Imagine a public transport upgrade so botched that it becomes the talk of the town—not for its innovation, but for its colossal failure. That’s exactly what happened with Canberra’s MyWay+ rollout, a $64-million project that promised cashless payments, smartphone integration, and real-time passenger updates by November 27, 2024. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite warnings from stakeholders and glaring red flags, the ACT government pressed ahead with the launch, leaving commuters frustrated and trust in public transport shattered. And this is the part most people miss: the project wasn’t just delayed—it was fundamentally flawed, with accessibility issues, a clunky user interface, and absurd journey suggestions that made it nearly unusable for many.
ACT Transport Minister Chris Steel has been censured over this debacle, with a parliamentary committee slamming the project as “too large and complex” for the government to handle. The committee’s report, tabled in December 2024, revealed that community testing was so poorly executed it was “almost meaningless.” One tester even described the experience as “Pythonesque,” highlighting just how far off the mark it was.
But what’s truly shocking is the lack of transparency. The report pointed out significant gaps in cost reporting, making it impossible to determine if the project stayed within budget or accounted for lost revenue. Even more troubling, MyWay+ failed to meet basic accessibility requirements, leaving people with disabilities in the lurch. As the report bluntly stated, “If legislated accessibility requirements could not be met at launch, then MyWay+ was not ready to launch.”
Public outrage was palpable, with over 100 submissions to the inquiry painting a grim picture. One user called the website “one of the clumsiest, most user-hateful of the modern era,” while another highlighted the app’s bizarre suggestions, like recommending an 8-hour walk instead of a practical public transport route.
Minister Steel defended the timing of the rollout, denying it was politically motivated. He blamed the shutdown of the 3G network, which the original MyWay system relied on, for the rushed launch. But critics argue the project was pushed through to align with election timing—a claim Steel denies.
In the Legislative Assembly, Steel acknowledged the rollout’s “teething issues” but insisted it was Canberra’s most significant transport upgrade in a decade. However, Greens MLA Andrew Braddock wasn’t convinced. He moved a censure motion against Steel, which passed with support from the Canberra Liberals and independents. Braddock called the MyWay+ debacle “historic” and demanded accountability, particularly for vulnerable Canberrans disproportionately affected by the failures.
Here’s the bold question: Was this a case of overambition, poor planning, or political expediency? Opposition Leader Leanne Castley warned of future censure motions if ministers aren’t held accountable, while Steel promised ongoing improvements and a formal response to the inquiry’s 22 findings and seven recommendations.
This isn’t Steel’s first brush with controversy. He’s previously apologized for a botched $77 million payroll program and questionable contracts at the Canberra Institute of Technology. But MyWay+ stands out as a cautionary tale of what happens when projects are rushed without proper oversight.
As the community watches closely, one thing is clear: the MyWay+ saga is far from over. What do you think? Was this a preventable disaster, or an unavoidable consequence of modern infrastructure challenges? Let us know in the comments—your voice matters in this ongoing debate.
