14 May 2008: SEQ: Urgent action needed to save Go card

[ozbob]

Media Release 14 May 2008

SEQ:  Urgent action needed to save Go card

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport users has called for urgent action to save the go card.  Beset with major problems the go card is being rejected by commuters as it is unreliable on buses and ferries, there are chronic system and management failures with the go card administration, and the fare structure is expensive for many compared to paper integrated ticketing.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

?RAIL Back On Track has consistently highlighted the on going issues with the go card (1).  If the go card is successfully implemented it will be of much benefit to public transport in south-east Queensland.  Translink and the Government simply refuse to acknowledge that the go card is in serious trouble.?

?Unfortunately what was claimed as ?teething problems? since roll out are now systemic failures which are causing many commuters to reject the go card.?

?According to the Translink web site (2) the remaining ten trip tickets are to be withdrawn mid year.  This is going to cause further severe disruption and mayhem on a bus and ferry transport system already struggling with inadequate resources.?

?Touch penalties are also to increase from June 2008 to $5 bus and ferries, and $10 rail (adult fares ? concession fares $2.50 and $5 respectively) (3).  Already the time for refunds to be reimbursed for incorrectly charged fares and penalties is in many cases greater than 30 days. Clearly unless something is done to reduce the incidence of false charges, and to expedite the refunds there is little incentive for users to adopt the go card.?

?Here is an approach to get the go card going:

1.  Reduce the base fares on the go card by 30%.  This would make it essentially cost neutral for all compared to paper ticketing and overall will be cost neutral as it will help shift people to the card and there will be the same revenue either paper or card essentially. Go card users will be more tolerant of issues as they will not be getting ripped off fare wise.  Keep everything else the same.

2.  Expedite the refund process - two working days maximum. Delay the increase in touch penalties for six months.

3.  Delay the withdrawal of ten trippers on Brisbane Transport buses and ferries for at least another 3 months, to give a window to sort out the GPS issues in the CBD and review the operation of the rear door readers.

4.  Conduct an urgent review of the data tables and code for the system. Incorporate simple logic traps to capture and stop 'double touches', phantom penalties and so forth.

5.  Run a sweep of the user database overnight daily to flag and refund obvious penalties and overcharges without the need for user initiation of refund process.

6.  Once system working introduce further ticketing incentives, capping and off peak.

7.  It might be necessary to introduce a local signal for those places where GPS not working eg. tunnel and stops in radio shadows.?

?If the system is made reliable there are great potential benefits for our public transport.  We are very supportive of the card, we want it to work and work right!?

Reference:

1.   http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?board=27.0

2.   http://www.translink.com.au/qt/translin.nsf/index/go_tickets accessed 7.30pm 14th May 2008

3.   http://www.translink.com.au/qt/TransLin.nsf/index/go_fees#fees accessed 7.30pm 14th May 2008

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration  0412255927
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

There was a report on Channel 7 News Brisbane this evening concerning the go card.

Looks like there has been a response to the constant criticism and problems with the card. 

Minister Mickel and Mr Nicholls were both interviewed.  Looks like the reality of the problems are hitting home.

Channel 7 had some figures from FOI applications which confirms all our comments and feedback.

Let's hope it gets sorted now.