The new system will be progressively switched on, with the Seymour bus route to be among the first to secure the technology.
From Sunday, July 19, tap and go will be switched on for routes in Ballarat, Bendigo, Seymour, Geelong, Traralgon, Warragul, Bacchus Marsh, Sunbury, Berwick, Cranbourne and the Yarra Valley.
By Sunday, July 26, it will have rolled out to all routes across Melbourne.
The Victorian Government is rolling out the new system in an effort to make catching public transport simpler, allowing passengers to tap on using a bank card, smartphone or smartwatch.
“From Sunday, tap and go will progressively roll out on buses across Victoria – making getting around even easier,” acting Public and Active Transport Minister Nick Staikos said.
While the rollout is under way, passengers should look for a Visa or Mastercard logo on the bus ticket reader to see if they can use tap and go payment for their journey.
Passengers should also continue to have their myki available in case their bus is not yet switched on for tap and go payments, and those who are connecting between bus services should continue to use myki until the network rollout is complete.
Since trials began on Victoria’s public transport network in March, more than 2.3 million tap and go trips have been taken.
“More than two million tap and go trips have been taken, demonstrating Victorians love the convenience of using their bank card or phone to travel,” Mr Staikos said.
“Whether it’s a train, a tram or now a bus, we’re making it simpler for Victorians to get where they need to go.”
As the rollout continues, station staff will be on hand to help passengers.
Concession passengers, seniors and those under 18 should continue using their concession or free youth myki, and passengers who prefer to use their myki can still do so.
For more information about tap and go, visit transport.vic.gov.au/tickets-and-myki/contactless-payments
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