Myki - Benefits

Benefits

The system currently has the following benefits:

• It will calculate the "best fare" (i.e. the cheapest) although this only applies to myki money users and not to myki pass holders.
• Fares for 2-hour and daily use are charged at lower rates than current 2-hour and daily Metcards, although when multi-use Metcards were still available, such as 10x2-hour Metcards, there was no price benefit. For example, a 2-hour Zone 1 full-fare Metcard costs $4, but the myki fare is $3.28.
• Touch-off is not necessary at all on the tram network for 95% of passengers, unless their journey begins and ends entirely within the zone 1/2 overlap section (only present at the very suburban end of routes 75, 86 and 109). This is due to the fact that the default fare on the tram network (unlike the train and bus networks) is a 2-hour zone 1 fare, meaning touching off in zone 1 is completely pointless if any part of a passenger's journey is within zone 1. Touch-off for that journey will then occur next time the passenger touches on for a consequent journey
• A myki card can be topped up (recharged) away from the public transport system, eliminating the requirement for passengers to carry sufficient cash, and reducing queues at vending machines and while boarding buses.
• Data sharing - the Transport Ticketing Authority intends to share myki data with external agencies such as the police to assist with criminal investigations.
• In theory, the travel data collected could be used to improve the efficiency of the public transport system.
• The myki system provides the opportunity to charge by distance travelled, rather than charging using the current zonal set-up.
• If placed correctly in a wallet or purse, myki does not need to be removed in order to touch on or off.
• As more people make the switch to myki, its reusable and durable nature means that there will be less paper wasted on ticketing.
• Passengers with registered myki tickets have the ability to view their travel history, detailing their exact touch on and off times, as well as the service used, the zones travelled in and the fare charged.
• If a registered myki is lost or stolen it is possible to cancel it and receive a new one, transferring the value from the old card to the new one. Customers with defective or damaged cards can also gain replacements free of charge. Customers wishing to gain a refund of travel funds on the card can also do so. Previously a $9.80 administrative fee was charged for each of these services; the government has since abolished all fees for these actions.
• Like Hong Kong's Octopus card system, myki could eventually be used more widely as electronic money. However in 2007, rollout concerns prompted the then Minister for Public Transport to focus the application of myki on transport fare payments before embarking on other retail concepts.