9 Dec 2007: SEQ - Translink Smartcard, a late-card?

[ozbob]

Media Release 9 December 2007

SEQ:  Translink Smartcard, a  late-card?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport has called for a public statement as to what is actually happening with the Translink Smartcard.

Robert Dow said:

?The Translink Smartcard ticketing will offer advantages to commuters once it is rolled out.  There appears to be a lot of confusion at present with various rumours circulating that the card is actually in wide use for some further trial participants, but not for the general public.

?The public has been constantly informed that the card would be available by the end of 2007.  The lack of information and publicity suggests that this might not be the case.  The Translink Smart Card Pilot web site is still dated 21 May 2007 (Reference 1).

?The commuter public of SEQ is entitled to know what is going on! We call on Minister Mickel and Translink to explain the present situation with the card. After all it is the public that is funding this massive expenditure,? said Robert Dow, spokesman for RAIL Back On Track.

Reference:

1. http://www.translink.com.au/qt/translin.nsf/index/smart_main  accessed 9 Dec 2007.

Contact:

Robert  Dow


Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track
http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

A ministerial statement was released today. (below).  This is not a roll out but an extension of the pilot.

The general public still has some time to wait.

---------------------------------

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
09/12/2007

smart card on the go

go card will be the public face of TransLink's smart card ticketing product, Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel revealed today.

"go card will be available soon to commuters in South East Queensland as a new paperless, electronic ticketing product," Minister Mickel said.

"We've had a lot of knockers saying it would never happen, well here it comes.

"When I met Cubic earlier this year, they reassured me the system would be ready by the end of the year as per their contract with TransLink.

"The first group of public transport users to receive the new go cards will be our pilot participants in Redcliffe and on the Sunshine Coast who will be sent their new go cards next week.

"Their feedback has been absolutely critical to this project and I am very pleased we are able to recognise their contribution by making them the first users of the go card.

"Feedback from the pilot has led to a number of important changes to the go card system.

"These changes have ranged from adjustments to elements of the pricing policy through to making the audible tone louder when users touch on or off.

"These suggestions have helped make go card an even better product."

Over 1,200 cards were issued to pilot participants in Redcliffe and on the Sunshine Coast. The pilot began in Redcliffe in July 2006 and was expanded to the Sunshine Coast in April 2007.

"Redcliffe and the Sunshine Coast were chosen as the areas for the pilot because of the interactions between bus and rail services in those two areas," Minister Mickel said.

"Surveys of our pilot participants found that almost 80% rated their satisfaction with the system as good or excellent and 84% said they would use the card in the future and recommend it to others."

Minister Mickel said the pilot participants would continue to test the system using their new go cards ahead of a progressive release to the general public in the New Year.

"The system is now being fine tuned to be ready by the end of 2007," Minister Mickel said.

"I have said all along I wanted to be sure the smart card system would meet the needs of public transport users before it is released and that is what we will be doing.

"go card will be progressively made available region by region to the general public from early in the New Year.

"go cards will be available for use by the general public on the Sunshine Coast, Caboolture, Redcliffe and Pine Rivers from January next year.

"The Brisbane area will follow in February with the Gold Coast to follow after that pending the resolution of some cross border bus issues."

Minister Mickel said he was very pleased with the progress that was being made to establish a network of agents for go card.

"The TransLink call centre is also now set up to process go card transactions and to assist new card users with any questions they may have about the new system.

"I would like to reassure public transport users once again that TransLink integrated paper tickets will continue to be available for use across the network.

"go card is another option we will be offering to public transport users to provide them with even more choice and convenience when using public transport in South East Queensland.

"The go card frequent user scheme will reward everyday travellers by providing a 50% discount on all travel after a card user has made six journeys in seven days, Monday to Sunday.

"This is the next phase in the plan that began with the establishment of TransLink and the integration of public transport ticketing across South East Queensland three and a half years ago."

For more information on the smart card project go to www.translink.com.au or phone 13 12 30.

December 9, 2007

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[ozbob]

I just listened to Mr Mickel Transport Minister explain the situation with the Go Card on 612 ABC Brisbane interviewed by Spencer Howson.  Thanks for the explanations, but there was no firm commitment to roll out for the masses.

The next phase is really an extension of pilot to continue the fine tuning.

It is essential that more fare options are made available.

Thanks to 612 ABC Brisbane and Mr Mickel.

Regards
Ozbob