seniors will enjoy all the same benefits they have under Metcard. The Seniors myki will automatically contain the Sunday Pass, which gives you free travel on Sundays within two consecutive zones (e.g. Zones 1 and 2). Seniors using myki on weekdays will pay only $3.30 for a daily fare, saving 10 cents on the current Seniors Daily Metcard price for unlimited travel in zone 1+2. Seniors will pay only $3 maximum for travel in zones 1 and 2 on Saturdays and public holidays, and remember Sundays are free.

  Myki works the same way as 2 hour Metcards. For example, passengers who touch on one minute past the hour will still have up to 2hrs 59mins before their ticket expires. Just like Metcard, the ticket is still valid for a journey as long as you touch on before the end of that period.

  For more information visit the myki website: www.myki.com.au

  Jean Ker Walsh
  myki Spokesperson

  mykimate Tuesday 8 December, 2009 - 9:52 AM

• Geoff, the seniors discounts under Metcard will be much the same under Myki; just the tickets will be different.
  .
  Adam, what you've been told is wrong. Under Myki the 2-hours will start from the next hour, as it does under Metcard. Sounds like some of the Myki Mates need more training.

  Daniel Bowen (Public Transport Users Association) Monday 7 December, 2009 - 5:35 PM

• Clearly, Myki is a square peg being made to fit a round hole. Since it was such an expensive peg, they are going to make sure it fits, by bashing it in with a sledge hammer. The problem then is that once it is in, it is nearly impossible to get out, whether it works or not.

  Luke Monday 7 December, 2009 - 1:23 PM

• What happens if you want to claim the Seniors Discount fare

  Geoff Monday 7 December, 2009 - 12:34 PM

• Under the old system if you get on a tram or train at 1 minute past the hour you get 3 hours to start your last trip, under the new system it will be only 2 hours timed to the minute, therefore you only get 2 hours. So we are going to be ripped off by hour, The Myki fluffies have told me that all will be timed to the minute, so 1 minute past the hour will be to 1 minute past the hour, 2 hours later.

  So it will cost us more.

  People in Geelong tell me they swipe off after a few stops, then don't when they get off to avoid the 2 hour rule and because it takes too long if everyone trys to swipe as they get off, as the readers error a lot, then you have to wait to retry.

  Adam

  Adam Monday 7 December, 2009 - 7:04 AM

• MYKI is a joke. We don't use it anymore in Bendigo. Please stop it. Brumby,you will lose the election with your Myki....

  Chris Thursday 3 December, 2009 - 7:26 PM

• I'm a new listener to 3aw. With all the Myki issue wouldn't be easier just for the government to employ people to work at the station, tram and buses. At least if there is a problem you have someone to tell not a machine. To me its seem that they only care about is the bottomline to their profits..I remember arriving in Melbourne some 25 years ago..I still remember getting on the tram for the first time and there was someone there helping me and my parents to purchase a ticket so that we can go to the city.Bring back the contractors I say

  Thomas Nguyen Thursday 3 December, 2009 - 3:14 PM

• Why can't we just have a quick and simple system that calculates the cost of your fare by working out the distance or zones you have travelled. This eliminates the time issue when a train, tram or bus is cancelled or delayed. Why is Melbourne's Public Transport System such a nightmare?? Running Public Transport surely can't be rocket science \ o /

  Tony Friday 27 November, 2009 - 4:03 PM

• why cant I just buy a ticket for a fee and activate it when I enter the vehicle. That way a late or cancelled vehicle wouldnt matter. that 2hr ticket would allow me to travel anywhere for 2 hours in say any metro zone.
  small change purchase would mean less fare evasion or disputes.

  David Friday 27 November, 2009 - 10:54 AM

• James, adult Yearly ticketholders will be sent details of how to exchange their Yearly for a Myki Yearly Pass. But 2009 Student Passholders (expiring in early 2010)? Not sure, but it seems unlikely that they would replace them with only a couple of months to go. More likely you'll get a Myki when you buy your pass for 2010. You might like to ring 13-MYKI to check though.

  Daniel Bowen (Public Transport Users Association) Wednesday 25 November, 2009 - 1:08 PM

• If we have a student yearly, will we be able to exchange it for a myki with a pass? or will we have to wait until next year when we buy a new yearly?

  james Monday 23 November, 2009 - 3:51 PM

• Rob, it's not the same under Metcard as Myki. There is a specific rule change which means bus and tram users may get charged again where they don't now. (Not trains, only trams and buses.)
  .
  Graham, appreciate your comments. The government has not been giving clear answers to the questions people have, so we decided to step-in, both here and on our web site http://www.ptua.org.au/2009/11/18/myki-qa/ Over the weekend they've finally added some useful information to the official Myki web site. http://www.myki.com.au/Q-A/default.aspx Better late than never!
  .
  If there are specific issues where the Myki Mates have given different responses, we'd be interested to hear them, but we are aware of cases where the Myki Mates and the Myki Call Centre have given answers that have later been verified to be incorrect.

  Daniel Bowen (Public Transport Users Association) Monday 23 November, 2009 - 1:38 PM

• Good to see Daniel Bowen is answering for the Government.

  It's just a shame he is supposed to be on our side not theirs.

  We are paying people to do this job so why has he got to do it?

  Some of the answers Daniel has given are different to what the Myki people at Spencer Street are saying to me, So either they are wrong or his interpritation of the system is.
  I suspect the later,
  Daniel let the Government fight their own battles and then if they are wrong we will have it in writing and can use it in court against them in the need arises.

  Graham

  Graham Monday 23 November, 2009 - 11:38 AM

• Neil is right that the train cancellations is a problem for some commuters but that has got absolutly nothing to do with the introduction of Myki. The current system already uses 2-hour tickets which can catch people out if trains are running late. It's an intrinsic flaw in a system that ecompasses multiple transport methods. Stop pointing the blame at Myki and give it a fair go.

  Rob Hunter Saturday 21 November, 2009 - 2:35 PM

• Andy, you will still be able to buy single-use 2-hour and Daily "Short Term Tickets" from the machines or from staffed stations. You won't have to get a Myki to travel.
  ...

  Jo Ko, most of the current pensioner pricing will be the same: concession or Seniors Daily fares, free Sunday travel etc. We understand Sunday Pass holders will be sent a Myki to replace their existing Sunday Pass, which should get you access to the appropriate fare automatically.

  Daniel Bowen (Public Transport Users Association) Friday 20 November, 2009 - 1:04 PM

• if i only travel a few times a year how do i buy tickets

  andy Friday 20 November, 2009 - 10:38 AM

• Just went to the myki website to find out how pensioners will be affected, has NO information at all, the most limited useless website I've ever been to. And how does someone in a wheelchair touch off (sounds like american football to me!). Useless.

  Jo Ko Friday 20 November, 2009 - 8:35 AM

• Kate, the fares from Bacchus Marsh will be the same, except that Bacchus Marsh will properly join Zone 2 (at the moment the price from Bacchus Marsh to Melbourne is the same price as a zone 1+2 fare, but the fare conditions aren't identical). So your $10.60 fare will cover all your travel around Melbourne for a day, including to/from Bacchus Marsh.

  If you get a Myki card (instead of buying short term tickets each day), the $10.60 daily fare will drop to $9.92 instead, and on weekends and public holidays you will also get the cheap $3 weekend daily fare for travel anywhere in zone 1+2.

  Daniel Bowen (Public Transport Users Association) Wednesday 18 November, 2009 - 12:35 PM

• how are the daily tickets work, my daily from bacchus marsh costs 10.60 and includes zone one and two, a one way costs 5.80 if i want to visit family on other side of town and then go home am i going to be charged extra for this trip that i have already paid for.

  Kate Campbell Wednesday 18 November, 2009 - 10:56 AM

• What a big waste of time and money has this Myki been.
  What is wrong with our present system. It works well, and I have never had a problem. Just another stuff up by this current pathetic government.

  Jan George Wednesday 18 November, 2009 - 9:09 AM

• Terry, when Myki starts, we're advising all users to keep a close eye on their transactions (watch the scanners as you go, use the blue enquiry machines, or use the Myki web site), and be ready to ring 13-MYKI and ask for a refund if the system goes wrong and over-charges you.

  Luke, the charging under Myki will be very similar to Metcard. Still paying by the zone, and 2-hour/daily etc. Some people would prefer per-km charging (as in Hong Kong or Singapore), but at least the zone system is easy to understand and fares are predictable, and it doesn't penalise you if you have to transfer vehicles to complete your trip.

  Daniel Bowen (Public Transport Users Association) Tuesday 17 November, 2009 - 6:40 PM

• I thought we were going to pay per trip on the MYKI system, so cancelled trains shouldn't matter. It sounds like we have spent billions for what we already have.

  Luke Tuesday 17 November, 2009 - 5:47 PM

• The Premier knew each of the positive points to Mitchell's questions, anything negative he responded with I am not sure, don't know or will have to check....as a role model I would think the office of Premier is not permitted to be dishonest at any time or in any form.
  Shouldn't Neil ask him to resign?????

  When is a lie a lie Tuesday 17 November, 2009 - 4:10 PM

• Every time Ker-Walshe turns up the term fair go is all off the place. It must be the latest spin term to make us feel trusting.

  Note the cliche "fair go" Tuesday 17 November, 2009 - 4:06 PM

• Here we go again another stuff up from the goverment How can they charge you twice for a trip and not refund you ?
  When the swipe moniters dont work are they going to refund your money .
  Im afraid the minister is not up to the task ,this is at 2 years late ,and the final cost will be tabled at next years budget.
  This government couldn't run a brothel with a hand full of fivers

  Terry from Berwick Tuesday 17 November, 2009 - 2:57 PM

• Lowie, our understanding is that once Myki comes in, existing entitlements will still apply to vision-impaired users, and others entitled to free travel, including those using Companion Cards.

  Daniel Bowen (Public Transport Users Association) Tuesday 17 November, 2009 - 2:26 PM

• What is going to happen to Vision Impaired people? Will they have to swipe their cards when they exit a vehicle? What happens to their Companion Card user? Will the Companion have to pay because they have their own card, or will there be a special Companion card to ensure free travel for them?

  LOWIE Tuesday 17 November, 2009 - 1:24 PM

• The Auditor general reported the company that was given the contract had never, that is NEVER, developed a solution nor did it have expertise in this type of solution. Brumby said this morning the most appropriate company received the contract.How??
  Can I ask, what member of the Labor party or donor to the Labor party was connected to the successful bid?

  Yep, we are fools John Tuesday 17 November, 2009 - 1:00 PM

• Bozo, it's probably worth pointing out that both HK and London have trams, as well as trains and buses. HK doesn't have a zone system, but London certainly does.

  Catherine, you'll be able to buy a pass for 7 days, or anything from 28 to 365 days. For Zone 1+2, the 7-day pass will be $49.60, the same cost as a Metcard weekly now. For Zone 1+2, the Myki price for 28-365 days is $5.56 per day, so 28 days will cost $155.68; 30 days will cost $166.80. Your monthly Metcard is valid for 28-31 days depending on the month, so the cost under Myki will be pretty similar - a little cheaper sometimes and a little more expensive others.

  If you want to read heaps more about how it'll work, check the Fares And Ticketing Manual (Myki) on the Metlink web site: http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/fares-tickets/victorian-fares-and-ticketing-manual-myki/

  Daniel Bowen (Public Transport Users Association) Tuesday 17 November, 2009 - 12:52 PM

• Spin doctors (especially with hyphenated names such as Kerr-Walsh) should be tracked to record the lies that they have spun against what actually eventuates.

  Peter Lovel Tuesday 17 November, 2009 - 12:36 PM

• Brumby is no good
  

  Tommy Smith Tuesday 17 November, 2009 - 12:22 PM

• A question was asked to Brumby why we did not just buy the Singapore or HK system.
  His answer was we have Trams and Trains and Buses. HK only have trains and Buses.
  What is the difference is travel between a tram and a bus?
  NONE whatsever.
  Brumby has not got a clue and will not admit that this Myki system has been a complete failure from the start
  Mitchell was too slow in picking up this stupid answer so he could have had Brumby explain why Trams are different from Buses.

  Bozo Tuesday 17 November, 2009 - 12:01 PM

• you can not only buy a 28 day pass, but any length of time between a 28 day and a yearly. So you could buy a 100 day pass or a 150 day pass. They are charged at the same rate as a monthly is now. Most long term users are going to pay exactly the same under myki. Things will be no different. a complete waste of money, really!

  lomlate Tuesday 17 November, 2009 - 11:23 AM

• What I want to know is with the new MYKI system, currently I but a monthly ticket which is valid for 30 days, I pay $169 a month for it. With the new Myki system isn't it only 28 day passes available for that price, and how are they going to do the Monthly passes are they available or is it on a trip by trip basis? Because if it is then it's going to end up more expensive for a lot of city workers out there!

  Catherine Tuesday 17 November, 2009 - 11:10 AM

• I will only ask a few simple questions. Why are we having Myki? What is wrong with the current system? Yes I know simple questions. I am yet to hear some simple answers.

  Myki Mouse Tuesday 17 November, 2009 - 10:56 AM

• Will current non MYKI tickets be valid indefinately or will I lose all my money like I did with the Scratch tickets when they got superseded?

  Jenny Morsby Tuesday 17 November, 2009 - 10:48 AM

• Adam, you will still be able to travel on weekends on a Weekly/Monthly/Yearly pass under Myki.

  The difference is that with Metcard if you pay for one zone, you get the other Melbourne zone as a bonus on weekends for free; perfect for inner-city people to go visit Puffing Billy etc. This bonus zone is being removed under Myki; instead you'll pay an extra fee for the other zone.

  This web page has some more details: http://www.ptua.org.au/2009/10/06/myki-coming-to-melb/

  Daniel Bowen (Public Transport Users Association) Tuesday 17 November, 2009 - 10:36 AM

• Note that the problem with potentially paying extra for late or cancelled services only applies to trams and buses, not trains.

  At present with Metcard if you, say, have a ticket expiring at 2pm, and were at the bus/tram stop in time for a 1:55pm service, but it was delayed or cancelled and it turns up after 2pm, you can still travel. Under Myki you'll end up paying again.

  On trains, under both Metcard and Myki, provided you've already entered the platform and validated your ticket before its expiry time, you can travel even if the train is delayed/cancelled and the next service turns up after the expiry time.

  If you were paying for travel all day anyway, it doesn't matter, but if you were watching your budget and wanted to go do a bit of shopping on the bus/tram and be heading back before your 2-hour ticket expired, you may end up paying extra under Myki if the service is delayed.

  Daniel Bowen (Public Transport Users Association) Tuesday 17 November, 2009 - 10:12 AM

• I purchase a yearly ticket each year, which includes weekends, they are not for free, I pay for them in the cost of the yearly. If they are to remove the weekends, I expect a 2/7 reduction in the price of the yearly. The yearly ticket works we for me. I can travel when I want and where I want for a fixed cost I pay once a year (meaning I do not have to worry about having fare.) I do not want this to change.

  Adam Tuesday 17 November, 2009 - 10:08 AM

• I think myki has got stuff up written all over it!!

  Tristan Tuesday 17 November, 2009 - 10:03 AM