What is Metcard?
[[Image:Mvm1-machine.jpg|thumb|A Metcard vending machine]] A '''Metcard''' is a type of ticket used to use [[public transport]] in [[Melbourne, Australia]]. It allows the holder to use [[Railway|Trains]], [[Trams]] and [[Buses]], in two zones (<font color=goldenrod>'''Zone 1'''</font> and <font color=blue>'''Zone 2'''</font><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/fares_tickets/metropolitan_fares_and_tickets/metropolitan_zones |title=Metropolitan zones - Metlink - Your guide to public transport in Melbourne and Victoria |access-date=2008-05-31 |archive-date=2008-07-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719074514/http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/fares_tickets/metropolitan_fares_and_tickets/metropolitan_zones |url-status=dead }}</ref>). Zone 1 covers areas close to the [[CBD]], and Zone 2 covers the rest of the city. There used to be a <font color=red> '''Zone 3''' </font>, but that has been [[merged]] with Zone 2.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/no-more-zone-3-lifts-load-on-commuters-20070303-ge4cc2.html|title=No more Zone 3 lifts load on commuters|first=Stephen|last=Moynihan|date=3 March 2007|website=The Age}}</ref> The ticket is about the size of a [[credit card]], and contains a magnitic strip that tells a computer what type of ticket it is. ==History== Metcard replaced a identical yet simpler system of scratchies used on the Melbourne public transport network. Scratchies were easy to cheat and the system was eventually abandoned in 2002,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.robx1.net/victkt/metcard/html/finale.htm |title=Metcard - The End of Met Ticket |publisher=www.robx1.net |accessdate=2008-03-27 |archive-date=2008-09-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908034201/http://www.robx1.net/victkt/metcard/html/finale.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> but not before tickets for many years of use were printed. Moves towards automated ticketing were first made by the then state Liberal Government in [[1992]]. Tenders were called for the design, supply, installati