Released 27/02/2023
Catching public transport in Canberra is about to get a whole lot easier with a supplier now secured for a new smart transport system, to be called MyWay+ (plus).
“Following an extensive market sounding and procurement process, NEC Australia has been appointed to deliver MyWay+, a new and improved public transport ticketing system for Canberra,” said Minister for Transport Chris Steel.
“Major changes to our public transport experience includes a simpler payment process, with the ability to tap on and off public transport using debit and credit cards and devices such as your phone or smart watch, in addition to the traditional travel card or paper ticket.
“The improved system will also provide a new real time passenger information system and journey planner. Customers will be able to plan their journey, track the arrival of their next service, and pay for their travel, all from a web portal or mobile app.
“Once established, the new mobile application will be available to download from Google Play and the Apple Store.
“This is about making it as easy and convenient as possible to use public transport, by providing more payment options for customers and better real time information."
NEC will deliver the system from its Canberra-based facilities and use a local ACT team to operate and maintain the system.
This will include undertaking a design and development process over the next 12 months to ensure the new system, MyWay+, is specifically customised for the Canberra market.
An immediate implementation process will follow with the community kept informed as we reach each milestone.
“The switch to a new public transport ticketing system has many components so we will work closely with the community and stakeholder groups to ensure a seamless transition,” said Minister Steel.
This includes the installation and commissioning of equipment to support the new ticketing system, including over 1,000 new validators onboard Transport Canberra buses and on light rail platforms, and around 25 ticket vending machines across the public transport network.
“Now we have a contract in place we will work closely with NEC Australia to finalise transition details for the rollout,” said Minister Steel.
“There is expected to be a staged transition period. I encourage people to sign-up to Transport Canberra’s weekly e-news and social media for regular updates, including about what they need to do, as we transition to a new, exciting era of public transport.”
There are three core elements to MyWay+:
Real time passenger information
- Customer personalised public transport related messages and alerts.
- Provides accurate and reliable data in real time to customers travelling on the network for the most efficient travel planning.
- Information available in real time on vehicle occupancy levels.
Journey planning
- Multi modal journey planning application (light rail, bus, cycling, walking, e-scooter, rideshare/taxi).
- Accessibility information inclusive of transportation mode, accessible stops, stations, paths and walkways.
- Ability to customise journeys based on preferences or priorities such as cost, duration, carbon footprint and active travel components including setting walking or self-transfer speeds.
Ticketing
- Increased choice of fare media for customers including provisions to tap on and tap off with a debit and credit card for ease of fare payment.
- Enabling greater customer independence with customer self-management functionality through a personalised secure account.
- Allows for automated cheapest fare calculation when using any of the supported fare methods, including concession registration on all supported fare media (credit, debit cards, travel cards).
- Ability for future integration with cross-jurisdictional services such as Queanbeyan and surrounding NSW.
Quotes attributable to Richard Duggan, General Manager, Critical Infrastructure, Smart Transport & IoT at NEC Australia:
“NEC will provide a strong focus on smart ticketing, operational intelligence, safety and security, and with it, a better customer experience for ACT residents.
"We encourage the community to sign up to the Transport Canberra weekly e-News for updates as we transition to a new and improved ticketing, journey planning and real time system."
For more information, visit transport.act.gov.au.
- Statement ends -
Chris Steel, MLA | Media Releases