COMMUTERS will no longer be able to use V/Line paper tickets from next week – a prospect which may sound daunting to some.
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However a test run of myki shows commuters have nothing to fear from the change.
The full switch to the myki system means commuters will have to buy a bright green card if they haven’t done so already.
This week The Courier decided to run the system through its paces, taking a combination of trains and trams in Melbourne, making sure new myki customers would not be overcharged when using public transport.
Commuters have often complained about issues they have had with the system since it was first implemented on V/Line trains last year.
Previously, a paper ticket from V/Line guaranteed free travel in Melbourne throughout the day and cost $25.60 for a return off-peak fare from Ballarat.
Despite switching between trains and trams throughout the day and heading to different parts of Melbourne, the myki system worked as it should.
Taking away the $6 one-off payment for the card, the total journey came in 12 cents cheaper than the old paper tickets.
The journey came in 12 cents cheaper than the old paper tickets
The system even managed to calculate a $3.58 fare, charged at Glenferrie station, into the final cost.
This calculation gave The Courier a cheaper return journey to Ballarat, ensuring the correct return fare was charged. Commuters are allowed three hours of free travel around Melbourne when only travelling one-way from Ballarat, which, as we had overstayed the three hours, is the reason for the extra fare.
Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder said the full switch to the myki system was good news for commuters.
“The transition from paper tickets to myki, offers commuters a more convenient way to travel,” he said.
“You will now be able to use one ticket to travel seamlessly across much of Victoria, including connecting between trains, buses and trams.
“If you set up auto top-up or top-up online, you will never have to line up to top-up again.”
Mr Mulder said more than 70 per cent of regular commuters had already started using the myki system.
matthew.dixon@fairfaxmedia.com.au