Canberra's MyWay+ system replaced the old MyWay card in 2024, bringing tap-and-go convenience to the city's buses and light rail. For over-50 travellers holding a Seniors Card or pension concession card, the fares are genuinely low — but the eligibility rules and how to register your concession are worth understanding before you travel. This guide walks you through the practical steps so you can move around the capital with confidence.
What is MyWay+ and how does it work?
MyWay+ is Canberra's integrated public transport ticketing system, covering ACTION buses and the Canberra Metro light rail line. It replaced the older MyWay card system in 2024. The key difference for visitors is that MyWay+ is account-based: you link a Visa or Mastercard (credit, debit, or prepaid) to an online account, and that card becomes your ticket. There is no separate physical transit card to buy or top up.
When you board a bus or light rail service, you tap your registered bank card or a digital wallet (such as Apple Pay or Google Pay) on the reader. The system calculates the correct fare — including any concession discount — because your account knows your card and your registered entitlement. If you travel more than a set number of trips in a week, a daily and weekly fare cap applies automatically, which is worth knowing if you plan a busy few days of sightseeing.
For travellers who prefer not to link a personal bank card, a MyWay+ transit card can be purchased and loaded with credit, then registered to an account. Check the Transport Canberra website for current options, as the product range has continued to evolve since launch. The official source for all fare and card information is transport.act.gov.au, and it is always worth confirming details there before your trip.
Who qualifies for a concession fare on MyWay+?
Concession fares on MyWay+ are available to holders of a range of cards, including the ACT Concession Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, Pensioner Concession Card, and Health Care Card. The important detail for Victorian travellers is that an ACT-issued Seniors Card is eligible for concession fares, but the Victorian Seniors Card is not automatically accepted in the same way — the ACT does not currently extend its transit concession to interstate Seniors Cards.
If you hold a Commonwealth-issued card such as a Pensioner Concession Card or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, you are on stronger ground, as these are federally issued and generally recognised across ACT concession categories. That said, fare rules can change, and the single most reliable thing you can do is check the current concession eligibility list at transport.act.gov.au before you travel. Do not rely on assumptions from a previous visit.
For a group of friends travelling together from regional Victoria, it is worth each person checking their own card situation individually. One person in the group might hold a Pensioner Concession Card while another holds only a Victorian Seniors Card — their fare entitlements in Canberra will differ. Planning this out before you leave saves confusion at the ticket reader and avoids anyone being caught short.
How do you register a concession card with MyWay+?
Registering your concession entitlement is done through your MyWay+ online account. You create an account at transport.act.gov.au, add your payment method, and then submit your concession card details for verification. The registration is free and, once approved, the discounted fare applies automatically every time you tap on. There is no need to show a card to a driver or inspector — the account does the work.
Approval is not always instant. If you are planning a trip to Canberra, set up and register your concession at least a week or two before you travel to allow for processing time. Trying to register on the morning you arrive and hoping for same-day approval is a risk not worth taking. If your concession is not yet verified, full adult fares will apply until it is confirmed.
If you run into trouble with the online process — which can happen if you are less familiar with account-based apps — Transport Canberra has a customer service line and a walk-in service centre. Details are listed on the Transport Canberra website. It is also worth asking at your accommodation whether staff have helped other guests with the process, as hotels and serviced apartments near the city centre often field this question.
The light rail line: what does it connect, and is it easy to use?
The Canberra Metro light rail runs along Northbourne Avenue between Gungahlin Town Centre in the north and the City interchange stop near Alinga Street in central Canberra. It is a single line with 13 stops, and the journey from end to end takes roughly 25 minutes. For visitors, the most useful stops are City, Civic (the stop for the city centre), and stops along Northbourne Avenue that connect to accommodation precincts.
The trams are modern, low-floor vehicles with level boarding at platform height, which makes them straightforward for travellers who use a walking stick, have a knee that protests on steps, or are simply carrying luggage. Seats are plentiful outside of peak commuter hours, and the ride is smooth. If you are staying in Braddon or along the Northbourne corridor, the light rail is a genuinely pleasant way to reach the city centre without navigating traffic or parking.
From the City interchange stop, you can transfer to ACTION buses that reach the parliamentary triangle, the National Gallery, the National Museum, and other major attractions. The interchange is covered and has seating. Timetable information and real-time departure boards are available through the Transport Canberra website and app, which is worth downloading before you travel.
Key bus routes for sightseeing around Canberra
Canberra's bus network covers the main visitor destinations, though it rewards a little planning. The parliamentary triangle — home to Parliament House, the National Gallery of Australia, the National Portrait Gallery, and Old Parliament House — is served by several routes from the City interchange. Route numbers and frequencies change periodically, so check the current timetable at transport.act.gov.au or use the Transport Canberra journey planner rather than relying on older printed guides.
The Australian War Memorial at the northern end of Anzac Parade is well served by bus from the city, and the route along Anzac Parade itself is a dignified approach to the memorial. For the National Museum of Australia on the Acton Peninsula, a bus runs from the city, though some travellers find a taxi or rideshare more straightforward for that particular destination given the peninsula's layout. The Australian National Botanic Gardens, adjacent to the ANU campus, are also reachable by bus.
A practical tip for a group travelling together: Canberra is also very flat and well set up for walking between some inner attractions, but distances are deceptive — what looks close on a map can be a 25-minute walk in full sun. For anyone managing energy levels across a multi-day trip, using the bus for longer legs and walking only the shorter ones is a sensible approach. The Transport Canberra journey planner will show walking time as well as transit time, which helps with realistic scheduling.
Practical tips for getting the most from MyWay+ as an older traveller
Carry your concession card with you even after registering it online. Inspectors may ask to see the physical card that matches your registered entitlement, particularly on the light rail. A Pensioner Concession Card or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card is small enough to sit in a card sleeve in your wallet without any effort. This is standard practice on most Australian transit systems and Canberra is no different.
The fare cap system means that if you are making multiple trips in a day — say, out to the War Memorial in the morning, back to the city for lunch, and then to the National Gallery in the afternoon — you will not keep paying full per-trip fares indefinitely. The daily cap kicks in and limits your total spend. At concession rates, the daily cap is even more modest. Check the current cap amounts on the Transport Canberra website, as these are adjusted periodically.
Canberra winters are genuinely cold, and bus stops in exposed locations along Northbourne Avenue can be chilly. If you are travelling in June or July, pack a layer you can pull on while waiting. Conversely, summer days in January and February can be very hot. Most buses and the light rail are air-conditioned, but the wait can be uncomfortable. Checking real-time arrival information through the app so you are not standing outside longer than necessary is a small but worthwhile habit.
Is Canberra's public transport accessible for travellers with mobility considerations?
The light rail is fully accessible, with level boarding, priority seating, and space for wheelchairs and mobility aids. Platforms are covered and have tactile ground indicators. For travellers who use a walking frame or scooter, it is worth checking the dimensions and weight limits that apply to mobility aids on Transport Canberra services — this information is published on the Transport Canberra accessibility page.
ACTION buses in the ACT fleet are generally low-floor with kneeling capability, meaning the front of the bus lowers to reduce the step height at kerb level. Not every stop has a raised kerb or shelter, however, particularly in suburban areas away from the main routes. If you are travelling to a specific destination that is not on a main corridor, it is worth checking street-level photos of the stop in advance so you know what to expect on arrival.
Canberra's major cultural institutions — Parliament House, the National Gallery, the War Memorial, the National Museum — all have strong accessibility infrastructure, with accessible parking, lifts, and rest areas. The public transport connections to these venues are generally the least challenging part of the day. If anyone in your group has specific needs, ringing the venue directly before the visit is always worthwhile, as staff are experienced in helping visitors plan their time.
Key takeaways
- MyWay+ is account-based: link your bank card or a transit card to an online account and your concession fare applies automatically when you tap on.
- Victorian Seniors Card holders are generally not eligible for ACT transit concessions — Commonwealth-issued cards such as the Pensioner Concession Card have broader recognition.
- Register your concession with MyWay+ at least one to two weeks before you travel to allow time for verification.
- The Canberra Metro light rail runs along Northbourne Avenue with 13 stops and takes around 25 minutes end to end — low-floor trams make it accessible for most mobility needs.
- A daily fare cap limits your total spend on MyWay+ regardless of how many trips you make — at concession rates, this makes a busy sightseeing day genuinely affordable.
- Always carry the physical concession card that matches your registered MyWay+ entitlement, as inspectors may ask to see it.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I use my Victorian Seniors Card for a concession fare on Canberra's MyWay+ system?
The ACT transport concession scheme does not currently extend to interstate Seniors Cards, including the Victorian Seniors Card. If you hold a Commonwealth-issued card such as a Pensioner Concession Card or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, you are more likely to be eligible. Always confirm your specific card's eligibility at transport.act.gov.au before travelling, as rules can change.
How do I set up MyWay+ before my Canberra trip?
Create a free account at transport.act.gov.au, add your Visa or Mastercard (credit, debit, or prepaid) as your payment method, and submit your concession card details for verification if applicable. Allow at least one to two weeks before your trip for concession registration to be processed. Once approved, tap your registered card or digital wallet on any bus or light rail reader and the correct fare is charged automatically.
Where does the Canberra light rail go, and which stops are most useful for visitors?
The Canberra Metro light rail runs between Gungahlin Town Centre in the north and the City interchange near Alinga Street in central Canberra, along Northbourne Avenue. The City stop is the main interchange for connecting buses to Canberra's major cultural attractions, including Parliament House, the National Gallery, and the Australian War Memorial. The full journey takes around 25 minutes.
Is there a daily fare cap on MyWay+, and how does it work?
Yes. MyWay+ applies an automatic daily fare cap, meaning once your trips in a day reach a set total, further travel on that day is free. A weekly cap also applies. The cap amounts differ between full adult and concession fares. Check the current cap figures at transport.act.gov.au, as these are reviewed periodically and confirmed figures should not be assumed from older sources.
Do I need to carry my physical concession card if I have registered it with MyWay+?
Yes. Even after registering your concession card online, it is advisable to carry the physical card when travelling on Canberra's buses and light rail. Transport Canberra inspectors may ask to see the card that corresponds to your registered concession entitlement. A Pensioner Concession Card or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card is small and easy to keep in a wallet.
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