Oh Myki You’re So Fine?
Following ongoing battles with environmental factors, incompetent providers and ever increasing patronage comes the latest test of the Victorian public transport systems ability to cope with normal operations – the myki “smart card”.
The myki is currently being trialled by 1000 public servants as part of an in house “blooding” process designed to minimise poor publicity. Early internal reports from the Department of Transport suggest large numbers of trial users are being over charged as a result of being unable to “swipe” on or off their designated service. It is being suggested that during the migration from the metcard to myki system that some train services will be suspended to ensure all myki users are able to swipe on and off successfully. This is likely to cause significant disruptions within the city loop and the hub stations of inner Melbourne. The myki project is already running 2 years and $300 million over budget with a guarantee of more to come. A number of senior public servants believe that a significant proportion of the budget overspend will be recouped by myki over charges. Remember, it’s all part of the plan…
