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Melina Bath criticises Labor government, calling Myki's delayed tap-and-go rollout a "mythical unicorn," outdated and incompatible

Victoria's long-promised tap-and-go public transport system has been delayed until 2028, leaving commuters, especially in regional areas, still reliant on outdated Myki cards and paper tickets

By news@gippsland - 23rd September 2025 - Back to News

The long-promised "tap and go" technology for Victoria's public transport system has been delayed yet again - now not expected until 2028, five years after Labor first pledged its delivery to all Victorians. On May 15 2023, then Minister for Public Transport, Ben Carroll announced a new contract for the Myki system, promising an account-based ticketing upgrade.

Melina Bath questions $1.7 billion spent, highlighting regional Victorians still forced to buy paper tickets instead of accessing Myki

Mayki Tap delay

Minister Carroll promised it would allow commuters to "tap on" and "tap off" using credit cards, smartphones, and smartwatches, replacing the outdated card-based system. Victorians were told the new system would begin rolling out in 2025, following the contract commencement in December 2023.

The Nationals' Melina Bath has slammed the latest Allan government broken promise and described Myki's tap and go roll out as a "mythical unicorn." "Myki is inflexible and shambolic - it's stuck in the 1980s and remains incompatible with iPhones, which comprises over 56 per cent of smartphone purchases in Australia."

"Commuters are today no closer to seeing tap and go technology implemented, than when Labor first announced it two years ago. The question that now needs answering is how much of the $1.7 billion, 15 year contract has been spent not delivering the ticketing technology Victorians were promised and deserve," Ms Bath said.

Regional commuters forgotten

Ms Bath said regional Victorians continue to be left behind by Labor, with many still forced to purchase paper tickets. "Passengers in South Gippsland, Bass Coast, Wellington Shire and East Gippsland still don't have access to Myki and are forced to buy paper tickets, it-s simply unacceptable."

Ms Bath contrasted Victoria's failure with New South Wales (NSW) success. "NSW introduced tap and go technology in 2019, just two years after announcing it and completed an additional upgrade integrating Apple Pay in 2023. The Allan government promised all Victorians a more efficient, user-friendly Myki system within two years. Yet instead of delivering a ticketing system fit for the 21st century, Labor has left Victorians with an expensive, clunky, outdated dinosaur that's not fit for purpose."

Pictures from Melina Bath MP Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Tim Bull says East Gippslanders face another summer without Thurra River’s main campground, urging the Minister to expedite long-delayed approvals after six years, stressing local businesses rely on its reopening.
• Danny O'Brien says Gippsland roads among state's most dangerous after years of neglect under Allan Labor government
  Danny O'Brien says new AusRAP data shows many Gippsland roads are unsafe after years of Labor neglect, criticising the government for lowering speed limits instead of properly fixing deteriorating roads.
• Victoria’s crime crisis worsens as police numbers fall, offences rise, and station hours are reduced under Labor government
  Victoria’s crime crisis worsens under Labor with 368 fewer police, rising offences, unsolved cases, reduced station hours, and retail theft surging, prompting calls for proper resourcing and crime prevention.
• Gippsland CFA volunteers still wait for critical fire station upgrades amid $55M Labor funding cuts
  Gippsland CFA volunteers face years-long delays for safe, modern fire stations as Labor cuts $55 million, reducing equipment, compensation, and infrastructure, putting communities at risk and demanding urgent funding.
• Danny O’Brien calls for clarity on free children’s public transport amid Gippsland V/Line concerns
  Danny O’Brien urges Labor to clarify free children’s public transport rollout, warning Gippsland families face confusion over youth myki requirements, online access, and unmanned V/Line stations from January 2026.
• Darren Chester supports reforming the Coalition to unite Liberals and Nationals and deliver stronger government for Australia
  Darren Chester welcomes the re-formed Coalition, united to hold Labor to account, focus on cost of living, families, regions and security, and develop sensible policies for a safer, stronger, fairer Australia.
• Regional all abilities participation grants is now open to boost inclusive sports opportunities for people with disability in regional communities
  The Allan Labor government's Regional All Abilities Participation Grants offer up to $25,000 for clubs to boost disability inclusion through equipment, training, travel support, and all-abilities sports programs.
• Bruthen and Buchan town centre upgrades boost tourism, safety, and local businesses with $3.8M government support
  Bruthen and Buchan town centre upgrades, supported by $3.8 million government funding, improve safety, accessibility, tourism, and local business, while celebrating Indigenous culture and supporting bushfire-affected communities.
• Danny O'Brien warns Bayside Health merger threatens Gippsland communities, confirming hidden health service consolidation
  Danny O'Brien criticises Labor's Bayside Health merger, warning it will reduce local hospital autonomy, limit community input, and risk services for Gippsland residents, prioritising bureaucratic cost-saving over patient care.
• Omeo’s Day Avenue upgraded with safer streets, accessible paths, bike parking, greenery, and Victorian government investment
  Omeo’s Day Avenue upgraded with safer streets, accessible paths, signage, parking, bike facilities, greenery, and $200,000 Victorian government investment, creating jobs and enhancing experiences for locals and visitors.
• Danny O'Brien warns faulty firefighting vehicles are leaving local CFA Brigades under pressure ahead of bushfire season
  Danny O'Brien has criticised the Allan Labor government for failing to repair faulty firefighting vehicles, warning the issue is placing pressure on CFA brigades and reducing Gippsland's preparedness for bushfire season.
• Danny O’Brien says South Gippsland Highway receives constant patch-ups instead of proper, long-term investment
  Danny O’Brien criticises South Gippsland Highway constant patch-ups, highlighting 169 maintenance tasks since July, calling for proper investment and long-term repairs instead of short-term, wasteful fixes by the Labor government.
• Peri Urban Councils advocate for housing, infrastructure, and policy recognition with state government
  Peri Urban Councils Victoria met government leaders at Spring Street, advocating for housing solutions, essential infrastructure funding, and policy recognition to support rapidly growing peri urban communities sustainably.
• One Gippsland urges stronger climate action and investment to build regional disaster resilience
  One Gippsland is calling for urgent government action, investment and policy reform to strengthen disaster resilience, improve planning, and protect coastal communities facing increasing climate-related risks and rising economic costs.