RAIL - Back On Track Forum

In conjunction with this, I wonder how that new App is going?

Still in the development stage, testing stage or limited release stage?

^ I'm on the beta testing program, and haven't received anything new yet.

Quote from: achiruel on April 10, 2024, 16:49:02 PM^ I'm on the beta testing program, and haven't received anything new yet.

How do you get on the beta testing program?

I've seen plenty of readers with the "go card only" sticker not present in the last few months.  Don't read too much into it.

Quote from: RowBro on April 10, 2024, 17:15:18 PM

Quote from: achiruel on April 10, 2024, 16:49:02 PM^ I'm on the beta testing program, and haven't received anything new yet.

How do you get on the beta testing program?

Hi, I have sent you a PM with the details. It depends on your device and operating system. I suspect they won't take anymore testers for the current App due to its retirement, but they are likely to take new testers on for the new App. 

Quote from: verbatim9 on April 10, 2024, 15:23:07 PMRe: Translink Card - I wonder if they are partnering / co branding with Master Card or Visa Card, so you can use it as a debit card as well? The legislation was changed a while back to allow this to happen.

There's a million commercial and logistical reasons they probably wouldn't do that. Such partnerships are expensive and they wouldn't be permitted to make the cards as readily available as they do now.

I'm not sure this 'translink card' would be fundamentally any different to a go card - maybe a newer iteration of mifare - mostly it would be a long overdue facelift given the go card's 20 (!) years old. They were very quick to change the cards to say TMR but couldn't refresh the design even once in that time...

Apparently smart ticketing to start on ferries today, buses delayed.

Government Statement

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/100119

Smooth sailing for ferry users as Smart Ticketing switches on

16th April 2024

Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services
The Honourable Bart Mellish

Brisbane River ferry passengers travelling on adult fares will be able to use Smart Ticketing to pay for their journey from today.

It is easier than ever to travel on Brisbane's iconic CityCats with Smart Ticketing payment options now available to full-fare customers.

Residents and tourists alike travelling on CityCats can use their Visa, Mastercard or American Express credit card, debit card, smartphone or smartwatch to pay for their journey.

The customer trial of the technology on CityCats means full-fare public transport users can now pay for their journey with Smart Ticketing on South East Queensland (SEQ) trains, Gold Coast trams and Brisbane River ferries.

All 2600 buses and train stations in SEQ and the six Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI) ferries have Smart Ticketing technology installed with customer trials on buses to begin operator-by-operator this year.

Customers on SEQ buses and SMBI ferries should continue to pay for their journey with their go card for now, as should ferry users travelling on a concession fare.

More than 13 million trips have now been taken using Translink's Smart Ticketing technology on SEQ trains and G:link trams.

The first trial started on G:link trams on the Gold Coast in December 2020 with SEQ train lines progressively added from June 2022, starting with the Ferny Grove line.

Customer trials on SEQ buses will be rolled out operator-by-operator this year, before the delivery of Smart Ticketing technology on the regional bus network begins.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport and Main Roads Bart Mellish:

"It is an exciting milestone to make Smart Ticketing available to adult customers on a third mode of public transport in South East Queensland.

"Whether you're a tourist exploring Brisbane from the river or you're a commuter getting to and from work every day, it is now easier than ever to pay for your journey on one of our iconic ferries.

"Customers have told us they have enjoyed the ease of paying for their journey on trains and trams in the same way they might pay for a coffee with tap-and-go on their bank card, mobile phone or smartwatch.

"That same ease of payment is now available to adults catching a Brisbane River ferry.

"We acknowledged in 2018 we needed a modern ticketing solution across our public transport network.

"Smart Ticketing has ensured our public transport network joins major cities around the world with a seamless ticketing solution.

"The system ensures Queenslanders, interstate travellers and tourists can travel our great state with ease.

"We have a vision for a modern transport network for QLD; unlike the LNP, where projects like this would simply not go ahead.

"They cut transport funding and sacked 700 RoadTek workers when last in power, they cannot be trusted to manage transport in QLD."

Quotes attributable to Acting Head of Translink Peter Milward:

"This is a major step forward in rolling out Smart Ticketing on all public transport services across all modes.

"We thank customers for their patience as we roll out the technology across one of the largest geographical public transport networks in the world.

"We know SEQ bus users are keen to trial the technology as well but we are taking our time to get it right and we look forward to announcing the first SEQ bus trials in due course."

Further information: Smart Ticketing project

https://x.com/railbotforum/status/1780012079132586359

Facebook ...

ABC News --> Smart ticketing launches as alternative to go cards on Brisbane ferries but not yet activated on buses

Hopefully GC buses are next, that makes the most sense.

^I'd think they'll go with one of the smaller operators first, maybe CBL or PRT or one of the other smaller companies, in order to iron out any potential issues before releasing it on Kinetic (2nd largest operator) or TfB (largest).

ABC News --> Go cards to be phased out in Queensland, replaced with Translink public transport fare pass

QuoteGo cards used by public transport commuters in South East Queensland for well over a decade will be abolished and replaced with a new fare card system — but Translink is yet to determine when.

The public transport agency has confirmed the new fare pass will be dubbed the "Translink card", and will operate in a similar way to the go card.

Translink has also revealed it intends to allow commuters to link the new Translink card to their smart devices so they can leave the physical card at home.

The move comes as Translink rolls out smart ticketing across its network, enabling commuters to tap on and off their public transport trips with a credit card, debit card or smart device.

Translink said the time frame for the start of the new card and the end of the go card was still being worked out amid the ongoing rollout of smart ticketing.

A spokesperson said the new card would complement the smart ticketing initiative. ...

https://x.com/railbotforum/status/1780724038941429814

^ Translink card, so original!

This is ultimately an incremental upgrade to the chip inside the card. London for example upgraded chips relatively quietly about a decade ago. It's still the Oyster card and for a time the readers happily accepted both versions (as ours probably already do as well).

The silly thing is that the smart ticketing readers literally show the new go card design. Why do I have the feeling this will turn into a very expensive rebranding exercise ... and they're not even introducing an actual brand.

Quote from: AnonymouslyBad on April 19, 2024, 22:01:25 PM^ Translink card, so original!

This is ultimately an incremental upgrade to the chip inside the card. London for example upgraded chips relatively quietly about a decade ago. It's still the Oyster card and for a time the readers happily accepted both versions (as ours probably already do as well).

The silly thing is that the smart ticketing readers literally show the new go card design. Why do I have the feeling this will turn into a very expensive rebranding exercise ... and they're not even introducing an actual brand.

The one of the ferries is actually just a sticker like the Gocard Only stickers. The actual vinal wrap shows a different 'Translink Card' as seen in the below image.

^ You're right, I have actually seen that one, and just forgot. Don't mind me!

(I still think, from a usability perspective, the sooner they introduce the new cards the better. You can't 'big bang' this.)

Couriermail --> Go cards to be phased out in QLD, replaced with smart ticketing and TransLink card $

QuoteThe go card ticketing system used by South East Queensland public transport commuters will be terminated and replaced with a new "TransLink card".

TransLink, Queensland's public transport agency, confirmed on Tuesday the new fare card system would replace Go cards and work in a similar way.

A TransLink spokesperson said go card technology was now almost 20 years old and was "approaching end of life".

"Go card trials commenced in 2006, with the system expanded across South East Queensland's integrated bus, train, ferry and tram services in 2008," they said.

"The current system and equipment do not have the capability to evolve with changing technology and customer needs, and have been superseded by new cloud-based ticketing systems and secure contactless payment technology."

The Go card will be progressively replaced by the equivalent TransLink smart card payment option in a new account-based Smart Ticketing solution. ...

https://x.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1782687330202984941

Supply Chain Outlook

Translink : Just the Ticket

https://www.supplychain-outlook.com/passenger-transport/translink-just-the-ticket

I wonder what the technical glitch is with linking your concession entitlement to your preferred credit or debit card?

One would assume being an account based system it would just associate the concession entitlement to the last four digits of the card.

In the Opal app you can already add additional cards linked to one account which is then automatically associated with you Opal number. Yet, they haven't allowed concession entitlements to be linked for some reason either.

^  the accounts based software (back end) hasn't been implemented yet. This new backend software needs to be in place before concession users can then identify smart payment methods on their account and enjoy the concession fares by both the Translink card and smart payment methods as preferred. It is not a glitch as such, just a limitation of the older software.

Meanwhile, over  in Ireland ...

https://x.com/grescoe/status/1789373060572688874

^ Sydney has the same thing. Daily cap of $17.80 Monday-Thursday, $8.90 Friday-Sunday, and $50 per week.

Same with Melbourne, $10.60 cap weekdays, $7.20 weekends/public holidays. There's also a 7-day Myki pass for $53, but this doesn't appear to be a cap, but a prepaid pass.

TransPerth has a $10.30 daily cap, and also free travel on Sundays if you have a SmartRider with a positive balance. Couldn't see a weekly cap, but it would effectively be $61.80.

Adelaide has an $11.70 daily ticket, and a 14-day pass for $67.60, which is $33.80 per week.

Lack of capped tickets in Qld is an outlier.

Queensland Parliament

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2024/513-2024.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 513
Asked on 1 May 2024

MR S MINNIKIN ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS AND MINISTER
FOR DIGITAL SERVICES (HON B MELLISH)

QUESTION:

Will the Minister provide the key milestone dates for the program to replace the TransLink go card
with the new TransLink card?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Chatsworth for the question.

The Smart Ticketing project is a multi-year delivery program being progressively implemented by
the Department of Transport and Main Roads' Translink Division (Translink), and its project
partners, in a phased approach to ensure the best outcomes for both customers and public
transport delivery partners.

I am advised Translink is currently working with its ticketing partner on developing the plan and
timings for the transition from the current go card to the new Translink card.

ABC News: Twenty per cent of Brisbane River ferry commuters take up smart ticketing since April launch

QuoteAbout one in five commuters using Brisbane ferries, including CityCats, have turned to smart ticketing since the new payment method was introduced in April.

The activation of smart ticketing on bus services is also still expected to kick off later this year, but Translink will not say if it will begin on Brisbane City Council buses in 2024.

The new ticketing system was launched on ferries on April 16, allowing commuters to tap on and off their services with a credit card, debit card, or smart device instead of a Go Card.

Since then, commuters have taken more than 145,000 Brisbane River ferry trips using smart ticketing, which equates to about 20 per cent of all paid journeys.

In addition to ferries, smart ticketing is also available on South East Queensland trains and light rail — although it can only currently be used for full paying adult fares. ...

... Rollout on buses 'operator by operator'

All 2,600 buses in South East Queensland have also been equipped with smart ticketing equipment, but the technology is yet to be switched on for use.

A spokesperson for Translink said trials of smart ticketing on buses were still planned to start "operator by operator" later this year.

However, when asked if it would commence on all bus operators by the end of this year, Translink would not say.

The public transport operator also would not say if it would begin on Brisbane City Council buses this year. ...

This smart ticketing roll out has become a real debacle in terms of the drip feeding and secrecy around the whole thing. Why can't they just be upfront and give the public dates? ABC Brisbane were giving them heaps today about it.

There is a complexity for smart ticketing on the buses (wireless systems) that is not there for rail and light rail, however, agreed the messaging is still some what vague from Translink.

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

^ it's working on ferries, which must also be wireless?

Although tbh, I think ferries should use offboard validation anyway.

Brisbanetimes --> Don't Go, Card: Software problems put brakes on smart ticketing rollout $

QuotePassengers might have to wait until mid-2025 to use a credit card, mobile or smartwatch to pay their fare on any of the 1200 Brisbane City Council buses.

That is despite promises in 2019 from Queensland Transport that Cubic – the transport logistic company that won the contract to provide and operate ticketing for south-east Queensland public transport – would replace the Go Card on all SEQ's buses, ferries and trains by late 2022.

Almost five years after the $371 million assurance, travellers still cannot tap a bank card or a smartwatch to pay for a bus trip in the state's south-east, despite almost two-thirds of all public transport trips being made on buses. ...

^^ Seems like there is some sort of major issue outside of network complexity. We're just bringing the Go Card system up to Opal Card spec (another Cubic system) right? It doesn't seem like we would be reinventing the wheel to do this.

That said, the article does mention integrating WeChat Pay, which is the first I've heard of that.

Quote from: achiruel on June 28, 2024, 16:14:13 PMAlthough tbh, I think ferries should use offboard validation anyway.

That would leave the validators prone to damage during flood events

Quote from: nathandavid88 on July 02, 2024, 09:57:58 AMThat would leave the validators prone to damage during flood events

Compared to the magnitude of damage incurred during a major flood event, it would be a miniscule percentage. In no way a good reason not to do so if the benefits of off board ticketing are justified.

There is a rumour of sorts that an issue might be 3G wireless chips and 3G is being phased out. If this is true it would require 3G chips etc. to be replaced with 5G. Does anyone know if this is the case?

^^ Surely they couldn't have been that stupid, could they? The impending 3G shutdown has been known for years.

Quote from: nathandavid88 on July 02, 2024, 11:37:31 AM^^ Surely they couldn't have been that stupid, could they? The impending 3G shutdown has been known for years.

Nothing surprises me these days. I would expect the old equipment would have 3G but not the new gear 🧐

I read recently that there are gaps in 5G network that they telcos can't fix until they shut down the 3G network in September/Oct unfortunately.(Telstra/Optus)

Does the new equipment work on both 4G and 5G?

Re New Readers

Do those lights at the bottom of the reader screens act as laser readers for QR codes in the future, accommodating for QR code payments from WeChat and Google Pay?

I also think that trials will start before 2025, as they could be referring mainly to the full functionality of the system rather than just paying adult fares as we do now on other modes.

Quote from: RowBro on July 02, 2024, 11:05:16 AM

Quote from: nathandavid88 on July 02, 2024, 09:57:58 AMThat would leave the validators prone to damage during flood events

Compared to the magnitude of damage incurred during a major flood event, it would be a miniscule percentage. In no way a good reason not to do so if the benefits of off board ticketing are justified.

They could only really convert the busway to offboard ticketing/validating and maybe QSBS.

^^ I'm not a fan of this for the potential for confusion for people taking buses that only partially run on the busways.

I can see people getting off at suburban bus stops and looking for where to touch their card.