Fixed fares on the go to increase ...

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk doubles go card penalty fares for errant commuters

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk doubles go card penalty fares for errant commuters

    by Robyn Ironside
    From: The Courier-Mail
    May 13, 2011 12:00AM

Go card penalty fare to double

TRAIN commuters who fail to touch-off their go card will be slugged with a $10 fee from the end of the month.

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk will today announce the "fixed fare" charged by Translink will double from May 30, in a crackdown on commuters who deliberately fail to touch-off because the penalty is cheaper than the train or bus fare.

She said that fare evaders were costing the State Government about $18 million in lost revenue a year.

"Translink studies show about 70,000 trips a month are fare evaders taking advantage of the low penalty rate by deliberately not touching off at the end of their journey," Ms Palaszczuk said.

She said the penalty rate was initially kept low to allow the large number of new go card users to get used to the system.

"With go card use now at 80 per cent and the system operating to world-class standard, we are looking to target those who evade fares by deliberately abusing the system," Ms Palaszczuk said. "Raising penalties will minimise this type of fare evasion."

The fixed fare for bus users would rise from $2.50 to $5, she said.

Opposition transport spokesman Scott Emerson said it would be those commuters who forgot to touch-off who would be unfairly penalised by the planned price hike in the fixed fare.

"Measures need to be introduced so the honest commuter who accidentally forgets to tag off has a chance to rectify the problem," Mr Emerson said.

"They could be sent an email, for instance, alerting them that they had failed to tag off and given a 12-hour grace period to go and do it."

But Translink chief executive officer Peter Strachan said the higher fixed fare would not disadvantage honest commuters.

"Customers who make an honest mistake or are unable to touch-off can still simply go online to request an adjustment," Mr Strachan said.

"Users who touch-on or touch-off incorrectly receive a message displayed on the card reader next time they use their go card."

Translink has also installed barriers at nine train stations to reduce fare evasion, and is in the process of adding barriers to two more Gold Coast stations.

[ozbob]

The considerable disparity between the number of fixed fares and those actually reclaimed means two things:

1.  deliberate fare evasion is occurring, or

2.  users don't know they are copping fixed fares (seems to be a particular problem on buses ...) and/or some choose not to claim ...

TransLink tracker
http://translink.com.au/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/2010-11-quarterly-report-oct-to-dec.pdf
page 9

Fixed fares 3.45% of all trips.  Those reclaimed is 3.8 per 10000 trips with is equivalent to 0.04% actually reclaimed.  That is only 1 in 90 fixed fares is presently claimed back.  Interesting how TransLink presents that in the Tracker, I think designed to obstuficate a little ...

[ozbob]

Media release 13 May 2011

SEQ: Go card fixed fare increases, check your go card history ...

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers strongly supports attempts to crack down on fare evasion, however the disparity between the total number of fixed fares on the go card and those actually claimed back means that stepped up user education for the go card is also needed. (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The doubling of the fixed fares will act as a further incentive for users to touch correctly with the go card (1)."

"However, as shown in the TransLink tracker (2) there is a very considerable disparity between the total number of fixed fares, around 3.5% of all trips, and those actually claimed back, around 0.04% of all trips."

"Clearly this disparity reflects some fare evasion, but feedback we have received at RAIL Back On Track also suggests that many users are not aware that they are actually copping fixed fares due to system failures, particularly on the bus system. Some users also cannot be bothered with the claim process, but the increase in fixed fares may well change that."

"We would urge all go card users to regularly check their go card histories, and claim back the considerable amount of money that the may well be incorrectly debited. Errors do occur with the go card, it is not perfect so be 'go smart' and check regularly."

References:

1. http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/transport-minister-annastacia-palaszczuk-doubles-go-card-penalty-fares-for-errant-commuters/story-e6freoof-1226054909816

2. http://translink.com.au/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/2010-11-quarterly-report-oct-to-dec.pdf  page 9

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Transport and Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk
13/05/2011

Crackdown on fare evaders

Penalties for the misuse of go cards will rise from 30 May in a further push to crackdown on fare evasion, Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

This penalty, charged when go cards are deliberately not touched off, would increase to $10 for trains (concession $5) and $5 for buses/ferries (concession $2.50).

"Translink advise fare evaders cost the government approximately $18 million in lost revenue each year," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"That's money that could be spent on adding more bus services in growth areas for example."

Currently the penalty for failing to touch off is $5 for train and $3 for bus and ferry, which for bus and ferry is less than a two zone trip.

"The majority of customers do the right thing," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"However there are some customers who deliberately and repeatedly exploit the system.

"TransLink studies show about 70,000 trips a month are fare evaders taking advantage of the low penalty rate by deliberately not touching off at the end of their journey."

"These penalties were originally kept low due to the large number of new users taking up go card and getting used to the new system.

"With go card use now at 80 per cent and the system operating to world-class standard we are looking to target those who evade fares by deliberately abusing the system.

"Raising fixed fares will minimise this type of fare evasion."

Translink CEO Peter Strachan said the new fixed fares strike the right balance between tackling fare evasion and not disadvantaging honest commuters.

"Customers who make an honest mistake or are unable to touch off can still simply go on-line to request an adjustment," he said.

"Users who touch on or touch off incorrectly receive a message displayed on the card reader next time they use their go card."

"Changing penalties is the latest measure TransLink has undertaken in reducing fare evasion after the success of new fare gates and senior network officers."

"Go card misuse on the TransLink network remains steady at 3.45 per cent of all go card trips," he said.

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

"Go card misuse on the TransLink network remains steady at 3.45 per cent of all go card trips," he said.

Sloppy,  it is not necessarily go card misuse, often a system failure, eg.  bus readers not communicating and so forth ...

[Derwan]

"Customers who make an honest mistake or are unable to touch-off can still simply go online to request an adjustment," Mr Strachan said.

I thought that an "honest mistake" (e.g. forgetting to touch off) wasn't grounds for an adjustment?  Has this policy changed?

[ozbob]

Even seasoned users can forget to touch on, happened to a certain lady user last week (no names ...   )

What I have always been concerned about is the potential for an 'honest mistake' being a case of booked 'fare evasion'.  As suggested in our Smart go card user guide some things can be challenged ...

[Zoiks]

I always thought you could ring up and notify them of the error. They give you a couple of chances before they go hard luck.


I personally support these measures. Although, I feel that the oppositions plan with an email and grace period could be useful too.

[ozbob]

On behalf of go card users I also find it repugnant tainting them all as 'fare evaders' as we all know from observations many hapless pax get red lighted in blissful ignorance ...

[somebody]

Even seasoned users can forget to touch on, happened to a certain lady user last week (no names ...   )

What I have always been concerned about is the potential for an 'honest mistake' being a case of booked 'fare evasion'.  As suggested in our Smart go card user guide some things can be challenged ...

This has always been an issue.  Forgetting to buy a ticket has never been deemed a reasonable excuse.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Go Card penalty charge to double

Go Card penalty charge to double
Marissa Calligeros
May 13, 2011 - 7:43AM

The penalty charge for train commuters who fail to touch-off their Go Card will double under a crackdown on fare evaders.

The fixed charge for rail commuters will increase from $5 to $10 on May 30, while the charge for bus passengers will increase from $3 to $5.

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said the increase was designed to deter Go Card users deliberately failing to touch-off to avoid paying a full fare when the current penalty charge is cheaper.

''There are some customers who deliberately and repeatedly exploit the system,'' she said.

"TransLink studies show about 70,000 trips a month are fare evaders taking advantage of the low penalty rate by deliberately not touching off at the end of their journey."

Fare evaders cost the government about $18 million in lost revenue each year, according to Translink.

Go Card misuse remains steady a 3.45 per cent of all trips across the public transport network.

Translink chief executive Peter Strachan said the new fixed fares would not disadvantage honest commuters.

"Customers who make an honest mistake or are unable to touch off can still simply go on-line to request an adjustment," he said.

"Users who touch on or touch off incorrectly receive a message displayed on the card reader next time they use their go card."

The penalty increase is the latest measure to reduce fare evasion on the train network, following the introduction of fare gates at Central Station in July last year.

Robert Dow, spokesman for commuter lobby group Rail Back on Track, said honest commuters were often not aware they were charged penalty fares due to system failures, particularly on the bus system.

Mr Dow said only one in 90 fixed fares were claimed back by commuters.

"We would urge all Go Card users to regularly check their Go Card histories and claim back the considerable amount of money that they may well be incorrectly debited,'' he said.

''Errors do occur with the Go Card, it is not perfect.''

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/go-card-penalty-charge-to-double-20110513-1el2b.html#ixzz1MB3Lztj1

[ozbob]

Forgetting to buy a ticket has never been deemed a reasonable excuse.

Having credit on a go card and not being touched on due to a system failure or equipment that is foggy and inaudible is an entirely different matter. 
AFAIAW no one has been fitted yet, as it is a simple matter normally to track a users history and it is evident what has occurred.

[dwb]

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk doubles go card penalty fares for errant commuters

About time.

[O_128]

Funny how easy it is to change the system when it suits them yet its to hard to add capping, or weeklys

[Fares_Fair]

Funny how easy it is to change the system when it suits them yet its to hard to add capping, or weeklys

Point noted O_128, and true.

This will hopefully ease the fare evasion that is consistantly occurring.
I have been using my go card on rail since January 22 and thankfully, have had no problems.

Buses, however are an entirely different story due to their transient (though regular) locations.
Errors appear to occur far more often with readers on the buses and this needs to be taken into consideration when adjustments are required.

I may need to change my 'logo' picture here - but it reminds me of my campaign back in February 2008 to make the fares fair, the picture shows the proposed max. 23% tiered increases to the affected Sunshine Coast stations, hence my name here.
Maybe I will keep it for posterity.

Incidently, the SAY NO TO GoCard campaign was against the fare increases associated with the go card
and not the go card itself.


Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Zoiks]

To be fair, I think it would be easier to code an increase in the current penalty rate that is already in the system then implement a capping structure (even if it is available in sister networks)

[somebody]

To be fair, I think it would be easier to code an increase in the current penalty rate that is already in the system then implement a capping structure (even if it is available in sister networks)

Indeed.  Most likely there is a lookup table which has the rates, including date ranges for which they apply.  Changing the fixed fare would simply be a matter of changing this table.  Adding capping would likely be a code change, since every jurisdiction wants something slightly different.

[Golliwog]

They don't mention what the new fixed fare for the Airtrain is. Translink says it will become $30, which is the same as a two way fare. I fail to see the logic there.

[ozbob]

Opposition statement

Scott Emerson MP

Shadow Minister for Transport,

Multicultural Affairs and the Arts

LNP Member for Indooroopilly

13 May 2011

Public transport penalty fare fee hike could hurt honest commuters

The Bligh Labor Government must ensure honest commuters who accidentally forget to touch off their go cards are not unfairly caught up in a fare evader crackdown.

LNP Shadow Transport Minister Scott Emerson said while fare evaders deserved to be penalised, it was important commuters who make an honest mistake weren't unfairly slugged.

"The State Government must have measures in place to ensure the honest commuters who accidentally forget to tag off have a chance to rectify the problem," he said.

"This could include better signage at train stations and an SMS alert system that advises commuters they had failed to touch off and gives them a 12 hour grace period to pay."

Mr Emerson said while the new Transport Minister was quick to double penalty fares, she was still dragging her feet on the reintroduction of periodic ticketing.

"We should be encouraging as many people as possible to use public transport and making it easier to use to reduce congestion on our roads," he said.

"So far, all Labor has done is jack up public transport fares by 15 per cent a year, form yet another committee and double penalty fees.

"When she was appointed, Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk made sympathetic noises about reintroducing monthly, six monthly and 12 month tickets, but she has done nothing since.

"Under Labor, Queensland is always in catch up mode. In stark contrast, the Campbell Newman LNP team will forward plan, not live for the moment."

[Derwan]

Interesting reading the comments on the CM site.  Anyone would think everyone was being charged the penalty on a day-to-day basis!!

I haven't been charged a penalty for many months - probably well over a year.  I guess I'm a lucky one! 

[BrizCommuter]

Blogger is still not working, so I'll add a few words here.

What happens if a fixed fare incurred during a transfer, or after a service breakdown, prevents someone from transferring onto another service due to insufficient funds? Will TransLink leave someone stranded?

Will TransLink automatically fixed fares from known failures? (Otherwise isn't it fraud?)

Will TransLink allow people to claim fixed fares caused by genuine forgetfulness? (BrizCommuter forgot to swipe off once after trying to fight his way off an overcrowded route 66 bus)

Will TransLink allow people to claim fixed fares if they didn't notice a red light/"swipe again"?

Will TransLink make finding the webpage for refunds easier? (It took BrizCommuter 10 minutes to find it on Saturday!)

Will TransLink increase education on go card use, maybe more adverts? (BrizCommuter has observed many passengers not having a clue about how the system works - e.g swiping on twice for two passengers, not swiping off for a bus transfer).

How much money has TransLink made from passengers not reclaiming fixed fares?

[Gazza]

What happens if a fixed fare incurred during a transfer, or after a service breakdown, prevents someone from transferring onto another service due to insufficient funds? Will TransLink leave someone stranded?

Will TransLink increase education on go card use, maybe more adverts? (BrizCommuter has observed many passengers not having a clue about how the system works - e.g swiping on twice for two passengers, not swiping off for a bus transfer).

Read the back of the go card and the signs by the readers lol?

What happens if a fixed fare incurred during a transfer, or after a service breakdown, prevents someone from transferring onto another service due to insufficient funds? Will TransLink leave someone stranded?

I'm not sure how it works after a fixed fare (don't want to test it lol) but you can actually touch on with a negative balance, provided you are transferring, I've done it.

Will TransLink automatically fixed fares from known failures? (Otherwise isn't it fraud?)

They already do, for instance after week of free fares due to the floods the readers were very slow to operate when they were up and running again. TL automatically refunded fixed fares for everyone that day.

As the saying goes, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.
I think it just has to be accepted that no matter how many signs you put up and how many brochures you give out with go card purchases, some people simply don't have the capacity to follow a simple instruction, that's life really.
At least now with the higher fixed fare the gov't can make a bit of money off them.

Anyway, compleley support the government on this one...Surely there would be an abnormal number of  people touching on from GC stations and not touching off for instance that would lead to them spot the rorting. I think over time as more people use the system and the number of 'honest' mistakes drops they should shift it to a 15 zone fare being the penalty.

[Golliwog]

Anyway, compleley support the government on this one...Surely there would be an abnormal number of  people touching on from GC stations and not touching off for instance that would lead to them spot the rorting. I think over time as more people use the system and the number of 'honest' mistakes drops they should shift it to a 15 zone fare being the penalty.

Isn't that also part of why they are in the process of gating some of the GC stations? To stop precisely that. I dislike dishonest people, they ruin things for everyone. That said I do prefer gates to stand alone readers. They cope a lot better with the crowds, though the set up on the temporary FG station is holding up ok.

[SurfRail]

Isn't that also part of why they are in the process of gating some of the GC stations? To stop precisely that.

No doubt.  It happens quite regularly even still.  I expect some people are going to be very surprised and realise it will actually be cheaper to pay the fare.

[ozbob]

http://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/go-card/fixed-fare

Fixed fares for a fair go

As more and more people get on board with go card, TransLink is committed to ensuring the fair and appropriate use of the system for all passengers.

A fair go card system benefits all passengers by allowing TransLink to provide more frequent and reliable services and build a more efficient network for our customers.

A fixed fare is the amount charged to your go card* if don't touch off at the end of your trip.

Fixed fares are there to ensure a fair go for all passengers on the TransLink network so remember to always touch on, touch off.

From Monday 30 May 2011, fixed fares will be:

Mode of transport    Adult    Child    Senior    Concession
Train                            $10    $5      $5                 $5
Bus and ferry              $5    $2.50  $2.50       $2.50
Airtrain                     $30    $12.50 $30               $30

If you think you've been charged a fixed fare in error, you can report an incorrect fare.

* If you've been charged the fixed fare and your go card balance is less than the amount for the fixed fare, your card will have insufficient funds to travel for your next trip.

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times 14th May 2011 page 25

Fare evaders won't go free

[BrizCommuter]

Finally blogged, now that blogger is working again.
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2011/05/fair-go-or-fine-ticket.html

[haakon]

Interesting reading the comments on the CM site.  Anyone would think everyone was being charged the penalty on a day-to-day basis!!

I haven't been charged a penalty for many months - probably well over a year.  I guess I'm a lucky one! 

I have a template saved for requesting refunds, that's how often it happens to me.

tag on bus
tag off bus, get fined $3
Walk to train station
tag on, get fined $3
tag off, pay full fare.

[ozbob]

You are not alone Haakon.  What will be interesting is how many seek a fare adjustment now that the fixed fares are increased.  The fact that only 1 in 90 presently seek to have an adjustment says a lot.  Clearly there is an element of fare evasion happening, but many who are getting fixed fares are not aware of it as well - this is reinforced by the claim for adjustement rate.  Many redlighters have been observed on the buses and pax seem to be not aware.  Happens on the rail system too but seems to be less frequent.  I have followed users who have red lighted at open stations and they just continue on ..  observed the same at fare gates that have been stuck open, not an unusual event ...

I can also imagine that many go card users will be signficantly disadvantaged with the increased fixed fares .. a couple of those and a budget is soon  in dissarray ...  hopefully the adjustments can be processed rapidly.

[dwb]

"red lighters"....


um a large proportion of those are probably 'touched twice' message... so the first one is successful and then they get a red... that doesn't mean anyone has been charged a fixed fare, it just means they held the card there too long.

[ozbob]

um a large proportion of those are probably 'touched twice' message.

some are no doubt, but when 3.5% of all trips are resulting in a fixed fare something is wrong ..

[YoYo]

Is Translink also going to implement a system where you can claim incorrect charges that do not require your personal details to be shared with Translink?

I still don't believe that there is a purely anonymous way to get a fare adjustment done. (If you call up, you need to provide personal details, if you register online and claim you need to provide personal details).

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Fare to double for train commuters who don't swiping off their go card

Fare to double for train commuters who don't swiping off their go card

    Robyn Ironside
    From: The Courier-Mail
    May 16, 2011 8:25AM

ONE in 29 trips made on public transport in southeast Queensland results in a penalty for failing to touch-off a go card, a commuter advocacy group has revealed.

The "fixed fare'' penalty applied to those who do not touch-off at the end of a trip will double from May 30 - to $10 for train commuters and $5 for bus passengers.

Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said the high rate of "fixed fares'' being issued suggests there is more of a problem with the go cards than simply fare evasion.

"A ticketing system that results in an error every 29 trips or so is definitely not "world class'','' Mr Dow said.

"No doubt some users have been deliberately not touching off in order to avoid a higher fare, but also it means that many go card users have been getting penalty fares and not knowing due to system failures.''

He said the problem was further confirmed by the fact only one in 90 fixed fare penalties are adjusted after user complaints.

"The increases in the penalty fares will probably see more claims made by users, but it is important that TransLink step up user education and properly inform users of the fare adjustment procedure,'' said Mr Dow.

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk announced on Friday fixed fares would increase to help the government claw back some of the $18 million in fares being lost due to evasion on the public transport system. 

[Gazza]

Fare to double for train commuters who don't swiping off their go card

They accidentally the grammar!

Good point made in the comments section:

I see it so often on buses, people push their wallets against the touch off point, it doesnt read, it makes a distinctly different sound and has a red light come on, and it says error on the screen, and people then just get off the bus. Look for the green light, the correct sound, and your fare displayed on the screen (you only need to notice any one of the three to know you touched off properly). If you can't do this simple thing, then why should people be so sympathetic to regular users who stuff it up.

For all their flaws with weather worn devices, the GoCard readers do have 3 means of displaying a failure, and I've never come across a device where all 3 of these means were not working.

But the thing is, even when the device is in perfect working order, people still stuff it up.
Plenty of times I've seen people in front of me who were just clueless that they just had a failed touch despite the angry beeping and red light, and sounded shocked but thankful when I told them it hadn't worked. I don't see why innatentive people deserve any sympathy...They are like the innatentive truck drivers who drive into bridges, but on a smaller scale.

[Golliwog]

For all their flaws with weather worn devices, the GoCard readers do have 3 means of displaying a failure, and I've never come across a device where all 3 of these means were not working.

Except for those that don't work at all of course. But hey, in that case, free trip. Always a bit of a disappointment when you get one of those as the second leg of a journey when you've already paid for the travel.

[Gazza]

Buses are one thing (But you can ask the driver for a manual override), but certainly, over the entire period go card has been operating (I got one as soon as they came out...early adopter  ) I've never had encountered a non-working rail station reader.

[Zoiks]

Buses are one thing (But you can ask the driver for a manual override), but certainly, over the entire period go card has been operating (I got one as soon as they came out...early adopter  ) I've never had encountered a non-working rail station reader.

ditto

[ozbob]

Failures on bus are routine.   When I went on the 197 earlier this week, there were pax who couldn't touch on, some could, some couldn't.  Just waved on ..

Rail reader equipment failures happen.  Have seen failures at Darra and Oxley.  Goodna has been off line as well. When the rail readers are out TransLink usually puts an alert on their web site as well.  Go gate failures are fairly regular as well. Not unusual to see a go gate signed out of use  and a Cubic tech working on them at Central and Roma St for example.

It is all very well to be sitting on the high horse and say the punters are fools and should know better. The fact is many users have problems, as evidence by the fixed fare incidence rates.  This indicates a problem with design and the human/system interface.  It is very difficult to read some of the readers due to positioning and virtually impossible to hear anything as well.  A good example of such a reader is at Darra up side at the entrance to the foot bridge.   The beeps on the two pilot readers at Oxley are much louder and this makes it a lot easier to use for many, plus the other refinements steeper angle (reduces glare) and better screens.

A person sent me a go history for the last two years obtained from Cubic, following a request to TransLink.  I was asked to look at to see if there were any issues.  It was littered throughout with multiple fixed fares, bus and rail.  Many timing issues (wrong times on bus systems), and failed touches.  The user did not seem to understand that the fixed fares were not the normal fares ...  The user has made application for a further review for adjustments.  Don't know how successful they will be.

The three readers at Goodna on the western end of the platform are very difficult to use in the wet particularly (there is no weather protection).
The good thing is that the three readers all face different, one faces east, one faces north, one faces south, so usually one is readable.  

[Gazza]

It is all very well to be sitting on the high horse and say the punters are fools and should know better. The fact is many users have problems, as evidence by the fixed fare incidence rates.  This indicates a problem with design

But what about on Buses, where issues to do with illumination and audibility don't really exist (I mean, you can hear the beeps from several seats away). People still mess it up by ignoring the lights and sounds.
Fact is, the vast majority of people do get it right, so the majority are not fools. It can also be noted that most people do notice a red light and rectify.

We already know the equipment itself is operable at a very high rate because they've published data on equipment uptime.
I would make at least 960 touches per year just for trips to and from work on the train (20 a week by 48). Tell a lie on the earlier post,  I've had one instance when I couldn't touch off, and that was when it was a storm and Corinda station was blacked out and there was no electricity for the whole complex. This gives me a reliability rate of 99.895%...the numbers don't lie.

I think that 3% can easily be accounted for by deliberate non touch offs, and a smaller percentage of that by inattentive users. No amount of signage or education campaigns or brocures will get to these people unfortunately,

Yes, there is a problem with bad readers, but if it was say the reader at your home station, you'd get to know its 'quirks' (Bob, you just proved my point with the specific readers you posted above  ) and perhaps take some extra care, and be able to avoid these problems. Yeah, not ideal, but surley people would already do this and there would be some degree of 'self correction' going on to balance out the failure rate.

Go gate failures are fairly regular as well. Not unusual to see a go gate signed out of use  and a Cubic tech working on them at Central and Roma St for example.

Different case though because they have moving parts.

And finally, I think it's ok to get on my high horse about this. I've been using the system since day one almost, and have manage to use it properly since day one, yet i've never used a smart card system before in my life. I think everyone else can do this too.

When you witness users do things like touching the card on the screen instead of the circle, you have to wonder about people  ......

[longboi]

The incidences of faulty readers are hardly endemic. Besides, if someone encounters a faulty reader and is charged a fixed fare, they are entitled to a refund.

[SurfRail]

There may be a more appropriate thread, but it looks like Nerang's fare gates may be deployed like this, based on where they have been stripping tiles out of the floor: