Transport Minister Chris Steel with driver Maddison Young at the switchover announcement. Mr Steel said the fare-free travel period would provide the community time to prepare for the change and encourage people to try bus and light rail travel as part of their daily commute. Photo: Ian Bushnell.
Public transport passengers are now catching light rail and buses for free as the system begins its six-week transition to the new MyWay+ ticketing system.
Existing MyWay equipment is being removed from buses and at light rail stops so it can be replaced with new MyWay+ validators and other hardware.
This means the old MyWay ticketing system will no longer be available. Travel on buses and light rail will be free until MyWay+ launches in November, and passengers will not be required to tap on and off during this fare-free travel period.
Both buses and light rail will continue to operate as per the normal timetable and frequency.
However, the NXTBUS information system will no longer be available. This includes real-time information onboard buses, at bus stops and interchanges, as well as the NXTBUS real-time website and SMS service.
Timetable information will still be available at interchanges, major bus stops and online, while next stop information for light rail will still be available on board and at stops.
System testing has begun and involves more than 200 Canberrans providing feedback on MyWay+ and how journey planning is working.
Transport Canberra says that although there is no longer a need for passengers to tap on and off with their MyWay card, passengers are asked to hold onto their card as the number is needed for the transfer and refund process.
People who were not able to register their MyWay card with funds before the Friday, 20 September, cut-off date are also asked to hold on to their card.
These cards can be transferred to a new MyWay+ account once the system is launched in November. Further details will be available in the coming weeks.
Transport Minister Chris Steel said earlier in the month that the decision to have a hard switchover was to avoid the public being confused by having two systems in different states of commissioning and decommissioning.
He said the fare-free travel period would provide the community time to prepare for the change and encourage people to try bus and light rail travel as part of their daily commute.
“MyWay+ will seamlessly integrate buses, light rail and real-time information to get you where you need to be. Powerful journey planning, live service updates and more ways to pay will put the power of public transport in your hands,” he said.
The government says the easiest way to plan a trip is by using the Transport Canberra Journey Planner or referring to timetable information.
Visit Transport Canberra for updates and further information.
Original Article published by Ian Bushnell on Riotact.
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