26 June 2009: SEQ: Commuters are abandoning the go card

[ozbob]

Media Release 26 June 2009

SEQ:  Commuters are abandoning the 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 commuters has said a failure of TransLink to address the ongoing issues with the go card has caused many users to abandon the go card in favour of paper tickets. Despite assurances that further improvements and options would be available on the go card many users are starting to lose patience and have decided that the 'pain is not worth the gain'.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"RAIL Back On Track has received a lot of feedback concerning ongoing issues with the go card and its administration.  Despite the official position of how wonderful the go card is, in reality it is problematical for many users.  Intermittent failures, particularly on bus, and the complicated ritual for seeking fare adjustments has turned many former users away."

"Typical feedback from disgruntled former users can be viewed on our website forum (1).

"The questions that need to be asked are of the go cards that have been issued, how many are actually in constant use?

"And, why is the contract with Cubic not made public?  To claim it is commercial in confidence is not in the best interests of anyone.  Taxpayers have paid for this system and they are entitled to know exactly what the financial arrangements are for the go card ticketing system, particularly as many users are choosing to drop it."

Reference:

1.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=432.msg11864#msg11864

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[mch]

I use Go Card only some of the time as I find that for regular use, monthly tickets are a better proposition.
They work out cheaper, and more convenient ? no need to touch on or off, no problems with penalties due to touch issues.  (These are difficult if not impossible to get resolved if ever and no hassle about people virtually calling people liars when they try to get issues sorted out.)

I have spoken to a number of people who have used Go Card and have had significant issues with them.  There are still problems with the equipment and its placement.  When it rains it is difficult to read, when the sun is shining on the screen it is difficult to read, the beeps are not always audible above background noise and the messages are not always easy to understand by a numbers of people.

I wrote to the premier in March 2008 outlining suggestions to improve the Go Card and despite being passed to the Transport Department and following up with a copy to the Translink Transit Authority, the comments in my email were never addressed and no real reply was received.

Robert is correct; Go Card needs to be fixed quickly as it could provide a real source of information about travel patterns to the people planning future transport of South East Queensland.
If it is not fixed quickly it will continue to be a chain around the neck of all Queenslanders.

Noel Haynes