My feedback (complaint) to Public Transport Victoria about Myki.
I think that the Myki system needs to be improved:
1. Myki cards should be returnable/refundable/re-useable, so people who don’t live in Melbourne can get their $6 back and the card can be re-used. I overheard a mother in Carlton today deciding to take a taxi to the city, because she and her family didn’t have Myki, and weren’t staying in Melbourne for a prolonged period. For a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children) the trip would have cost $18 for just the Myki cards and then probably a further $12 on top of that for travel. Why would a family choose to get public transport when the cost is more expensive than a taxi? This ticketing system does not currently support reduction of car travel. It is also alienating to tourists.
2. I have 2 Myki cards. Both of which I left at home one day because I cycled to work. I got a flat tyre on the ride home, so I jumped on a tram willing to buy a ticket. I couldn’t buy a ticket. Why isn’t there a short-term ticket available to travellers who don’t need to buy another Myki? Why aren’t tickets available on trams? How can public transport users be expected to be prepared at all times and plan all of their trips? Where do I buy a Myki when I am at the end of the 57 tram line after 10pm? How far does the PTV realistically expect someone to walk, by themselves, to buy a Myki at night? How far does the PTV realistically expect the elderly, the sick, the disabled and the pregnant members of our community to walk (if they can) to buy a Myki?
