Transport Canberra’s new ticketing system, MyWay+, will go live on buses and light rail from Wednesday 27 November.

Free transport was offered between September and November while the new MyWay+ hardware was installed on the bus fleet and the system was tested.

It replaces MyWay, which closed in September to align with the scheduled shut-off of Optus’ 3G network.

Transport Canberra said the fares would resume on 27 November when MyWay+ goes live.

The app and online portal for the new system are now available.

Transport Canberra executive group manager Judith Sturman said the free app was available from 14 November for Apple phone users, and in the coming days for Android phones on Google Play.

“In the meantime, the community is still able to create a MyWay+ account and attach a contactless payment method such as Mastercard or Visa,” she said.

“When the new ticketing system starts, passengers who do not wish to register for a MyWay+ account will be able to simply use their credit card, debit card, Apple or Google Pay on their mobile phone, or MyWay+ travel card, to tap on and off.

“The launch of the app and online portal follows several months of system and user testing as well as installation of MyWay+ equipment on buses and at bus and light rail platforms and interchanges.”

Ms Sturman said the new system provided journey planning, live service updates and convenient ticketing choices.

“The account also allows people to order a new MyWay+ travel card, view travel and transaction history and customise their real time journey notifications in the MyWay+ app,” she said.

Ms Sturman said anyone who did not wish to use the app could still purchase physical cards or use a credit or debit card to tap on and off.

CD reported in May that the new smart ticketing system would be in place by the end of the year.

New equipment was installed across the Transport Canberra network and fleet, which included hardware like validators, driver consoles, and ticket vending machines at light rail stations and major interchanges.

The ACT Government signed a contract in February with technology company NEC Australia to design the system. The Canberra Liberals, however, have argued that the government announced a similar system seven years ago.

In August, CD further stated Canberrans could register their MyWay cards to transfer funds from their customer accounts onto the new system.

More than 200 people were recruited to user-test the new MyWay+ system for six weeks beginning in September.

They tested the web portal, mobile app, and new equipment on board buses and at light rail stops.

To create an account, visit transport.act.gov.au or download the MyWay+ app.

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