[CT] Smartcard just the ticket for city travel

[Barry Drive]

From The Canberra Times online

BY GRAHAM DOWNIE
17 Feb, 2011 01:00 AM

A gradual introduction of Canberra's long-delayed $8million MyWay ticketing system will begin on Monday with the first two weeks' operation restricted to Seniors Card holders.

From March 7, general travellers will be able to buy MyWay smartcards and after April 10 magnetic tickets will no longer be accepted.

Until June 30, value from unused magnetic tickets will be credited to MyWay cards.

School students, at least some combining a MyWay card with their school identification, will begin using the system from the beginning of the second school term on May 2.

Seniors are being encouraged to move to the new system with the offer of $10 credit until March 25 on a combined ACT Seniors, MyWay card.

MyWay project manager Michael Lawrence said no one would pay more under the new system and most people would pay less than at present.

An important element of the new system was that people must tag on when boarding a bus and tag off when leaving.

People who did not tag off would be charged the standard $4 cash fare instead of $2.52.

This would not apply until June 30 to allow people to become used to the system.

A further 5 per cent discount would be given to people who recharge cards by direct debit and BPAY.

Unlike the present system which offers daily, weekly and monthly tickets, MyWay will use only one card.

It will allow transfers between buses within 90 minutes without additional charge, will charge less for off-peak and weekend travel, but will charge no more than $7.60 in one day or $3.80 for concessions.

Passengers will be charged for no more than 36 trips within a calendar month, capping monthly travel at $90.72, less 5 per cent for online recharging. A monthly ticket currently costs $92.50.

From March 7, MyWay $20 pre-loaded cards will be available from normal outlets.

Cards can be registered online, allowing cancellation in case of loss.

Cardholders who register online will be able to check their usage, including details of their travel, such as where they had boarded and left buses.

The contract for the supply of the MyWay system was signed about two years ago when it was estimated full operation would begin early last year.

Introduction was then targeted for late last year, then for January this year.

[Bus 400]

The photo attached to the printed version is of the entrance of Bus 473.