Skybus/Metcard Trial Tickets

Page last modified/checked: Sunday, May 06, 2007
From Monday 18th July 2005, two new trial metcards came on sale exclusively from the City Metshop and the Skybus information counter at Melbourne Airport. These are a combined Metcard/Skybus ticket available as a 2-Hour or Daily Zone 1 fare plus the Skybus Adult single fare ($13.00) to or from Melbourne Airport. There are no concession issues and the purpose of the three month trial sale period is to assess whether there is a demand for Zone 1-2 and Zone 1-2-3 tickets. They appear to be of Magnadata manufacture and have no designators. The rear of the ticket has the Skybus barcode which must be swiped past the reader which is visible in the drivers ticket issuing console on Skybuses. This reader is also used for Skybuses own ticketing system. The trial was considered worthwhile, the proposed Zone 1-2 and Zone 1-2-3 issues have not eventuated. Information on the Skybus metcard was included for the first time in the 2006 Fares and Travel guide which implies that this unusual magnetic strip ticket will be in situ for as long as the metcard system remains.

A special thin card wallet has been provided to hold these new metcards. Inside, there is a fold-out map of the rail and tram systems, information on reaching popular tourist attractions and on the availability of the combined metcard/Skybus tickets.

"Total traveller" ticket holder and maps

A small poster has been placed in the front window of the city Metshop advising of these new tickets.

The cost of these tickets is $16.00 for the Skybus single plus 2-Hour Zone 1 ($16.10 if purchased separately) or $18.50 for the Skybus single plus Daily Zone 1 ($18.90 if purchased separately). They are a unique ticket as they combine travel on a private operators services which are outside the current metlink system. The tickets were first announced on the metlink site in a media release dated 12th July 2005.

Shown below for comparison is a recent "standard" Skybus ticket

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