Editing Metcard (section)

==Operation==
[[File:Mvm1-machine.jpg|thumb|upright|A 'small' MVM 1 Metcard vending machine]]
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Metcard-bus-validator.jpg|thumb|upright|Metcard validator, as found aboard [[Buses in Melbourne|buses]] and [[Trams in Melbourne|trams]]]] -->
[[File:Metcard-barriers.jpg|thumb|right|Metcard-operated barrier gates at [[Southern Cross railway station|Southern Cross station]]]]

All forms of public transport could be accessed by using a single Metcard. Metcards were a time and zone based ticket, with validity periods ranging from 2 hours to yearly, and two zones covering the Melbourne metropolitan area.

When the system was in full operation, Metcards could be purchased from:
* [[Vending Machine#Ticket machine|Ticket Vending Machines]] at rail stations 
* Ticket vending machines on board trams (coin only) and the [[Stony Point railway line|Stony Point train]]
* Bus drivers
* [[Premium station|Premium (staffed) stations]]
* The Met Shop (inside the [[Melbourne Town Hall]] on [[Swanston Street]])
* Authorised Metcard outlets such as newsagencies and milk bars
* Online
* By phone

Ticket availability varied, with the sources above each stocking slightly different ranges beyond the standard two-hour, daily and seniors tickets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/fares_tickets/metropolitan_fares_and_tickets/metcard_types |title=Metcard types – Metlink – Your guide to public transport in Melbourne and Victoria |publisher=[[Metlink]] |accessdate=26 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080722014438/http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/fares_tickets/metropolitan_fares_and_tickets/metcard_types |archivedate=22 July 2008}}</ref> Availability on board buses was particularly restricted, with neither the Sunday Saver nor [[Off-peak hours|off-peak]] tickets being available from drivers. Similarly, ticket vending machines at railway stations did not stock Sunday Savers or some types of off-peak tickets. Payment options varied from coin-only (small Metcard machines on trams and at railway stations), [[EFTPOS]], coin and some notes (large ticket machines at stations) to EFTPOS, credit card, coin and all notes (premium railway stations).

In March 2008, the new route 401 bus service<ref>{{cite PTV route|401}}</ref> from [[North Melbourne railway station]] to the [[Royal Melbourne Hospital]] and [[University of Melbourne]] became the first and only bus route in Melbourne that required the purchase of a Metcard before travel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/798c8b072d117a01ca256c8c0019bb01/ae68b4f8991d03caca257401007bfe06!OpenDocument |title=Media Release: NEW SHUTTLE SERVICE PROVIDES VITAL LINK FOR COMMUTERS |publisher=dpc.vic.gov.au |accessdate=21 May 2008 |date=3 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720172116/http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/798c8b072d117a01ca256c8c0019bb01/ae68b4f8991d03caca257401007bfe06%21OpenDocument |archive-date=20 July 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/news/service_alterations/metropolitan_buses/new_bus_route_from_north_melbourne_station_via_royal_melbourne_hospital_to_the_university_of_melbourne_from_monday_3_march_2008 |title= New bus route from North Melbourne Station – via Royal Melbourne Hospital – to the University of Melbourne: from Monday, 3 March 2008 – Metlink – Your guide to public transport in Melbourne and Victoria |publisher= Metlink |accessdate= 21 May 2008 |url-status= dead |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080822192539/http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/news/service_alterations/metropolitan_buses/new_bus_route_from_north_melbourne_station_via_royal_melbourne_hospital_to_the_university_of_melbourne_from_monday_3_march_2008 |archivedate= 22 August 2008}}</ref>

Metcards were 'validated' when entering or exiting [[List of Melbourne railway stations|railway stations]], and getting on trams or buses. The first validation printed an expiry date and time on the back of the ticket. Subsequent validations of most types of tickets did not print extra times but the data was intended to be used to count passenger numbers (in order to improve transport services). Revalidation of already validated tickets, whilst functionally unnecessary, was and is still required by law<ref name=faq/> and occasional campaigns continue to remind passengers of this.

When transport operations were franchised, revalidation data was also used to apportion revenue share between operators.<ref name=robx/> This has since been abandoned in favour of fixed percentage allocations (40% train, 40% tram and 20% bus).

With most railway stations not having ticket-operated barriers and trams not having conductors, enforcement was and is still the responsibility of roaming Authorised Officers (ticket inspectors). Authorised Officers (AOs) check that passengers have the correct ticket and, if using a concession ticket, have a suitable concession card. AOs did not issue fines directly but issued an infringement notice. The passenger then received a letter from the [[Department of Transport (Victoria, 2008-2013)|Department of Transport]], who could issue a fine. Passengers could either pay the fine, seek an internal review, or contest it in court.