Buying paper tickets at busway stations - changes from 27 April

[ozbob]

http://www.translink.com.au/servicechange.php?id=569

Buying paper tickets at busway stations - effective 27 April 2010

Fare machines have been installed at a number of busway stations across the network. From Tuesday 27 April, customers buying paper tickets will use these machines.

Conductors will be removed from the following busway stations during peak times:

    * Cultural Centre
    * King George Square (Adelaide Street concourse)
    * Mater Hill
    * Roma Street
    * South Bank
    * Upper Mount Gravatt.

Pre-paid platform arrangements in peak times will remain. Busway Safety Officers will be on hand during these times to answer customer questions.

King George Square busway station

Ticket sellers will remain at the Ann Street entrance in the afternoon peak. Tickets can also be purchased at Rankins on the Mall.

[ozbob]

Media Release 26 April 2010

SEQ:  Conductors being removed from busway stations

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 bus commuters need to be aware that changes at bus stations with ticket machines will occur from Tuesday 27th April 2010.  Conductors will no longer be selling tickets at peak times (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Some of our members have raised concerns as to what bus commuters who are unable to purchase a ticket or top up a go card due to an AVVM (ticket) machine failure will do when conductors are no longer around considering that a number of bus stations are prepaid only at peak times.  Can they travel without a ticket?  It is an offence to travel without a ticket unless there is a reasonable excuse. Clearly if a person is unable to purchase a ticket due to a machine failure, and the fact that go cards cannot be topped up on Brisbane Transport buses there is the potential for passengers to be stranded.  Under these circumstances is it reasonable to travel without a ticket? This needs to be clarified by TransLink."

"A recent report of top-up failure with an AVVM further highlights the problem (2)."

"Clearly the best option is for commuters to obtain a go card, register it and activate auto-topup.  This overcomes most of these issues, however many people do not want to do that. During the transition from paper tickets to a 100% go card ticketing environment problems such as we have described need to considered in an empathetic manner by TransLink and Transit Officers."

References:

1.  http://www.translink.com.au/servicechange.php?id=569

2.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3749.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[stephenk]

All busway stations should have AVVMs. I don't understand why Translink seem to be reluctant to install them at some locations such as RCH Herston and Normanby. As far as I'm aware, there at AVVMs at most inner-suburban train stations, so why not at all busway stations?

[Golliwog]

I think they might be trying for that, but maybe the machines can't be built fast enough? Still though, they have had how many years now?

[ozbob]

RCH Herston is to get an AVVM, when I am not sure but it is on the list.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbane mX 27th April 2010 page 2

Conductors wave adieu

Conductors will no longer be at major bus stations during peak travel times.

From today, conductors brought in when pre-paid routes were first introduced will removed because fare machines have been installed.

A Translink spokesman said commuters unable to buy tickets or top-up go cards because of broken machines would deal directly with bus drivers.

============

deal directly with bus drivers

[Golliwog]

Sounds like a brilliantly well thought out plan....

[ozbob]

All part of the commitment to customer service no doubt .. 

recent twitter

612brisbane
 
100 millionth gocard trip expected around 8.30am - we understand someone at King George Square bus station will be given $100 voucher

[Golliwog]

...I'll laugh if the 100 millionth ends up being someone out in the suburbs catching a local bus or something. Better yet, someone down on the GC.

[justanotheruser]

...I'll laugh if the 100 millionth ends up being someone out in the suburbs catching a local bus or something. Better yet, someone down on the GC.

except they will have it planned for the location already chosen and have the camera ready to take a photo with lucky punter