Seven years in the making, MyWay+ set to debut in 2024 (and there'll be a demo bus to practise on)

Canberra commuters will be able to test run the ACT’s new bus and light rail ticketing system on a demonstration bus Transport Canberra will roll out in the first half of next year.

Transport Minister Chris Steel said the government was working with supplier NEC on the final design of the MyWay card replacement, to be known as MyWay+.

The new system will allow passengers to pay for their travel with a contactless mobile payment system using a phone app, smartwatch, traditional travel card or credit/debit card to tap on and off and deliver real-time information and a journey planner to commuters.

Mr Steel explained the government expected the new system to be rolled out in the second half of 2024.

“I’m really looking forward to the announcement of a new MyWay+ demonstration bus, which will be part of a significant education campaign that will be rolled out in the lead-up to the new ticketing system,” he said.

Mr Steel added that the hardware to be installed on buses and light rail vehicles had been ordered.

“We expect that to ride next year so we can start that education campaign with the community ahead of the actual system going live in the second half of the year,” Mr Steel said.

He said the work on the MyWay+ design was on schedule.

“When we announced the ticketing partner earlier in the year, we said that it would take around 12 months of design and implementation, so we’re still on track,” Mr Steel said

When ready, the new ticketing system will be implemented in stages.

In February, the government announced it had secured tech firm NEC to supply the next-generation ticketing system, seven years after it was first flagged.

Details of the contract to develop, deliver and operate the new system emerged in May, with the deal worth $64 million over 10 years.

MyWay+ will cover multiple travel modes across light rail, bus, cycling, walking, e-scooter and rideshare/taxi options, providing information about each, such as accessible stops/stations and paths.

The aim is to be a simple, secure and seamless way for Canberra commuters to get around town.

It is also expected to minimise fare evasion and fraud.

MyWay+ is expected to produce high-quality geographical, passenger and real-time data that Transport Canberra will be able to use to manage and measure network performance, patronage and fare revenue.

NEC is working on MyWay+ from its Canberra facilities in Majura and will use a local ACT team, including staff from Transport Canberra, to operate and maintain their component of the system throughout the life of the contract.

About 25 ticket vending machines will need to be installed across the public transport system, along with more than 1000 new validators on Transport Canberra buses and light rail platforms.

The search for a provider that could deliver exactly what the territory was looking for has been dogged by delays in a fast-changing technology landscape.