Melbourne Launches Tap-and-Go Trial on Four Train Lines, Ending Myki Dependence
Melbourne is finally stepping into the tap-and-go era, with the state government confirming that public trials for contactless credit and debit card payments will launch for suburban rail commuters on Monday. This move brings the city closer to other Australian capitals that have long embraced modern ticketing technology.
Limited Trial on Specified Lines
Commuters on the Craigieburn, Upfield, Ballarat, and Seymour lines will be the first to test the technology, allowing them to bypass the physical Myki card in favor of paying via a debit or credit card, smartphone, or smartwatch. The trial, running through March and April, includes stations in the city loop, but the rollout is far from comprehensive at this stage.
Passengers transferring to trams or buses outside these trial zones will still need a Myki card – failing to use one outside the designated area will result in a fine. Additionally, the technology currently only supports full adult fares, meaning seniors, students, and healthcare card holders must continue using their Myki cards to receive discounted rates.
Catching Up with Other Cities
Melbourne has prided itself on having the world’s largest tram network, but its ticketing technology has been a persistent point of frustration for locals and tourists alike. Sydney pioneered tap-and-go technology almost a decade ago in 2017, while Perth and Brisbane both finalized their city-wide contactless networks in late 2025, and Adelaide completed its train rollout last month.
Victoria’s transport minister, Gabrielle Williams, emphasized that this limited public trial aims to "make it quicker and easier for passengers to travel" before a broader network rollout. "This public trial will ensure we have full confidence in the technology before it’s rolled out across the entire network," Williams stated.
Infrastructure and Implementation Challenges
The Victorian government first promised the new technology in 2023, with initial plans suggesting a rollout over the following two years. The Allan government has attributed delays to the massive scale of replacing infrastructure across the state. Nearly 3,000 new ticket readers were installed at 280 stations late last year to support the transition, managed by the global transport firm Conduent.
As part of the trial, colour-coded ticket readers and barriers will guide commuters on the trial lines to the new technology, and authorised officers will be present across the network to assist with the transition. This trial marks a significant milestone for the government’s $1.7 billion ticketing overhaul, a project designed to modernize a system that has long lagged behind its interstate counterparts.
