MYKI has come to Footscray train station – and has already experienced its first wave of vandalism.

A Myki ticketing machine was installed on platform one about a month ago, with it’s blue touchscreen reading “Getting ready for Myki”.

Footscray is one of 60 train stations to have some form of Myki equipment installed.

Reading devices have been popping up around Melbourne’s trams and buses since April.

Adrian Darwent from the Transport Ticketing Authority said more than 17,000 Myki devices were being rolled out across Melbourne’s train and tram and bus network.

Mr Darwent said the Tottenham, West Footscray, Middle Footscray, Seddon and Yarraville train stations would be fitted with Myki machines “soon”.

The machine is markedly smaller than the existing Metcard machine, but Mr Darwent said it was simply a case of technology increasingly fitting more in less.

“If you have a look at the first mobile phones that came out they were like bricks and over time they have been made smaller and can do more.

“Essentially that’s what’s happening with this ticketing system … and we also need to meet requirements for the Disability Discrimination Act.”

The Footscray machine was graffitied on shortly after being installed. The graffiti has already been cleaned up.

“It’s really unfortunate that people do that, but the contractor was made aware of it and someone was sent out to clean that up,” Mr Darwent said.

The $1.3 billion ticketing system has had its fair share of controversy in recent years for going $850 million over budget and two years over its scheduled release.

The Myki system is currently being trialled in Geelong, Seymour, Ballarat, Bendigo and the Latrobe Valley.

Mr Darwent said the first cards were expected to be used in Melbourne at the end of this year.