The ACT Government has issued a formal mea culpa for the disastrous rollout of its planned replacement for the ageing MyWay public transport card system, admitting the bungled attempt has caused significant confusion and frustration among Canberra commuters.
In a stunning admission of failure, government officials confirmed they've completely abandoned the troubled project that was supposed to modernise the territory's ticketing system. The collapse of the rollout leaves Canberra residents stuck with the current MyWay cards for the foreseeable future.
What Went Wrong With the New System?
The failed replacement system was plagued by technical issues from the outset. Transport Minister Chris Steel acknowledged the government had "got it wrong" and that the proposed new system simply wasn't up to scratch for Canberra's public transport needs.
Key problems identified included:
- Technical glitches that made the system unreliable
- Compatibility issues with existing infrastructure
- User experience concerns that would have frustrated daily commuters
- Implementation challenges that couldn't be overcome within reasonable timeframes
What This Means for Canberra Commuters
For now, it's business as usual with the existing blue MyWay cards. While the government has promised to eventually introduce a more modern payment system, no timeline has been provided for when Canberrans might see contactless credit card payments or smartphone ticketing options.
The Minister emphasised that the current MyWay system remains functional and reliable, even if it lacks the modern features commuters have come to expect in other cities.
Looking to the Future
Despite this setback, the government insists it remains committed to improving Canberra's public transport experience. Officials are now back to the drawing board, determined to learn from this expensive lesson and deliver a system that actually works when the time is right.
The apology represents a rare moment of political humility, acknowledging that sometimes even well-intentioned technological upgrades can go spectacularly off the rails.
