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Wednesday June 19, 2013

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Melbourne braces as Myki takes over

Posted by: Gail Watson | 28 December, 2012 - 9:36 AM
Neil Mitchell says Myki is another fine 'Bastards Incorporated' product.

A Melbourne hostel is bracing for an influx of public transport fines as the system moves from Metcard to Myki.

From tomorrow Myki will be the only option with no disposable one-off tickets being sold.

Melbourne accommodation providers say they already receive public transport fines as tourists refuse to buy MYKI cards.

Manager of the Elephant Backpacker Hostel Cara Wileman says visitors shun MYKI cards because they're too expensive and complex.

"They (hostel guests) will ask how the system works and I'll explain that they need to buy a card, they have put money on and they have to actually pay to get the card," she told 3AW News.

"A lot of the time they will actually opt not to purchase it because it's too difficult and they don't have a lot of money because they are travelling,"

"We probably get 3 or 4 (fines) every two days or so" she said.

Blog comments Your Say

  • Don't worry fellers; once Myki has killed off tourism, city business and the public transport system; no doubt Labor will be back in power so we can properly hold them to account.

    David T. Monday 31 December, 2012 - 4:22 PM

  • Nothing wrong with having a loaner hostel Myki card with an upfront deposit and getting the guest to pay after the event when the travel cost details come online.

    The ticket isn't issued to an individual, is it? It doesn't matter who pays for the fare as long as it is paid, does it?

    Lazy whining and can't be bothered to keep account of a plastic card on temporary loan. Please don't make it hard for the rest of the community.

    Solmon's Sword Monday 31 December, 2012 - 1:33 PM

  • It's to bloody expensive for tourists. I bring my family of five from abroad to Melbourne, I have to buy 5 of these cards that I will use once. That's $100 spent before I even pay for a fare. It's a scam targeting tourists and a severe blight on Melbourne as a tourist friendly destination. We will spend our tourist dollars in the other cities.

    Rattana Kaewmuang - Chiangmai Thailand Monday 31 December, 2012 - 10:30 AM

  • I am a pensioner and live in Mulwala, NSW and travel by train to Melbourne at least five times a year in order to shop and to see matinees of any stage shows which interest me. I used to be able to get free city travel on trams and trains with my train fare. I have looked to see if this is continuing, but can find no information. If not then I am quite apprehensive about traveling around the city on public transport. How do I know how much my travel in the city will cost? How much money is going to be wasted by topping up my MYKI card with more than is needed?
    Myki is expensive for Australian pensioners as only Victorian Seniors are eligible for an initial free MYKI card.

    Gabrielle Graham Monday 31 December, 2012 - 9:21 AM

  • Labor incompetent morons created the mess>!!

    Steve Friday 28 December, 2012 - 7:56 PM

  • ted the toff slammed myki from day one and didnt let up untill the day he became premier.(there will be no myki under the liberal goverment i lead).we can thank ted for a joke of a ticketing system.its the liberal way...........

    garry Friday 28 December, 2012 - 6:24 PM

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