Article: Commuters score free bus trips

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

Commuters score free bus trips

Commuters score free bus trips
Tony Moore | September 5, 2008 - 12:24PM

Tens of thousands of bus passengers had free trips in August because the go card system keeps breaking down, according to figures released by Translink this morning.

The news comes as the Auditor General's department confirmed yesterday afternoon it had begun a six-month audit of South-East Queensland's "pressured" public transport system.

A public transport source said one officer from the Auditor General's department had just "thrown his hands in the air" after the first two weeks of a month-long review of the State Government's go card system.

The officer is understood to be exasperated at how frequently bus passengers were given free trips because the card readers were failing.

Translink this morning reported that faults with card readers on Brisbane's buses happened on 0.5 per cent of bus services, but they were less frequent than with the paper-based 10 Trip Saver system.

However, spokesman Adam Nicholson said Translink was now withholding "milestone" payments from US-based company Cubic because of faults with the go card system.

"Issues with go card devices occur very infrequently and the new equipment is far more reliable than previous ticketing systems, like the Ten Trip Saver," Mr Nicholson said.

"For example, operator-reported faults for devices on TransLink buses impact just 0.5% of services."

There were 206,136 bus services in Brisbane during August.

That means 0.5 per cent of bus services is 1030 bus services where bus trips were free. Each bus is able to hold around 62 passengers.

Public transport lobby group Rail: Back on Track - which supports the go card scheme - this morning demanded answers.

Spokesman Robert Dow said details of the Cubic contract should be made public.

"Rail: Back On Track has received a lot of feedback from go card users that indicates that the go card is not working properly on the buses," Mr Dow said.

"It is hit and miss, and many commuters are reporting free rides; waved on to buses because the system is not functioning.

"One colleague of mine has enjoyed four free trips this week out of eight - is this 50 per cent free ride option system-wide?"

Mr Dow questioned whether Queensland Transport's contract with Cubic included penalties for "failed" trips.

"Teething time is well and truly over. Does the go card contract actually have provision for financial penalties if the system is not fit for purpose?" he questioned.

"Does the TransLink Transit Authority actually know how many free rides are enjoyed each day? Is there any indication as to the number of touch failures?"

This reporter has received a free bus trip on the CBD to West End bus service four times in the past fortnight because card readers were not working.

TransLink said specific details of Cubic's contract with TransLink are commercial-in-confidence.

"The performance management framework under the contract can include withholding of milestone payments, bonuses for good performance and abatements for inadequate performance," Mr Nicholson said.

"At this stage the primary mechanism imposed on Cubic has been withholding milestone payments."

A spokeswoman from the Queensland Audit Office yesterday afternoon said the public transport audit was underway and that it would take six months to complete.

"We would think that the results would go to Parliament early in 2009," the spokeswoman said.

Rail, Tram and Bus Union assistant secretary David Madders said bus drivers were still reporting faults with the satellite tracking and with go card readers.

But he said drivers had spoken with Transport Minister John Mickel at the Virginia and Garden City depots and he was soon to visit the Toowong depot.

[ozbob]

Seems like it might be nearing election time.  Interesting news that an audit is underway.

The fact remains the system is failing.  A number of work colleagues have today reported many issues with go card.

[ozbob]

From Brisbane mX 5 September 2008 page 2

Free for all on TransLink

Commuters are still receiving free rides because of problems with go card, almost nine months after it was launched.

TransLink this morning said it still hadn't collated the numbers of commuters who were given free rides after readers broke down.  It also doesn't know how much revenue has been lost as a result.

Commuter group Rail Back On Track spokesman Robert Dow said some commuters were still receiving up to four trips a week.

"It is hit and miss." he said.

"Many commuters are reporting free rides, waved on to buses because the system is not functioning.

[ozbob]

Free rides are still continuing on the buses.  One person has reported that: 

I ran out of 10 trips a couple of weeks ago and so got a GO card and have been using it on BCC buses ever since.

The best part is the constant savings that the GO Card gives me.

I get at least 3 free trips a week because the equipment on the buses is faulty and the driver just waves me on. The best week I had was 5 free trips in one week.

So if the aim of the Go Card is to save the passengers time and money, I can definitely say that I have saved money, and it takes no time at all to get waved onto a bus for free.

It seems as ten trippers are phased out and users take up the go card, many are delighted with the regular free trips they are scoring.  The TTA continues to live in a go card dream world.  One of our members is proceeding with a complaint which has confirmed absolutely the intermittent failure problems with the equipment.
The failures were witnessed and documented.

If you are seeking a refund and the excuse that the people used the equipment before and after you so it must be your fault is given as the reason for a non-refund.  Challenge it! 

[ozbob]

Sept 5 2008 ... The news comes as the Auditor General's department confirmed yesterday afternoon it had begun a six-month audit of South-East Queensland's "pressured" public transport system ...

I wonder what has happened to this audit?  Six months is long gone??

[#Metro]

Seems like it might be nearing election time.  Interesting news that an audit is underway.

The fact remains the system is failing.  A number of work colleagues have today reported many issues with go card.

Did this audit get released?

[ozbob]

Sure did, it was damning.  We had the opportunity to make some contributions to the report and audit.

http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/docs/find.aspx?id=5309T463  PDF

Report to Parliament No. 3 for 2009
Transport network management and urban congestion in
South East Queensland

A Performance Management Systems Audit

Executive Summary here! PDF



and

http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2429.0