RAIL - Back On Track Forum

28th February 2023 - not online

Media Release
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Airport line rounds out Smart Ticketing train network

Earlier today the Brisbane Airport line stations were added to the Smart Ticketing network. This means Adults can now pay for their journey with Smart Ticketing across the entire South East Queensland (SEQ) train network

A Smart Ticketing trial has been rolled out on every SEQ train line, enabling adults to pay for their journey with a smartphone, smartwatch, debit card or credit card no matter their start or end destination.

It will also mean domestic and international tourists and visitors can arrive at Brisbane Airport and pay for their fare with one of the new options, rather than purchasing and loading a go card.

The rollout of the Palaszczuk Government's $371 million Smart Ticketing project on the SEQ heavy rail network makes it easier for customers to catch the train.

Translink will now turn its attention to fitting out buses and ferries with Smart Ticketing equipment ahead of customer trials later this year.

Train users who prefer to pay with their go card will be able to continue doing so. Customers travelling on a child or concession fare or connecting bus or ferry service should continue to use their go card for now.

Quote attributable to Transport and Main Roads Minister, Mark Bailey MP:

"Customers travelling on Airtrain services will be able to leave their go card at home and simply tap on and off with their choice of bank card or smart device," Mr Bailey said.

"We started the heavy rail rollout with the Ferny Grove line in June last year and have progressively added new lines to the trial."

"Adding Brisbane Airport line means train users can simply tap on and off with their preferred payment method no matter which lines they are travelling on."

"It also means people travelling between the Brisbane Airport and the Gold Coast can use their preferred payment method for their entire journey, including G:link trams."

"The feedback from tram and train users has been positive and we look forward to introducing these new payment methods for bus and ferry users as well."

"Once complete, all Queenslanders on any urban public transport service will enjoy a ticketing system on par with major world cities such as London, Singapore and New York."

For further information:

Head online to the Translink website, download the MyTranslink app or call 13 12 30 for more information.

ENDS

Spotted, off-board ticket validation at Roma Street Busway station--->https://www.skyscrapercity.com/threads/brisbane-general-public-transport-thread.1118483/post-182922235

I am a bit confused regarding the off-board ticket validation as initially the plan was to only have on board validation. They are either testing or had a change of mind, thus going ahead with off-board validation at busway stations.

They are on P1 for railbus use only (since most of the railbus operators don't have go-card readers, let alone the new contactless readers). They are switched off at all other times.

This is so passengers don't have to walk into the station, touch on at the fare gates, then walk back up to P1.

Gotcha, thanks for the clarification.

Yet, there is a new functionality with smart ticketing that predicts a user's travel patterns, thus automatically touches the user off without tapping off/on or off at a reader. This is handy because if you forget to touch off the system will automatically touch you off without getting those nasty default fares, thus eliminating need to request for an adjustment.

How fares are calculated, apparently as one whole amount over a 24 hour period.

https://fb.watch/jqJn5b-YfD/?mibextid=6aamW6

Quote from: verbatim9 on March 22, 2023, 23:05:08 PMHow fares are calculated, apparently as one whole amount over a 24 hour period.

https://fb.watch/jqJn5b-YfD/?mibextid=6aamW6

It's still calculated the same way as with Go-Cards from what I understand. Like each journey is charged based on zones and transfer rules. The only take away from this video is that instead of individually charging for all journeys, the total cost for all journeys combined is charged with a lump fee the following day.

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1641335403637792769

Please tell me they will do ferries at same time! The pace is just too slow! After a week in Sydney and trains in Brisbane I rocked up to a ferry without a Go Card! Needs to be finished ASAP.

Great, maybe this can be rolled out at TransLink carparks possibly if a Park & Pay scheme ever arrives. 

Quote from: #Metro on March 31, 2023, 08:29:30 AMGreat, maybe this can be rolled out at TransLink carparks possibly if a Park & Pay scheme ever arrives. 

That would be an infringement of my constitutional right to free parking!!

Quote from: #Metro on March 31, 2023, 08:29:30 AMGreat, maybe this can be rolled out at TransLink carparks possibly if a Park & Pay scheme ever arrives. 

What would be good is making it so that if you tap into carparking and then tap onto the QR station it will provide a substantial discount (like maybe only 50c - $1 for a days parking) while charging people using the station parking for other uses more since the often-limited parking should be for QR customers only.

The Translink card can't be far away as Translink customer service people are mentioning it as a replacement to the Go Card that can be used in regional areas as well. This will be an additional option on top of credit and debit payments.

Translink FB--->https://fb.watch/jTwF_eV6Nt/?mibextid=RUbZ1f

Smart Ticketing customer trials – Queensland bus network

> https://translink.com.au/about-translink/projects-and-initiatives/smart-ticketing/QLD-bus-trial

"Smart Ticketing equipment is being progressively installed on Queensland buses to make way for Smart Ticketing customer trials

In South East Queensland (SEQ), please continue to use your go card to tap on and off for your bus travel on the new on board validators for now!

Make sure you are signed up for updates and following our Facebook(Link opens in new tab/window) so we can let you know when Smart Ticketing is coming to your Queensland bus service.

Across our complex South East Queensland (SEQ) bus network and 18 regional urban bus services, Queensland's bus network comprises nearly 2,000 unique travel routes and multiple service operators.

Smart Ticketing is being delivered in a phased approach to ensure the technology and equipment is fully functional for customers before the next phase is implemented. Our complex integrated customer network means that a significant amount of infrastructure needs to be installed, tested and trialled before we can now switch on new Smart Ticketing payment methods for customers."

There is a list of operators and timelines at the link

> https://translink.com.au/about-translink/projects-and-initiatives/smart-ticketing/QLD-bus-trial
 

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1676017059589918720

 

In a later tweet he has a go at the State Government.  Child!!

Quote from: Jonno on July 04, 2023, 13:10:14 PMIn a later tweet he has ago at the State Government.  Child!!

Especially juvenile when it isn't even true.

Was the tweet referring to the use of Apple express mode as I believe it's a bit different? Express mode on Apple allows touch on/off from a locked screen, as well as being to touch on and off even when the phone runs out of battery.

More here--->https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT212171

^ He was, he later clarified.  But his behaviour and attitude reflects poorly on himself and BCC.

Quote from: verbatim9 on July 05, 2023, 01:45:44 AMWas the tweet referring to the use of Apple express mode as I believe it's a bit different? Express mode on Apple allows touch on/off from a locked screen, as well as being to touch on and off even when the phone runs out of battery.

More here--->https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT212171

Except Express Mode is already available with Smart Ticketing.

QuoteIf I use Apple Pay, should I switch on the Express Travel mode card setting within the Wallet?

The Express Travel mode with Apple Pay allows you to tap on and off without having to wake or unlock your device or open an app. It's optional when using Smart Ticketing, but we do recommend activating it so you can tap on and off more easily.

You can activate Express Travel for your preferred card in your Apple Pay settings. For more information on how to do this visit support.apple.com

from https://translink.com.au/about-translink/projects-and-initiatives/smart-ticketing/faqs

So Cr Murphy is playing fast and loose with the truth.

https://twitter.com/MarkBaileyMP/status/1676381788082671619

https://twitter.com/luke__cooper/status/1676394568185708544

When are they likely to start rolling out the new readers on Brisbane buses? Next month?

I noticed they have activated the new Nextbus software a couple of weeks ago, as the real time signs have changed to "NOW" (when arriving).

Quote from: verbatim9 on July 05, 2023, 13:38:52 PMWhen are they likely to start rolling out the new readers on Brisbane buses? Next month?

I noticed they have activated the new Nextbus software a couple of weeks ago, as the real time signs have changed to "NOW" (when arriving).

I would imagine not until after the trials on the smaller operators are successful. With BCC being the biggest operator, they wouldn't want to begin installing equipment until they are convinced it is working.

https://twitter.com/MarkBaileyMP/status/1676494777179852800

^ Does that imply the Red Team Government is out of touch given the similar term length (with minor interruption)?

Sunshine Coast News---> Tap-and-go technology coming to more than 120 Sunshine Coast buses

QuoteSmart Ticketing technology is being installed on Sunshine Coast buses.

More than 120 vehicles across the CDC fleet will be upgraded with Smart Ticketing, bringing residents and visitors a step closer to enjoying more convenient and flexible ways to pay.

Apparently, there are reports that Gold Coast Kinetic buses  and Clarke's buses in Logan are getting fitted with the new smart ticketing readers.

BCC buses can't be too far away.

I am sure Brisbane Transport will have made or are making this rollout as protracted as possible so that BCC Councillors can tweet abut how the Transport Minster has failed to rollout the process quickly enough!!!

A BCC Driver told me that the equipment will be installed around December.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinbradshaw/

Martin Bradshaw has moved on from Translink

Martin has previously led the implementation of the Queensland Government's $371.1 million account based, Smart Ticketing project – enabling more Queensland residents and visitors to access public transport. The new ticketing solution is progressively rolling out to 37 transport operators including 17 regional bus operators outside South-East Queensland.

The smart ticketing bus page is now saying it is currently being installed on the BCC fleet.
https://translink.com.au/about-translink/projects-and-initiatives/smart-ticketing/QLD-bus-trial

Has anyone seen them on BCC buses yet?

Following some testing a couple weeks ago, Eagle Farm and Sherwood depots are being the first to be rolled out, with Carina soon to follow.

For interest, E2076, E2829, S1984 & S2000 are the first ones I've noted with the new readers.

Most of the installations I have encountered (none in Council-land yet) only involve a single reader at each door.  I have seen 2 readers at the side door on some buses, but all the front door readers appear to be a single unit mounted on the dash.

Really need 2 at each door at minimum - the second one should preferably be somewhere over the front axle well inside the bus like they do it in NSW.

E2076 (a single leaf rear door) has one reader at the back, E2829 (a double leaf rear door) has 2 readers at the back.

Quote from: Cazza on August 22, 2023, 09:23:33 AME2076 (a single leaf rear door) has one reader at the back, E2829 (a double leaf rear door) has 2 readers at the back.

What's the situation at the front?

E2076 had two at the front (same locations as current go card readers). Whilst I can't speak for any other buses, I would presume the front will continue to have the 2 readers.

Quote from: Cazza on August 22, 2023, 09:58:35 AME2076 had two at the front (same locations as current go card readers). Whilst I can't speak for any other buses, I would presume the front will continue to have the 2 readers.

Makes sense. Glad to hear there's two at the rear for the double doors. Would have been nice to have 2 for the single doors too but it's already a bottleneck, so it probably wont change much

All the Clarks buses I've been on with the new readers have the single reader at the front and dual readers at the rear configuration.

From what I have seen personally, the lack of a second reader at the front doesn't seem to impact boarding speed in any significant way. These readers appear to recover quicker and more consistently to a bad tap compared to older ones that would sometimes lock up and force you to try the opposing scanner, so maybe that's the thinking? 

Quote from: RowBro on August 22, 2023, 08:23:39 AMThe smart ticketing bus page is now saying it is currently being installed on the BCC fleet.
https://translink.com.au/about-translink/projects-and-initiatives/smart-ticketing/QLD-bus-trial

Has anyone seen them on BCC buses yet?

Here is the screen shot of the updated site.