Myki-free tram and train travel starts today

Melbourne tram passengers can now pay by tapping a bank card, smartphone or smartwatch, as Victoria widens its contactless fare system beyond the train network.

The change follows the staged rail rollout that began on June 6 and expanded on June 14. The tram launch marks the next step in the state's broader myki upgrade program.

Myki cards remain available for passengers who prefer to keep using them. Buses are expected to gain the same tap-and-go option next month.

What changed today

From today, full-fare tram passengers can use bank cards, phones and smartwatches to pay for travel.

Victorian public and active transport minister Gabrielle Williams said the aim was to make it easier for people to move across modes using the same payment method, including stepping from a train straight on to a tram.

Williams also said four in five tap-and-go trips are already being made with a phone or smartwatch.

How the rollout has unfolded

Victoria first began introducing contactless payments on selected train and regional rail services on June 6. The rollout then expanded to additional lines on June 14.

The tram launch extends that rollout to another major part of Melbourne's public transport network. Reporting on June 20 and again on June 21 confirmed that tram passengers can now tap to pay.

What comes next

Buses are expected to follow next month, according to the reporting. The government has not yet confirmed the exact date.

Other questions also remain, including whether concession passengers will be added later and whether officials will publish updated usage data after the tram launch.

The change is a visible step in Victoria's long-delayed myki upgrade, with contactless payments now available across more of the system and the physical card no longer required for every trip.