Marion Jones said the new ticketing system was impractical for infrequent users like her. PICTURE: ADAM TRAFFORD
The controversial myki saga continues with the impending introduction of the transport ticketing system to regional Victoria.
Later this year Ballarat train commuters will switch over to the myki system. Melbourne commuters made the official change from Metcard last month.
Public Transport Victoria spokeswoman Donna Watson said the myki card will be available on all journeys between Ballarat and Melbourne later in the year. There has been no decision to change fares at this stage.
“When myki begins on V/Line inter-urban services later this year, passengers travelling from Ballarat will be able to use their card from the beginning to the end of their journey – from taking a trip on their local bus, to a V/Line service to the city, and all around Melbourne on trains, trams and buses,” she said.
Confusion among commuters still lingers, with many regional train users asking questions about its benefits compared with buying a daily V/line ticket.
Wendouree’s Marion Jones said she felt having money sitting on a myki card would go to waste, as she was not a regular user.
“I guess it would be fine it you were a constant traveller, but if you’re like me and travelling odd times to Melbourne, it’s unpractical to carry around,” she said.
Mother of three Angie McMurray said she still hadn’t fully comprehended the changes the myki introduction meant to zone travelling in Melbourne and was worried that touching on and off will be difficult with a family.
“If you forget to scan one on a tram or train, there goes all the money on it. You don’t have to worry about that with your V/line ticket” she said.
Currently a V/line ticket includes travel across zone 1 and 2 on the metropolitan network but until myki rolls out on V/line, regional passengers will need a myki to travel beyond the free Melbourne travel they receive with their V/Line ticket.
“With the V/Line transition to myki, all regional areas will be classified by zones. For example, a regional fare from Ballarat in Zone 8 to Melbourne in Zone 1 will cover travel right across zone 1 and 2 on the metropolitan network, and all zones in between,” Ms Watson said.
Myki was introduced to enable the use of one durable card rather than passengers needing to buy multiple tickets for different regions.
The sale of Metcards on Melbourne’s rail network ceased last year, and all transport in Melbourne now runs on the myki system.
alicia.thomas@fairfaxmedia.com.au
