Numbering on the front of Metcards

Page last modified/checked: Wednesday, 9 October 2002
I assume the numbering on the front of the Metcards started at 000001 and continued "upwards" sequentially. In compiling this list, I have attempted to match the number groups with the front designs and where possible, an approximate date of issue. This list is purely guesswork and compiled from actual Metcards I have or have seen; the gaps in the number sequence are unknown at this stage.

The issuing process for rail based machines

When loaded into a machine, the blank Metcards are contained in a cardboard box (with the top removed), approximately 30cms square and the width of a Metcard wide. The Metcards are joined in a continuous strip with perforations between each one. Interestingly, the sequential ticket numbers run from the highest on top, to the lowest at the bottom of the box. This means that when the Metcards are issued, the sequence of tickets coming out of a machine is typically 00100 (MA 4), 00099 (MA 3), 00098 (MA 2), 00097 (MA 1), 00096 (MA 4), in that order. Note that as well as the sequential Metcard numbers running "backwards", the designators on the front of the Metcards also run "backwards" !! This may be helpful to remember if you need a particular design to complete a set. However; the issued ticket number printed on the rear of the ticket at the time of purchase runs sequentially "forward" from lowest to highest. I'll try to show an example of the actual issuing order here:
 

Front number (ticket number	Designator			Rear number (ticket number
as originally printed)						in issued order from that
								particular machine)

Runs highest to lowest		Runs highest to lowest		Runs lowest to highest

	00100				M A4				00001
	00099				M A3				00002
	00098				M A2				00003
	00097				M A1				00004
	00096				M A4				00005
	00095				M A3				00006, etc

The smaller MVM 1 machines have a single box of Metcards available for issue at any one time,whilst the larger MVM 2 machines normally have the current design on issue via the left handslot, and another box of "stand-by" issues, which may be of a considerably older design and much lower number sequence available for issue via the right hand slot. Apparently, when the MVM 2 detects the supply of current stock from the left hand slot is low or exhausted, it automatically switches over to the "stand-by" issues, and issues an alert that the current stock requires replenishment. This (along with the low useage of some MVM 1 machines) is part of the reason that some of the older designs and lower numbers are still able to be found. I have heard that the right hand slot was originally intended to issue "Metcard Xpress" smart card type tickets (which have yet to appear). The front numbering appears to be done by dot matrix type printers with a great variety of print styles and sizes.

The list

The commas are shown to clarify the ticket number. They do not appear on the actual tickets.
Remember, these are very approximate guesses of number groups and dates!! 

Front numbers		Earliest date		Front design
			known

000,001 to 99,999	Test issues ?		Standard front, designator "C"
						Known exceptions:
						15293 - "TEST ONLY" front, designator "C"
						34541 - "3 arrows" front, no designator
						57625 - "TEST ONLY" front, designator "C"
						61991 - "3 arrows" front, no designator
						92561 - "TEST ONLY" front, designator "C"

100,001 to 199,999	Test issues ?		Standard front, designator "C"

200,001 to 299,999	Test issues ?		Standard front, designator "C"
						Known exceptions:
						260,644 - "TEST ONLY" front, designator "C"
						260,714 - "TEST ONLY" front, designator "C"
						262,618 - "TEST ONLY" front, designator "C"
						293,787 - "TEST ONLY" front, designator "C"
						297,996 - "TEST ONLY" front, designator "C"
						313,926 - "TEST ONLY" front, designator "C"
						451,211 - "TEST ONLY" front, designator "C"
						579,036 - "TEST ONLY" front, designator "C"

300,001 to 999,999	Sept 1996		Standard front, designator "C"
						Known exceptions:
						821,588 - "3 arrows" front, no designator
						824,755 - "3 arrows" front, no designator
						830,454 - "TEST ONLY" front, MB 2 designator
						830,455 - "TEST ONLY" front, MB 3 designator
						830,456 - "TEST ONLY" front, MB 4 designator
						830,461 - "TEST ONLY" front, MB 1 designator
						849,777 - "TEST ONLY" front, MA 1 designator
						849,778 - "TEST ONLY" front, MA 2 designator

1,000,001					Standard front, designator "C"
to 1,999,999					& standard front, designator "M"
(mixed)

2,000,001 					Standard front, designator "C"
to 2,999,999					& standard front, designator "M"
(mixed)

3,000,001 					Standard front, designator "M"
to 4,499,999					

4,500,001 					Standard front, designator "C"
to 13,999,999					Known exception:
						10,562,192 standard front, designator "M"	

14,000,001					Standard front, no designator
to 14,999,999					& standard front, designator "C"
(mixed)

15,000,001					Standard front, no designator
to 18,999,999

19,000,001					Standard front, no designator
to 20,999,999					& standard front, designator "C"
(mixed)

21,000,001					Standard front no designator
to 21,999,999

22,000,001					Standard front, no designator
to 22,999,999					& standard front, designator "C"
(mixed)

23,000,001					Standard front, no designator
to 23,999,999

24,000,001					Standard front, no designator
to 25,424,999					& standard front, designator "C"
(mixed)

25,425,001					Standard front, designator "C"
to 34,999,999


35,000,001 		** Unknown
to 35,999,999


36,000,001					Standard front, designator "C"
to 48,999,999

49,000,001					Standard front, designator "M"
to 65,999,999

66,000,001					Standard front, designator "Ma1 Mb2 Mc3 etc"
to 75,999,999

76,000,001					Standard front, designator "M-a1 M-b2,M-c3, etc"
to 83,999,999					& Standard front, designator "Ma1 Mb2,Mc3, etc"
(mixed)

84,000,001					Standard front, designator "Ma1 Mb2 Mc3 etc"
to 101,999,999

102,000,001					Standard front, designator "Ma1 Mb2 Mc3 etc" &
to 102,999,999					& Standard front, designator "M-a1 M-b2,M-c3, etc"
(mixed)

103,000,001					Standard front, designator "M-a1 M-b2,M-c3, etc"
to 105,999,999

106,000,001					Standard front, designator "M-a1 M-b2,M-c3, etc"
to 110,999,999					& Standard front, designator "Ma1 Mb2,Mc3, etc"
(mixed)

111,000,001		September 1999		Standard front, designator "Ma1 Mb2 Mc3 etc"
to 111,999,999					& Melbourne Food (yellow stripe)
(mixed)

112,000,001		September 1999		Melbourne Food (yellow stripe)
to 117,199,999

117,200,001		September 1999		Melbourne Food (no stripe)
to 119,399,999

119,400,001		October 1999		freeonline.com
to 120,999,999

121,000,001		October 1999		freeonline.com
to 126,099,999					& Melbourne Food (no stripe)
(mixed)

126,100,001		October 1999		Melbourne Food (no stripe)
to 129,399,999

129,400,001		December 1999		Millenium Metcards
to 141,099,999


141,100,001 		** Unknown
to 150,999,999


151,041,001+		January 2000		Adult Yearlies

151,050,001+		January 2000		Student Yearlies
151,052,001+
151,060,001+
151,062,001+
151,070,001+

151,100,001+ 		January 2000		Student 1st Half Yearlies
151,104,000+
151,106,000+
151,107,001+
151,108,000+

151,114,001+		January 2000		Student 2nd Half Yearlies
151,147,001+

151,200,001 		January 2000		Millenium Metcards
to 157,999,999

158,000,001		April 2000		Architecture
to 161,199,999


161,200,001		** Unknown
to 162,199,999


162,200,001		July 2000		Standard front, designator "C"
to 162,749,999

162,750,001		May 2000		Comedy Festival
to 167,649,999

167,650,001		May 2000		Architecture
to 179,899,999

179,900,001		July 2000		Olympic Soccer
to 182,699,999

182,700,001		July 2000		Architecture
to 184,699,999

184,700,001		September 2000		Olympic Soccer
to 187,249,999

187,250,001		November 2000		ArtFair2000
to 189,699,999

189,700,001		November 2000		Fares & Travel Guide
to 192,649,999

192,650,001		July 2000		Olympic Soccer
to 197,249,999

197,250,001             September 2000          ArtFair2000
to 204,699,999

204,700,001             November 2000           Fares & Travel Guide
to 208,599,999

208,600,001             November 2000           Great Jubilee Mass
to 209,499,999

209,500,001             December 2000           Fares & Travel Guide
to 218,599,999

218,600,001            February 2001		Blue Generic
to 232,700,000+


232,700,001		** Unknown
to 244,000,000


244,000,001             January 2001            Fares & Travel Guide
to 246,599,999

246,600,001             March 2001              Blue Generic
to 254,174,999

254,175,001             February 2001           Standard Front, Designator "C"
to 255,199,999

255,200,001		February 2001		Blue Generic
to 255,999,999					& Standard Front, Designator "S1" and "S2"
(mixed)
	
256,000,001             April 2001              Blue Generic
to 256,169,999					& Standard Front, Designator "S1" and "S2"
(mixed)

256,173,001+		January 2001		2001 Yearly Student Pass
256,174,001+
256,179,001+
256,181,001+
256,187,001+
256,189,001+
256,198,001+
256,200,001+
256,204,001+

256,206,001+		January 2001		2001 1st Half Yearly Student Pass
256,207,001+
256,208,001+
256,209,001+
256,210,001+
256,211,001+
256,219,001+
256,220,001+
256,221,001+
256,230,001+
256,234,001+

256,242,001+		July 2001		2001 2nd Half Yearly Student Pass
256,243,001+
256,252,001+
256,260,001+

256,270,001+		January 2002		2002 Yearly Student Pass
256,285,001+
256,301,001+

256,302,001+		January 2002		2002 1st Half Yearly Student Pass
256,304,001+
256,306,001+
256,308,001+
256,312,001+
256,315,001+
256,316,001+
256,318,001+
256,326,001+

256,351,001+		July 2002		2002 2nd Half Yearly Student Pass

257,000,001		July 2001		Blue Generic
to 267,199,999

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