Ways to pay


MyWay+ update

We are continuing to roll out updates to the MyWay+ system. Please make sure you have the latest version of the MyWay+ app so that QR code scanning and journey planning are easier. For more information see the MyWay+ update. If you have feedback please call 13 17 10 or complete a feedback form.



On this page:

Ways to pay

With MyWay+ you have the choice to continue to use a physical MyWay+ travel card or a new contactless or digital option. With MyWay+ you choose what works for you.

If you are eligible for a concession, you will still be able to access your free or discounted travel no matter which option you choose. To ensure you receive the right fare, always tap on and tap off with the same card or device.

Here are the ways to pay for public transport:

Contactless

Contactless payment refers to an accepted Mastercard or Visa or mobile device i.e. smartwatch or phone.

MyWay+ accepts contactless payments to pay for bus and light rail services. Link your preferred contactless payment method in your MyWay+ account. If applicable, you will need to register your concession to pay the correct fare.

Types of contactless payments

Remember to tap on and off with the same card or device each time to pay the correct fare. For example, don't tap on with your iPhone and tap off with your Apple watch.

Contactless card

If your bank card shows the contactless symbol Icon symbolising 'contactless you can use it to pay for your travel.

  • MyWay+ accepts Mastercard or Visa only. MyWay+ does not accept American Express.
  • If you're unsure whether your card is contactless-enabled, check with your card issuer.

Digital wallet

Add a payment card to your digital wallet on your mobile device or smart watch to pay for your fare.

How to use your contactless card or device

Tap on at the start of your journey and tap off at the end on a MyWay+ validator. Validators are on all buses and at light rail stops.

Remember:

  • watch out for card clash. You must use the same card or device to tap on and off each service. This will ensure you pay the correct fare
  • make sure you have enough battery on your mobile device or smart watch so you can complete your journey
  • make sure you complete your trip (tap off) within the maximum travel time.

See group travel below for advice on how to pay for multiple passengers.

Contactless cards or devices which have been used to tap on cannot be used by additional passengers on the same journey.

How much does it cost

MyWay+ calculates the cheapest possible fare per passenger, based on any eligible concession and daily or monthly fare caps.

Visit fares for more information.

MyWay+ travel card

MyWay+ travel cards are a alternative way to pay for travel on public transport. Get a MyWay+ travel card from a retail outlet, add value, and then then tap on and tap off to travel as you go. You can also order a card through your MyWay+ account.

Link your MyWay+ travel card to your MyWay+ account for more benefits. In your MyWay+ account you can set up autopay or add value to your card.

Check your eligibility to find out which MyWay+ travel card is best for you.

How to use a MyWay+ travel card

Tap on at the start of your journey and tap off at the end on a MyWay+ validator. Validators are on all buses and at light rail stops.

Remember:

  • watch out for card clash. You must use the same card or device to tap on and off each service. This will ensure you pay the correct fare
  • make sure you have enough battery on your mobile device or smart watch so you can complete your journey
  • make sure you complete your trip (tap off) within the maximum travel time (90 minutes from when you first tapped on at the validator).

How much does it cost

MyWay+ calculates the cheapest possible fare per passenger, based on any eligible concession and daily or monthly fare caps. Visit fares for more information.

Where to buy a MyWay+ travel card

You can get a MyWay+ travel card from a MyWay+ retail outlet. Alternatively, you can order a MyWay+ travel card through your MyWay+ account.

MyWay+ pass (in-app ticket)

If you have a MyWay+ account, you can use a MyWay+ pass within the app to travel on bus and light rail services.

How to use a MyWay+ pass

When opening the MyWay+ app you will see the option to use a MyWay+ pass.

Select the MyWay+ pass and a QR code*will be displayed. This code can be scanned on the QR reader located under the new MyWay+ validators, either on board buses or at light rail stations.

Your ticket will also appear automatically if you begin a journey. A “Show Ticket” button will be available to quickly bring up your ticket while planning your journey.

*Note: this a dynamic QR code that will change each time you open and use the MyWay+ pass. This means you cannot take a screenshot of the QR code and use it at a later time as the code will no longer be valid. You must scan the QR code directly from the MyWay+ app to ensure it functions properly.

Remember, to ensure you receive the correct fare, always tap on and tap off with the same card or device. This includes the MyWay+ pass QR code.

Single use tickets (pre-paid tickets)

You can buy MyWay+ single trip tickets from ticket vending machines located at all light rail stops, at selected bus interchanges and the Canberra Airport.

It is cheaper and more convenient to tap on and tap off with a contactless card or device, or MyWay+ travel card.

Visit fares for more information.

Group travel

You can purchase MyWay+ group travel passes from a ticket vending machine.

To use the group ticket, simply scan the QR code under the MyWay+ validators, either on board buses or at light rail stations.

All passengers must travel together.

Visit fares for more information.

Helpful hints for tapping on and tapping off

When using public transport, you need to tap on at a MyWay+ validator when you start your trip, and tap off at a MyWay+ validator at the end of the trip to pay the right fare. MyWay+ validators are on all buses and at light rail stops.

If you transfer onto additional bus or light rail services you need to tap on and off each time.

When you tap on and tap off correctly:

  • you are charged the correct fare
  • your journey will count towards your daily and monthly fare cap when you use the same payment method each time (e.g. a physical debit card).

Remember:

  • tap on and tap off every time you travel
  • you must use the same card or device to tap on and off each service
  • make sure you have enough battery on your mobile device or smart watch so you can complete your journey
  • make sure you complete your trip (tap off)
  • even when you have reached your paid trip travel cap, you must still tap on and tap off for every trip to travel with a valid ticket. This helps provide valuable data to help us plan and improve services.

Separate your cards

Watch out for card clash. Always separate your cards when you tap on and tap off so your preferred card is charged.

Transferring between services

Tap on and tap off for each trip, including when you transfer, and MyWay+ will automatically combine your trips into a single journey and apply the appropriate fare.


MyWay+ account sign in

Quick top up

Real time journey planner

black button for Apple App storeblack button for Google App store

4 new payment options, smart phone, smart watch, debit and credit card

Related links

Video tutorials

Watch our series of video tutorials to learn how to use your MyWay+ account.

Support and assistance

If you require assistance or have further questions, call Transport Canberra on 13 17 10 during business hours. We also encourage our customers to complete our online feedback form for compliments and complaints.

Using MyWay+ validators

Hold your contactless card or device to the MyWay+ validator or QR scanner until the screen turns green.

Possible reasons for an unsuccessful tap:

  • the card or device was already tapped within the last 3 seconds
  • the card has not been read properly, try again
  • insufficient balance
  • card is unreadable, faulty or invalid. This can happen if your card is next to other payment cards in your wallet. Check your card and try again. If the problem persists, contact your financial institution
  • the paper ticket has expired (after 7 days from purchase).

screen shot of the accepted green tick screen shot of the not accepted red cross

QR codes linked to the MyWay+ app are one of many payment options for the ticketing system. If you do want to use this option here is some advice below.

How to scan the QR code on board buses

The QR scanner is located at the base of the ticket validator.

Hold your smartphone approximately 5 cm below the validator to scan.

A green tick displayed on ticket validator will indicate when the tap on or off has successfully worked.

Person scanning a QR code on a bus validator

How to scan the QR code at light rail stops

The QR scanner is located at the base of the ticket validator.

Hold your smartphone on the base of the validator to scan.

A green tick displayed on the ticket validator will indicate when the tap on or off has successfully worked.

Peron scanning a QR code at a light rail validator

Video showing how to tap on with a QR code

App update

A smaller QR code has been applied to the latest version of the MyWay+ app to make it easier for our ticket validators to read. This version is available from both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you haven’t updated or downloaded the app yet we encourage you to do so.

We will continue to monitor the success of this update over the next few days, including addressing some reports of the QR code expiring prior to tap off.

Please remember if you do choose to use the QR code you need to first have funds in your account, which can be paid for by a debit card, credit card or from funds transferred from your old MyWay account.

We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.

To see how we are building stronger relationships with the Traditional Custodians of the ACT view the Reconciliation Action Plan.