Editing Metcard (section)

==Controversy==
Controversy surrounded Metcard at its introduction, due to cost over-runs, the abolition of tram [[Conductor (transportation)|conductors]] and the unreliability of ticket purchasing and validation machines. The ticket vending machines were frequently attacked by [[Vandalism|vandals]] (often by pouring liquids into the coin slot), and underwent several revisions to their design.<ref name=downie>{{cite web|url=http://www.doi.vic.gov.au/doi/doielect.nsf/2a6bd98dee287482ca256915001cff0c/212e8a4e99367bc9ca256cf5007b7a44/$FILE/ReportDraft12-%20Downie%20modified%2012.02.03.pdf |title=2002 Independent Audit of the Automatic Ticketing System |author=Downie Consulting |date=March 2003 |publisher=doi.vic.gov.au |accessdate=27 March 2008 |archiveurl=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20090609035355/http%3A//www.doi.vic.gov.au/doi/doielect.nsf/2a6bd98dee287482ca256915001cff0c/212e8a4e99367bc9ca256cf5007b7a44/%24FILE/ReportDraft12%2D%2520Downie%2520modified%252012.02.03.pdf |archivedate=9 June 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

An audit released by the Victorian Government in 2001 showed over 1 in 4 (27.2%) of machines at railway stations did not work, and 11.9% of mobile equipment in buses and trams were non-operational.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.doi.vic.gov.au/doi/internet/transport.nsf/AllDocs/AB742159B0AB04EC4A25699A000055E5?OpenDocument#01audit |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20090520050448/http://www.doi.vic.gov.au/DOI/Internet/transport.nsf/AllDocs/AB742159B0AB04EC4A25699A000055E5?OpenDocument |url-status=dead |archive-date=2009-05-20 |title=2001 Independent Audit of the Automatic Ticketing System |author=Miller Network Group |date=May 2001 |publisher=doi.vic.gov.au |accessdate=27 March 2008}}</ref> The State Government renegotiated with ticketing network contract operator OneLink Transit Systems to improve the service to commuters. Following these improvements, a 2002 audit showed an increase in availability of machines to 92.1% at railway stations, and 98.3% on buses and trams. Usability was also improved, with tram machines able to sell daily tickets. Furthermore, vandalism across the network dropped by 62% between 2001 and 2002.<ref name=downie/>

[[V/Line]] tickets were aligned with the Metcard system in April 2006, with each V/Line ticket to stations in the Metcard area having the relevant zones printed on them.<ref name=inter>{{cite web|url=http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/8fc6e140ef55837cca256c8c00183cdc/48834ff802d37191ca25715600825dcd!OpenDocument |title=Media Release: BETTER VALUE FOR V/LINE TICKETS FROM THIS SATURDAY |date=20 April 2006 |publisher=dpc.vic.gov.au |accessdate=26 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519080112/http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/8fc6e140ef55837cca256c8c00183cdc/48834ff802d37191ca25715600825dcd%21OpenDocument |archivedate=19 May 2011}}</ref> In March 2007 the [[NightRider (bus service)|Nightrider bus service]] was also brought under the Metcard system.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/955cbeae7df9460dca256c8c00152d2b/d83e569f8d09c594ca257294007887d9!OpenDocument |title=Media Release: NIGHTRIDER NOW INCLUDED IN METCARD FARE |date=2 March 2007 |publisher=dpc.vic.gov.au |accessdate=26 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070906190418/http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/955cbeae7df9460dca256c8c00152d2b/d83e569f8d09c594ca257294007887d9%21OpenDocument |archive-date=6 September 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and zone 3 of the system was abolished, being merged with zone 2.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/35504bc71d3adebcca256cfc0082c2b8/92cdc0165023aa5bca257294007b9355!OpenDocument |title=Media Release: REMOVAL OF ZONE 3 MEANS SAVINGS FOR PASSENGERS |publisher=dpc.vic.gov.au |date=4 March 2007 |accessdate=26 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070917160042/http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/35504bc71d3adebcca256cfc0082c2b8/92cdc0165023aa5bca257294007b9355%21OpenDocument |archivedate=17 September 2007 }}</ref>

The original Metcard contract with OneLink was to last nine years, expiring in March 2007. In 2005 the contract was amended to permit the system to be extended and modified as work on the replacement [[Myki]] project progressed, with the contract being able to be terminated on six months notice.<ref name=tta/>