V/Line introduces contactless payments to Albury rail line

Contactless tap-and-go payment technology is being rolled out to the Albury rail line in Victoria, allowing passengers to use bank cards, phones, or smartwatches for travel. The implementation is scheduled to begin in Wangaratta on September 27.

However, the rollout will not be immediate for all stations on the line. Due to ongoing station upgrades under the Inland Rail project, passengers at Benalla and Euroa will not have access to the new system until November 22.

V/Line is installing 106 new readers across 37 regional stations to complete a state-wide transition from paper and e-tickets to digital payments. Once finished, the technology will be available at every train station in Victoria, as well as on trams and myki-enabled buses.

While the system offers more flexibility, officials advise that concession, senior, and youth passengers should continue to use their specific myki cards. For long-distance services, passengers without reserved seats can use the tap-and-go system to purchase unreserved fares.