Passenger Rail, Technology and IT

Myki extended to smartphones under trial program

Melbourne Tram. Photo: RailGallery.com.au

A select group of Melbourne commuters will soon be able to use Android smartphones to pay for travel on public transport, under a new trial by the Victorian Government.

Using near field communication (NFC) technology, along with a specially-designed app, smartphone users will be able to use their devices to pay for their trip, instead of using a Myki card.

The trial will commence in the coming months, through a limited, industry-based test group of users on Android devices before extending to a wider, public test group later in the year.

Eventually the technology would be expanded to all smartphones, if successful.

“Over the next year we will watch how the trial goes, and make sure we get the technology right before making it available for all Victorians,” public transport minister Jacinta Allan said.

The removal of a separate Myki card from the ticketing process is a preferred idea for many commuters, allowing on-the-go top-ups, and removing the need to carry another card in their wallet.

The state said the trial will run until early 2019, before a decision will be made about making the technology available for all smartphones in the new year.