Transit Ticketing Authority – Melbourne Australia

Following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed and troubled projects from around the world.


Transit Ticketing Authority – Melbourne Australia
Project name :
MYKI
Date : May 2008 Cost :up to $350M AUD

Synopsis :
Smart card system to allow bus, rail and tram travel on a single ticket delayed by as much as 5 years and over budget by between $200M and $350M depending on press reports.

Contributing factors as reported in the press :
Underestimation of complexity, schedule underestimation, “technical flaws”, little other detail available.

Related story :
In 2007 a similar project was cancelled in Sydney Australia (TCARD).  Almost sounds like a bizarre case of inter-city rivalry!

Reference links :

  1. Myki embarrasses the Government
  2. State tips another $350m into myki debacle