General News
14 June, 2026
Myki is finally coming to Ararat
TWENTY years after the introduction of the Myki ticketing system the network is finally being rolled out to Ararat Station.
The Victorian Government recently announced the introduction of tap and go across the network to compliment the current Myki system.
Initially, tap and go will only be available as far as the regional centres like Ballarat, but a Victorian Government spokesperson advised the Advocate the technlogy will be rolled out to Ararat this year.
Following the rollout, passengers will be able to tap on and travel using a bank card, smartphone or smartwatch at every myki-enabled train station across Victoria.
The spokesperson said regional tap and go rollout will commence with rail where Myki is already enabled, which will be followed by the non-Myki rail network.
“We’re continuing to expand tap and go to all parts of Victoria's public transport network, including the Ararat and Maryborough train lines later this year.
"Through the regional fare cap, Youth myki and now half-price fares for everyone until the end of the year, we're making it easier and more affordable for people to access public transport,” the spokesperson said.
More than 88,500 tap and go trips have been taken since trials began on the suburban network in March, with four in five of those made using a phone or smartwatch.
The government says passengers travelling where myki is not yet available – like Ararat - should continue using a paper ticket or eTicket until the service is available locally.
The government stresses tap and go is just one way of paying for public transport with the old Myki cards still in use.
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