13 Dec 2009: SEQ: Unable to touch on with your go card? What is reasonable?

[ozbob]

Media Release 13 December 2009

SEQ:  Unable to touch on with your go card?  What is reasonable?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has called for a clarification of the TransLink go card policy as to what users are to do if they are unable to touch on with a go card.  As we are about to progressively move to a 100% go card ticketing environment and in view of regular equipment failures it is essential that all users have the confidence to travel in an untouched state without fear of fare evasion fines.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The TransLink go card user guide has the following FAQ (1)

'What if I can't touch on or touch off because the card reader is not working?

If all card readers are not working at a station, on board a bus or ferry and despite your attempts, you are unable
to touch on, you can travel for free to complete your trip. You should not touch off at the end of your trip.
If questioned by an authorised staff member, you will need to advise them of the time and station, or service,
where you were unable to touch on or touch off due to the unavailability of any working go card equipment.
In the case where other card readers are available for use, you must touch on from a working card reader
before travelling.'"

"In the case of bus and ferry, this policy is clear as operators wave users on board.  We estimate that presently a go card user has about a 1 in 25 chance of a free trip on bus, and probably around 1 in 100 or less on rail.  The problem with the policy for rail go card users is how reasonable is it for a user to be forced to run from platform to platform in a vain attempt to find a reader that is working? Particularly as the user's physical condition, for what ever reason, may make this a very difficult thing to do if not impossible. It is also a health and safety risk and against Queensland Rail's Zero Harm Safety policy if large numbers of users are running around stations desperately trying to find a functioning go card reader before the imminent arrival of their train."

"Fare evasion is a serious offence. Go card users, with ample credit on their card and who are unable to touch on at their platform should be given the option that bus and ferry passengers get. Why should rail passengers be fined for equipment failures if one of only 10 readers was working?  How on earth does a user ascertain that all readers are down other than run from platform to platform?"

"There are many aspects of the go card system that need further thought ... "

References:

1.   http://download.translink.com.au/go/080701_userguide20,21,22,23,24.pdf

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Follow up, to all outlets:

11th January 2010

Greetings,

On the 13th December (see below) we asked the question was it both reasonable and safe to expect go card users to run from platform to platform in a vain attempt to find a functioning go card reader when the readers are not functioning on their platform of departure or concourse as appropriate.

As is the case with many matters go, there is no response.  Go card users are being treated in an appalling manner and with ongoing contempt.

The latest update of the go card user guide still has this policy:

What if I can't touch on or touch off because the card
reader is not working?

If all card readers are not working at a station, on board
a bus or ferry and despite your attempts, you are unable
to touch on, you can travel for free to complete your
trip. You should not touch off at the end of your trip.
If questioned by an authorised staff member, you will
need to advise them of the time and station, or service,
where you were unable to touch on or touch off due to
the unavailability of any working go card equipment.
In the case where other card readers are available for
use, you must touch on from a working card reader
before travelling.

http://download.translink.com.au/go/091223_userguide.pdf  page 21

As commuters are being forced to use the go card because of the high cost of paper, isn't reasonable to clarify this policy please?  We think that it is not only a health and safety matter, but possibly a human rights issue as well ( http://www.hreoc.gov.au/ ).  It is also discrimination against the  less physically able.

This policy needs URGENT clarification.

It is time that this go card roll out was properly sorted out.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track

====================

Media Release 13 December 2009

SEQ:  Unable to touch on with your go card?  What is reasonable?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has called for a clarification of the TransLink go card policy as to what users are to do if they are unable to touch on with a go card.  As we are about to progressively move to a 100% go card ticketing environment and in view of regular equipment failures it is essential that all users have the confidence to travel in an untouched state without fear of fare evasion fines.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The TransLink go card user guide has the following FAQ (1)

'What if I can't touch on or touch off because the card reader is not working?

If all card readers are not working at a station, on board a bus or ferry and despite your attempts, you are unable
to touch on, you can travel for free to complete your trip. You should not touch off at the end of your trip.
If questioned by an authorised staff member, you will need to advise them of the time and station, or service,
where you were unable to touch on or touch off due to the unavailability of any working go card equipment.
In the case where other card readers are available for use, you must touch on from a working card reader
before travelling.'"

"In the case of bus and ferry, this policy is clear as operators wave users on board.  We estimate that presently a go card user has about a 1 in 25 chance of a free trip on bus, and probably around 1 in 100 or less on rail.  The problem with the policy for rail go card users is how reasonable is it for a user to be forced to run from platform to platform in a vain attempt to find a reader that is working? Particularly as the user's physical condition, for what ever reason, may make this a very difficult thing to do if not impossible. It is also a health and safety risk and against Queensland Rail's Zero Harm Safety policy if large numbers of users are running around stations desperately trying to find a functioning go card reader before the imminent arrival of their train."

"Fare evasion is a serious offence. Go card users, with ample credit on their card and who are unable to touch on at their platform should be given the option that bus and ferry passengers get. Why should rail passengers be fined for equipment failures if one of only 10 readers was working?  How on earth does a user ascertain that all readers are down other than run from platform to platform?"

"There are many aspects of the go card system that need further thought ... "

References:

1.   http://download.translink.com.au/go/080701_userguide20,21,22,23,24.pdf

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org