MyWay (ticketing system)

MyWay+ is the electronic ticketing system used on public transport services within Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory. It is promoted by Transport Canberra and is valid on ACTION buses and Canberra Light Rail.^[3] The previous MyWay card was replaced with the MyWay+ integrated ticketing system in 2024.

MyWay / MyWay+

Location	Canberra
Launched	MyWay: February 2011 MyWay+: November 2024
Technology	Contactless smart card
Operator	NEC
Manager	Transport Canberra
Currency	AUD ($120 maximum load)
Stored-value	Pay as you go
Credit expiry	MyWay: After two years of inactivity[1] MyWay+: no expiry[2]
Auto recharge	Auto top-up
Validity	ACTION Light Rail
Retailed	Online Canberra Connect shopfronts MyWay Centres MyWay Recharge agents
Website	www.transport.act.gov.au

MyWay (2011-2024)

The last design of the original MyWay card, used from 2011-2024.

The MyWay card used contactless smart cards with MIFARE technology onto which credit was loaded. Passengers were required to 'tag on' when boarding the bus or entering a light rail station and 'tag off' when exiting, at which point the appropriate fare was calculated and deducted from the stored value on the card. A further 5% discount on single-trip fares applied if the MyWay card was topped up using direct debit or BPAY.^[4]

MyWay cards were made available to ACT Seniors Card-holders on 21 February 2011 and released to the remainder of the community on 7 March 2011.^[5] ACTION's former magnetic strip tickets continued to be valid during a transition period until 11 April 2011.^[5]

The MyWay system used Parkeon software and equipment including Wayfarer 200 consoles^[6] and Axio card readers.^[7] The system was built and installed by Parkeon's Australian distributor, Downer EDI.^[8] Instead of being developed from scratch, MyWay was adapted from Transperth's SmartRider system which also uses Parkeon hardware and software.^[9]

In September 2017, Transport Canberra began looking for a replacement ticketing system, which was capable of integrating with an online system for customers to manage their card balance digitally and receive alerts about their transport services.^[10] The MyWay system was also incapable of handling payment using debit/credit cards,^[11] and needed to be replaced before the shutdown of the 3G network.^[12]

In February 2023, it was announced that NEC had been awarded the contract to create the new ticketing.^[13] MyWay was switched off on 20 September 2024, as well as the NXTBUS real-time information system. A fare-free travel period was active whilst MyWay scanners were uninstalled and replaced with MyWay+ hardware.^[14][15]

MyWay+ (2024-)

The MyWay+ system officially began service on 27 November 2024.^[11] The MyWay+ card works similarly to previous MyWay cards, having users tag their cards to readers on board buses and at light rail stations at the start and end of their journey. The MyWay+ ticketing system also allows users to tag using their Mastercard or Visa debit/credit card,^[16] or by scanning a unique QR code generated either at in the MyWay+ app the beginning of each journey, or printed on the customer's paper ticket purchased from a ticket vending machine.^[17][18]

MyWay cards are not compatible with the MyWay+ system. However, users could transfer their MyWay card balance online to their MyWay+ account, or apply for a refund into their bank account for their MyWay card balance.^[11] ACTION buses scheduled for decommission, particularly those powered by natural gas, will not receive MyWay+ readers, with travel remaining free on these buses.^[11]

The launch of MyWay+ was criticised for unreliability, with customers reporting card scanners displaying error messages, and many users being unable to access the MyWay+ app and website.^[19] MyWay+ card shortages were also feared as retailers were quick ran out of stock.^[20] Users reported that real-time information was not available on launch day, with the MyWay+ journey planner showing only scheduled times.^[21] Whilst this issue was resolved, the real-time data feed for bus services is not yet available to third-party transport apps, such as Google Maps and Anytrip.^[22][23]

MyWay ticket vending machines were also yet to be replaced with MyWay+ ticket vending machines. The installation of these was initially delayed to December 2024,^[24] before being pushed back indefinitely. Transport Canberra asks customers to use another payment method in the interim.^[25] The ACT Government later conceded the MyWay+ launch should have been delayed by at least a week, despite Transport Canberra's confidence in the system.^[12]