Editing Metcard (section)

==History==
[[File:Metcards Melbourne.jpg|thumb|right|160px|Several Metcards]]
[[File:Metcard (back).jpg|thumb|right|160px|Back of a validated Metcard]]
In July 1983, the [[Metropolitan Transit Authority (Victoria)|Metropolitan Transit Authority]] was formed to integrate Melbourne's tram, train and bus services. The Metropolitan Transit Authority also integrated bus, train and tram ticketing using [[punch card]] and [[scratch card]] tickets.  Under the arrangements, the Government of Victoria collected all revenue from the sale of multi-modal tickets, which was then allocated to the various operators  on the basis of an agreed formula.

Moves towards  automated ticketing were first made in 1992. Tenders were called for the design, supply, installation and on-going maintenance of the system, with the OneLink Transit Consortium becoming the preferred tenderer in September 1993. The contract was signed in May 1994, with the major technology supplier being the  ERG Group (now [[Vix Technology]]).<ref name=robx>{{cite web |url=http://www.robx1.net/victkt/metcard/html/history.htm |title=Metcard – A brief history |publisher=robx1.net |accessdate=26 March 2008 |archive-date=2 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002152743/http://www.robx1.net/victkt/metcard/html/history.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Testing of prototypes commenced in December 1993, and the roll-out of the system was carried out from August 1996 to April 1998. Public field trials were carried out on buses from 20 August 1996, and on rail services from 18 September 1996.<ref name=pft>{{cite web |url=http://www.robx1.net/victkt/metcard/html/pft.htm |title=Metcard – Public Field Trials |publisher=robx1.net |accessdate=26 March 2008 |archive-date=25 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080325120714/http://www.robx1.net/victkt/metcard/html/pft.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> Acceptance occurred in November 1997.<ref name=robx/> The system commenced full revenue service from May 1998 at a cost of $330 million.<ref name=erg>{{cite web|url=http://www.erggroup.com/worldwide/details.asp?pid=7 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303171030/http://www.erggroup.com/worldwide/details.asp?pid=7 |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 March 2016 |title=ERG Limited: Case Studies – Melbourne |publisher=erggroup.com |accessdate=27 March 2008}}</ref> Contractual issues between OneLink and the [[Government of Victoria|Victorian Government]] were not settled until May 2002 with the payment of up to $65 million in a staged settlement.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/MediaRelArc02.nsf/fce5683f42af57f04a256b36001bd4df/415280cae994e99eca256bc9007c8c79%21OpenDocument%26Click%3D |title=Media Release: SETTLEMENT OF ONELINK DISPUTE PAVES THE WAY FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT TICKETING REFORM |work=Minister for Transport |publisher=legislation.vic.gov.au |date=30 May 2002 |accessdate=27 March 2008 |archive-date=1 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001000429/http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/MediaRelArc02.nsf/fce5683f42af57f04a256b36001bd4df/415280cae994e99eca256bc9007c8c79%21OpenDocument%26Click%3D |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2002, Metcard replaced the functionally identical yet technically simpler punch tickets and scratchie tickets, which were easy to cheat.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.robx1.net/victkt/metcard/html/finale.htm |title=Metcard – The End of Met Ticket |publisher=robx1.net |accessdate=27 March 2008 |archive-date=8 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908034201/http://www.robx1.net/victkt/metcard/html/finale.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 2009, the rollout of a new smartcard ticketing system, [[Myki]], would signal the end of the Metcard. The Metcard system was deactivated on 29 December 2012.