Article: Translink Go Card concession holders left stranded

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Translink Go Card concession holders left stranded

Translink Go Card concession holders left stranded
Article from: The Courier-Mail

By Hannah Davies

December 02, 2008 11:00pm

THE Government's Go Card system has been branded a farce after it was revealed cards have been unexpectedly cancelled, leaving travellers stranded.

The TransLink Go Cards offer discounted fares and can store up to $200 credit, so passengers can travel "seamlessly" on Brisbane's bus, train and ferry services.

But concession Go Cards bought by disabled pensioners are being automatically cancelled when their pension cards expire - even if they still contain credit.

Phil Calverley, 57, of Eight Mile Plains, in Brisbane's south, had $15 on his Go Card when it was cancelled recently. Now he must apply for a new Go Card, which will take five to 10 days to arrive.

He also is awaiting the refund on the old Go Card.

"I find the whole system to be an absolute farce," he said.

Mr Calverley, who works at Brisbane Magistrates Court, is angry he is not able to take advantage of the discounted fares while he waits for his new Go Card.

A TransLink spokesman said concession Go Card customers were warned their cards were about to expire when they swiped them.

He said TransLink was investigating Mr Calverley's case.

As concession cards come up for expiry, it would be a simple matter for the TTA to verify that the concession entitlement is still current and just simply renew the card on the system for another period.  In most cases this is as simple as the initial verification of the entitlement.  Why is the administrative side of the go card such a clumsy mess? ( see here for a recent example a members issues with refunds).

As it stands at the moment the concession go card holders have to obtain a new card (more cost) and then arrange for any outstanding credit on their old card to be transferred (a complex cumbersome process).  And of course of the many thousands of go cards handed out free, none are concession go cards.

[Derwan]

Why make them expire?

There is nothing stopping anyone purchasing a concession ticket from an AVVM - but if the inspectors can't sight a concession card when checking tickets, a fine is issues.  Likewise, inspectors should be checking concession cards when commuters produce a concession Go Card.

[ozbob]

Good point Derwan!, I have forwarded your comment to the TTA.

[dwb]

I really think this is fair enough. I applied for a student go card and gave them my card expiry date. I will be expecting my card to stop working by the expiry of that date. I also applied for a NAB student account and I've had it for a couple of years. Every year, even if your card was valid for three, you have to show them again.

Surely there is a way where they can extend the original card??? with existing credit??? upon proof of renewal of the concession? (although for aged and disabled this seems odd as you don't get younger or generally less disabled....)

[dwb]

I just lodged the following suggestion via the Translink website.  I have no problems with the fact the account expires, but the process is a hassle!!! It will progressively become more and more of a hassle as more users are faced with it. Considering I think I only gave my expiry to the operater over the phone the first time, I don't see why they can't extend it!! But considering the hassle a driver gave a student the other day with a card that expired on 31/12 I'm not holding my breath for any changes!


Go card enquiry/suggestion.
Hello, I've just spoken to a go card telephone consultant regarding changes to expiry of concession cards.  It seems odd to me (and needless hassle) to have to purchase a new card, register the new card and put credit on a new card in order to change the expiry of the account. The card itself is still functioning, I do not see why concession card holders should have to go through the hassle of purchasing a new card, getting a refund and a credit balance transfer to the new card. The physical card itself doesn't expire, surely it is possible to extend the original account with a new expiry upon proof of concession entitlement?!

[ButFli]

Why make them expire?

There is nothing stopping anyone purchasing a concession ticket from an AVVM - but if the inspectors can't sight a concession card when checking tickets, a fine is issues.  Likewise, inspectors should be checking concession cards when commuters produce a concession Go Card.

I was going to make a post about how it would be idiotic of Translink not to require a valid concession card to be sighted before a concession Go Card is issued. Then I realised that a concession card was never required for the purchase of 10-trip-savers. The reason was that a concession card holder could have purchased a concession 10-strip-saver and given it to a non-concession friend. The same could happen to a concession Go Card so there is also no point in sighting a concession card before issue. Not having that requirement would reduce the occurrence of unfortunate situations like the one mentioned in the OP.

[dwb]

Response was 8o5am this morning. I think this is the fastest response I've ever had from Translink! Perhaps they have some new staff on board!!!