Software glitch hits early adopters buying passes for myki cards

Amelia Harris, Annika Smethurst
January 23, 2013
Herald Sun

THOUSANDS of commuters whose mykis are set to expire within the year cannot buy weekly, monthly or yearly travel passes at more than 800 retail outlets in Melbourne because of a software glitch.

Early adopters who bought their card in 2009 and early 2010 are affected.

Public Transport Victoria said top-up devices would receive a software update in the coming weeks that would fix the problem.

Peter Carmichael, 50, said he was unable to buy a weekly pass at 7-Elevens in Tullamarine and Niddrie for his three-year-old myki.

“I have purchased it at these two stores before. They (7-Eleven) said it was something to do with the fact my ticket was about to expire in about a year,” Mr Carmichael said.

Public Transport Users Association president Tony Morton said it had received a number of complaints about the problem.

“Clearly this is unacceptable and needs an immediate fix,” Mr Morton said.

The Herald Sun reported last month up to 46,000 mykis will expire by April.

A leaked memo revealed some cards had been turned off and “deactivated” after reaching their use-by date of four years and thousands more were set to follow.

Public Transport Victoria spokesman Adrian Darwent said commuters could top up at a myki machine, train station ticket window, online, by calling 1800 800 007, or use myki money until the software upgrade.