Programming error causes $150k Myki windfall
An error in Victoria's recently implemented Myki smart card system has seen two customers credited over $150,000 to their accounts.
The company operating the system, Kamco, has also admitted it has credited a further 28 accounts with incorrect amounts, and has chalked the mistakes up to a "programming error".
"The amount being credited is not 'real' money and cannot be withdrawn from the card. We are working with our software development partner ACS to fix the error," Kamco spokesperson John Fergusson said in a statement.
Until the error is fixed, however, the company will have to contact individual customers and replace their cards to reset credit amounts.
The Myki system has encountered many problems since the beginning of its roll-out, which started in Geelong then moved to Melbourne. Over 10,000 errors were reported in transactions by August 2009, and 30,000 cards were recalled in January this year.
The Kamco consortium has had its own problems, flying in experts to help get Myki working across the different transport systems and also facing legal action from ERG Group over terminated contract costs.
Despite these problems, almost 115,000 Melbournians had signed up for the Myki smart card at the start of this year.
It has been reported that commuters are using the new system as an excuse to avoid paying fares.