Mobile Myki may become a reality as Victoria prepares to launch Android trial

It's hoped that Android-based smartphones will allow passengers to pay for public transport in the near future.

Public transport users swipes a Myki Card. Source: AAP

The State Government of Victoria has announced that it will launch a trial for a 'Mobile Myki' system that will allow the passenger to pay for travel on public transport through Android smartphones.

A custom-built smartphone app will use communication technology to integrate with existing Myki ticket barriers and card readers across the state's buses, trains, and trams throughout the Myki zone.

With the use of the new technology, passengers will have a facility to top up on the go, check the balance of their Myki, avoid queues for ticketing machines and reduce the chance of forgetting or losing their physical card.

Moreover, passengers will be able to top up with Myki money or a Myki pass as they use currently.

Ashish Kale, an international student studying in Melbourne. Source: Ashish Kale

Indian student and frequent passenger of Victoria's public transport system, Ashish Kale says, "Mobile Myki will be the huge relief for a customer like me, as it will allow us to do all the top up and balance related tasks on the mobile."

According to Public Transport Victoria, "The trial for Mobile Myki will begin in the coming months, and 1000 industry based participants will be given an opportunity to use the android based application."

Individuals from the community will also be given a chance to try the Mobile Myki application.

Mobile Myki will be used to touch on and off even with the black screen of a mobile - passengers won't have to open their phone to touch on and off.

A frequent passenger of public transport, Vaibhav Deshpande. Source: Vaibhav Deshpande

"If Mobile Myki is launched, it will be a great move for public transport industry as the new facility will save our time by avoiding queues for ticketing and its touch on and off facility will add more flavour into it," says Vaibhav Deshpande who also regularly uses the train and bus network to and from his work.

Full trial until early 2019

The entire trial for Mobile Myki is expected to run until early 2019 before a decision is made about making Mobile Myki available for public use in the new year.

Existing Myki card will be in use

The existing physical Myki card will continue to remain in use during and after the trial.

There are more than 12 million active cards and 700 million transactions each year done through Myki ticketing systems.