Melbourne to finally get Myki-less public transport on Monday – but only on four train lines

Passengers transferring to trams or buses outside the trial zones will still need a Myki card – failing to use one outside it will result in a fine. Photograph: Con Chronis/AAP

Melbourne is finally poised to join other Australian cities in the tap-and-go era, with the state government confirming public trials for contactless credit and debit card payments will launch for suburban rail commuters on Monday.

Commuters on the Craigieburn, Upfield, Ballarat and Seymour lines will be the first to test the technology, allowing them to bypass the physical Myki card in favour of paying via a debit or credit card, smartphone or smartwatch.