Thousands hit by latest myki glitch
The Victorian Transport Ticketing Authority (TTA) has written to thousands of myki customers about a glitch in its ticketing system that didn't charge them for tickets. The TTA is now chasing commuters for the money owed to it.
It was a disconnect between the ticketing system and banks that allowed 2400 myki customers to get away with not paying for tickets on the Melbourne public transport system, first reported by The Age.
The TTA told ZDNet Australia today that most commuters affected owed less than $100, adding that it has put safeguards into place to ensure that the glitch doesn't happen again.
In a twist, however, another glitch, this one in the myki email system, saw commuters who owed over $200 sent multiple emails about their outstanding bill.
The TTA has apologised for both glitches.
"All of these customers received a follow-up email, and we are in the process of contacting them all by telephone to discuss their individual circumstances and a repayment plan," TTA CEO Bernie Carolan told ZDNet Australia in a statement today.
The TTA will offer commuters 20 per cent off of their fee due to the glitch.
This isn't the first time Melbourne commuters have been stung with myki drama. In January, 30,000 cards were recalled after they were issued "in an inactive state", and there have been several account balance snafus: one user was credited with $470,000 when he only wanted to put $5 on his card, while a "programming error" put $150,000 in the accounts of two different commuters.