Myki, the state's controversial public transport ticketing system, is recently piloting a new mobile software, the Times reported. It is reported that 1000 carefully selected users will be able to pay travel costs through mobile phones.
The mobile myki (mobile myki) mobile software will allow public transport users to pay for tickets on trains, trams and buses in Victoria.
The trial does not require new infrastructure or related equipment, a mobile ticket-buying technology that can be used on a wide range of vehicles across the state's transportation network.
This is the latest development in myki technology, which appeared in 2005 to replace the old paper ticket system. The technology has so far cost more than 1 billion yuan to the people of Victoria.
In 2016, NTT Data signed a new seven-year myki contract that cost the Victorians another 700 million yuan. Part of the contract calls for similar new technologies to be piloted.
If the trial is successful, passengers can take their mobile phones and check the balance on the Myki card at any time, and they don't have to wait in a long line to forget or accidentally drop the card.
The public transport director, Jacinta Allan, said the trial would begin with a group of Android phone users. If successful, it could be extended to a wider population by the end of 2018.
The trial period is expected to last until early 2019. At that time, the authorities will make a decision on whether to allow all passengers to use mobile myki payment to buy tickets on the bus.
The current Myki card can still be used during and after the trial.
Passengers who pay with mobile myki can pay for boarding by using myki gold (myki money) or myki pass (myki tickets as before.
It is reported that myki now has 12 million active cards, each year to complete 700 million transactions.
The trial will make public transport easier and more people can use it, Allan said.
"We will observe the results of the trial next year to ensure that technical issues are handled before everyone uses a mobile phone to pay."
Daniel Bowen, a spokesman for the Public Transport user Association, welcomed government's move, saying a good payment system was to ensure that passengers could easily pay.
"technological improvements like cell phone payments are welcome and we will continue to observe." But Bowen also points out that while piloting is a step forward in technology, there are limitations to the technology being used.
"many phones don't currently have the features they need to pay. "government should look for other ways to improve payment methods, including weekly and monthly payment cards, which myki made earlier."