MyWay (ticketing system)

The MyWay card is a form of electronic ticketing used on public transport services within Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory. It is promoted by Transport Canberra and is valid on ACTION buses and Canberra Light Rail.[2]

MyWay
LocationCanberra
LaunchedFebruary 2011
Technology
OperatorNEC
ManagerTransport Canberra
CurrencyAUD ($120 maximum load)
Stored-valuePay as you go
Credit expiry2 years if inactive, otherwise never[1]
Auto rechargeAuto top-up
Validity
Retailed
  • Online
  • Canberra Connect shopfronts
  • MyWay Centres
  • MyWay Recharge agents
Websitewww.transport.act.gov.au

MyWay (2011-2024)

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The MyWay card uses contactless smart cards with MIFARE technology onto which credit is loaded. Passengers are required to 'tag on' when boarding the bus or entering a light rail station and 'tag off' when exiting, at which point the appropriate fare is calculated and deducted from the stored value on the MyWay card. MyWay cards were made available to ACT Seniors Card-holders on 21 February 2011 and released to the remainder of the community on 7 March 2011.[3]

The MyWay system used Parkeon software and equipment including Wayfarer 200 consoles[4] and Axio card readers.[5] The system was built and installed by Parkeon's Australian distributor, Downer EDI.[6] Instead of being developed from scratch, MyWay was adapted from Transperth's SmartRider system which also uses Parkeon hardware and software.[7]

A further 5% discount (for single-trip fares) applies if a MyWay card is topped up using direct debit or BPAY.[8]

The card was issued to the general community including school and tertiary students on 7 March 2011. ACTION's old magnetic strip tickets continued to be valid during a transition period until 11 April 2011.[3] In September 2017, Transport Canberra began looking for a replacement ticketing system to coincide with the opening of the light rail.

The MyWay system is being replaced with MyWay+.[9] It was turned off on 20 September 2024.[10][11]

MyWay+ (2024-)

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Announced in early 2023, NEC was awarded the contract to create the new MyWay+ ticketing system for the ACT.[12] This new system is ready for operation in November 2024 and will include debit/credit card, mobile phone and physical card tap-and-go payments.[13] The system will also include paper tickets, real-time route information and passenger numbers, more advanced journey planning and concession payments.[9]

References

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  1. ^ "Conditions - Transport Canberra". Transport Canberra. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  2. ^ "MyWay". Transport Canberra. Archived from the original on 12 February 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  3. ^ a b Welcome to MyWay - the new, easier way to travel on ACTION buses Transport for Canberra
  4. ^ "Wayfarer 200". Parkeon. Archived from the original on 23 September 2010. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
  5. ^ "Axio". Parkeon. Archived from the original on 21 September 2010. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
  6. ^ "Parkeon wins again down under" (Press release). Parkeon. Retrieved 9 April 2010.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ Banks, Lisa (24 August 2011). "Canberra MyWay user base reaches 86,000". Computerworld. Archived from the original on 11 January 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  8. ^ "Add Value to a MyWay Card". Transport Canberra. Archived from the original on 23 February 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  9. ^ a b "MyWay+". Transport Canberra. 5 September 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  10. ^ Free public transport for Canberra during MyWay+ transition Australasian Bus & Coach 6 September 2024
  11. ^ MyWay+ transition commenced Friday 20 September Transport Canberra 6 September 2024
  12. ^ "Use an app with real-time updates, tap on with your smartphone: ACT's public transport ticketing overhaul". ABC News. 26 February 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  13. ^ "Timeline revealed for ACT's long-awaited bus, light rail ticket upgrade". Canberra Times. 8 May 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
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