The new MyWay smartcard system for ACTION buses is underway with the mailing of letters to the ACT’s 47,000 senior card holders inviting them to apply for a combined ACT Seniors/My Way card with $10 worth of pre-loaded bus travel, Paul Peters, Director of Transport Planning within the Department of Territory and Municipal Services, said today.
“The ACT Government has worked closely with the Council on the Ageing, which will be sending out the letters, to ensure the transition to MyWay is as smooth as possible for seniors,” Mr Peters said.
Seniors who are interested in taking up the offer are asked to complete an application form enclosed with the letter and take them to any Canberra Connect Shopfront, ACT Public Library or the Council on the Ageing office in Hughes. The letters will be going out from today until Monday 7 March.
“As an added incentive, seniors who take up this offer before the end of this year’s Seniors Week on 25 March will have $10 worth of bus travel pre-loaded onto their card,” Mr Peters said.
“This first stage of the MyWay rollout will be followed by the gradual, full-scale introduction.
“Given the difficulties experienced by other cities that have implemented smartcard systems, such as Melbourne and Sydney, the ACT Government is taking a prudent approach to rolling out the new ticketing system.
“While we still expect some teething issues, we have undertaken a thorough testing process over the last six months to solve as many of these as possible.”
MyWay cards are expected to be made available to the general community on Monday, 7 March. Cash fares will continue to apply and there will be a transition period until Monday, 11 April. School students will begin using MyWay cards from the start of the second term.
Among the benefits MyWay will bring are allowing customers to recharge the cards via direct debit and BPAY to save 5% as well as quicker boarding times. The fare system has also been established so it will mean cheaper bus travel for the majority of patrons.
In addition, it will provide valuable data about where passengers get on and off buses to help plan a better network.
For more information on MyWay, visit http://www.transport.act.gov.au/ or call 13 17 10.
This page was last updated on 12 June 2023
