Myki-Free Travel Is Now On Trial—Here’s Everything You Need To Know

Your morning commute might be about to get a whole lot easier: Victorians are finally getting a taste of contactless ‘tap-and-go’ travel on myki fares.

From Monday, 16 March, selected train lines will allow passengers to touch on and off using Mastercard or Visa credit or debit cards, including cards kept in digital wallets. 

Which Train Lines Will Take Part In The Trial?

Passengers on the Craigieburn, Upfield, Ballarat, and Seymour train lines will be able to use contactless payments when they travel. The trial includes travel to and from the City Loop, and applies only to train passengers travelling on a full fare (sorry, students). 

For now, the trial applies only to train travel on these four lines, however, it’s a vital testing period for our transport authorities to have “full confidence in the technology before it’s rolled out across the entire network,” says Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams. 

Can You Still Use Your Existing Myki During The Trial Period? 

Of course, participation in the trial is optional; those who prefer a physical ticket may continue using their myki cards for its duration, which will run throughout March and April. 

Once the trial is complete, tap-and-go payments are set to be rolled out across remaining train lines before eventually being applied to buses and trams. 

Ready To Try Myki-Free Travel For Yourself? Here's what you need to know: 

• You must pay the full fare (no concessions) 

• Tapping on will work with a Mastercard or Visa 

• Ensure you tap on and off with the same credit/debit card, smartphone or watch 

• Hot tip: set up Express Transit in your phone’s digital wallet settings to easily tap on and off without needing to unlock your phone or device. 

For those of us prone to misplacing a myki card (or seven), these tap-and-go payments are set to be the best thing since sliced bread. (And we’ve been waiting for it since 2023).

For more information on the trial and whether you can participate, head to Transport Victoria’s website.