Huh?  Run that by me again???  The sole and only purpose of the Myki is to replicate a manual system, and it will cost over $1B to do so???

Reminds me of an old quote... “never mind the quality, feel the width.”

OK, considering the conductor-based system, let's consider the 'progress' we're making with the technical Mickey (sorry, Myki).

1. With the Myki, patrons can anonymously purchase tickets.
 
 That's a good thing, right?  Actually, in  effect, they can't.  If travellers are a concession-holder (student, disabled, low income etc) or any user who wants to be able to 'own' the stored value on their card, they must register.  Non-registered owners 'bequeath' the value to whoever steals the card.

2. The Myki reduces unpaid travel.

 Ummm... no.  When there are no conductors, anyone wanting a free ride is at the mercy of the transit cops.  Here's a hint everyone, the likelihood of inspectors is inversely proportional to the socio-economic status of the END-POINT of the tram ride.  As evidence, for 1 month I rode the 75 tram to work; on a significant number of journeys I was accosted by the inspectors.  In that one month, my record was three inspections on a single journey.  I then relocated 'upmarket' and began using the 48 tram.  I'm quite confident that I've not yet seen in over two years (in total) as many inspectors as I saw on the 75 in one month.  Fortune favours the rich, as they say.

A variety of other research I've seen suggests that between 5% and 50% (great data, huh!) of all journeys are unpaid.  I'll accept that the 50% figure is absurd and is probably based on observation that the majority of evening travellers don't validate their Metcard – most of who are holders of daily or longer-period tickets and simply can't be bothered.  After-all – why?   Validation isn't for their benefit.

There is nothing in the Myki design that changes any of this.  Never-mind the absurd swipe-on, swipe-off horse-exhaust, which I've discussed previously.

3. The Myki assists tourism.

 Uh huh.  When was the last time a smart card was able to tell a foreign tourist the history of Flinders Street Station?  Or any other useful information??

Better, I have yet to hear how the system will manage pay-upon-boarding tickets.  Everything I've seen suggests it won't be possible.  the tourists will be clambering over each-other to be involved.