2 months ago
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January 23, 2026 — 9:17am
Victorians are getting closer to being able to tap on and off public transport with their phones or bank cards instead of myki cards, as a trial for the upgraded payment method is to begin early next month.
Following the installation of nearly 3000 new ticket readers at almost 280 myki-enabled stations, the Allan government will begin a “small number of controlled, closed-group trials” for the updated payment system in early February.
Department of Transport and Planning staff will be the first to test the new tap-on, tap-off payments with different bank cards and smart devices over a three-day period.
Public trials will then begin following the initial testing period, which will allow passengers at selected stations to take part and provide feedback. The full switch to contactless payment methods will come into effect at all myki-enabled train stations soon after.
Once the payment upgrades are fully rolled out, travellers will be able to choose their preferred payment form, from physical credit and debit cards, as well as electronic cards on smartphones and smartwatches.
Public Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams said the trials were a critical next step in rolling out tap-and-go payments.
“[It will allow] us to test the technology in real-world conditions and make sure the system works smoothly before it’s switched on for passengers,” Williams said.
“In the coming months, passengers will be able to touch on using a credit or debit card, a smartphone or a smartwatch – starting on trains, then rolling out across the rest of the network.”
Until the changes are rolled out, myki is the only contactless payment method available.
Information on how to participate in the public trials will be made available by the government soon.
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