22 Sep 2011: SEQ: Urgent actions needed with public transport ticketing

[ozbob]

Media release 22 September 2011

SEQ: Urgent actions needed with public transport ticketing

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has again called for urgent actions to address the conditions of use of the go card, actions to improve the fare structure and for improvements in the go card equipment (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The recent Brisbane Exhibition public transport ticketing meltdown was a turning point. It is unacceptable to pretend all is well with the present ticketing system on our public transport.  Recent feedback to Brisbane media has again indicated that there is a significant proportion of users that are having real issues with the go card (1).  If they abandon the go card they are punished with high cost time limited paper single tickets as the only general option."

"The conditions of use for the go card need expansion (2). Suggested improvements are listed below."

"The fare structure needs an overhaul.  Better incentives for maximising public transport use, particularly out of peak are needed."

"Equipment that is difficult to use because of moisture, glare, poor positioning and inaudible beeps needs fixing.  The pilot readers on trial at Oxley are certainly better than the present readers. These should be rolled out where users are having problems because of positioning of readers at certain locations at a minimum (3)."

"The system software for go card should be upgraded to including the capability of automatically adjusting fixed fares for regular users where there are isolated fixed fares.  This has been recently implemented for the Oyster Card in London, a similar product to the Go card (4)."

"Frankly, the public doesn't want any more 'go spin' what is needed is decisive action today!"

References:

1. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/thousands-fall-victim-to-default-go-card-fares-20110919-1kgey.html

2. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6583.0

3. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4314.0

4. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6690.0

Contact:

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

Suggested conditions of use for go card

The go card system is dependent on technology but we recognise that sometimes it fails.  Go card users are assured that providing they are using their go card in good faith, they do not have to fear that they will be regarded as a fare evader and warned or fined should they not be able to touch on in the following circumstances:

1.  You have credit on your card go card or auto-top up is activated.

2.  On a bus or ferry if you are not able to touch on because of equipment failure the driver or crew will wave you on.  Do not touch off when you leave that bus or ferry.  You can travel for free.

3.  If go card readers have failed on your platform of departure at railway station (or concourse as appropriate) you can travel for your trip for free. Do not touch off at the completion of your trip.

4.  If your go card fails, the bus driver or crew person will take the number of your go card. You are permitted to complete your journey for free but you need to take steps to obtain a new go card.  A central register of failed go card numbers is maintained and if you continue to use a failed go card you may be warned or fined.  If unable to touch on at railway station because of a go card failure complete your journey, but obtain a new go card.  If you pass through an attended fare gate the railway staff will take note of your go card number.

5.  It is not possible to list all the other miscellaneous causes of a go card touch failure, however providing you have credit on your go card and/or auto-topup activated and you are acting in good faith, you are permitted to complete your journey.

6.  If you are not able to use a go card because of a significant permanent physical or intellectual disability you may be entitled to a TransLink Access Pass.  See --> http://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/other-tickets/special-access-passes/translink-access-pass

[ozbob]

Discussion board fares and go card --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?board=27.0

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

29th September 2011

SEQ: Urgent actions needed with public transport ticketing

Greetings,

Patronage on public transport is falling as a result of a poor fare structure.  Importantly the relative fare box is falling as well.

It is obvious that a revamped fare structure is needed.

See  TransLink Transit Authority – Annual Report 2010-11

Available from here --> http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/tabled-papers/online-tabled-papers

Best wishes
Robert

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


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

Media release 22 September 2011 re-released 29 September 2011

SEQ: Urgent actions needed with public transport ticketing

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has again called for urgent actions to address the conditions of use of the go card, actions to improve the fare structure and for improvements in the go card equipment (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The recent Brisbane Exhibition public transport ticketing meltdown was a turning point. It is unacceptable to pretend all is well with the present ticketing system on our public transport.  Recent feedback to Brisbane media has again indicated that there is a significant proportion of users that are having real issues with the go card (1).  If they abandon the go card they are punished with high cost time limited paper single tickets as the only general option."

"The conditions of use for the go card need expansion (2). Suggested improvements are listed below."

"The fare structure needs an overhaul.  Better incentives for maximising public transport use, particularly out of peak are needed."

"Equipment that is difficult to use because of moisture, glare, poor positioning and inaudible beeps needs fixing.  The pilot readers on trial at Oxley are certainly better than the present readers. These should be rolled out where users are having problems because of positioning of readers at certain locations at a minimum (3)."

"The system software for go card should be upgraded to including the capability of automatically adjusting fixed fares for regular users where there are isolated fixed fares.  This has been recently implemented for the Oyster Card in London, a similar product to the Go card (4)."

"Frankly, the public doesn't want any more 'go spin' what is needed is decisive action today!"

References:

1. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/thousands-fall-victim-to-default-go-card-fares-20110919-1kgey.html

2. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6583.0

3. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4314.0

4. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6690.0

Contact:

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


Suggested conditions of use for go card

The go card system is dependent on technology but we recognise that sometimes it fails.  Go card users are assured that providing they are using their go card in good faith, they do not have to fear that they will be regarded as a fare evader and warned or fined should they not be able to touch on in the following circumstances:

1.  You have credit on your card go card or auto-top up is activated.

2.  On a bus or ferry if you are not able to touch on because of equipment failure the driver or crew will wave you on.  Do not touch off when you leave that bus or ferry.  You can travel for free.

3.  If go card readers have failed on your platform of departure at railway station (or concourse as appropriate) you can travel for your trip for free. Do not touch off at the completion of your trip.

4.  If your go card fails, the bus driver or crew person will take the number of your go card. You are permitted to complete your journey for free but you need to take steps to obtain a new go card.  A central register of failed go card numbers is maintained and if you continue to use a failed go card you may be warned or fined.  If unable to touch on at railway station because of a go card failure complete your journey, but obtain a new go card.  If you pass through an attended fare gate the railway staff will take note of your go card number.

5.  It is not possible to list all the other miscellaneous causes of a go card touch failure, however providing you have credit on your go card and/or auto-topup activated and you are acting in good faith, you are permitted to complete your journey.

6.  If you are not able to use a go card because of a significant permanent physical or intellectual disability you may be entitled to a TransLink Access Pass.  See --> http://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/other-tickets/special-access-passes/translink-access-pass

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

13th October 2011

Go concerns ...

Greetings,

There  is increasing public concern with the situation of go card users being potentially treated as fare-evaders whilst using their go cards in the correct manner.

It seems that Transit Officers and Senior Network Officers are increasingly having problems with reading go cards with the mobile readers when checking ticketing onboard trains, buses and ferries.   Feedback has been received of situations where users who on having their correctly touched on go cards being checked in transit, the mobile readers are not detecting the correct touch state of the go cards.  In one case the user was threatened with a formal warning.  This is UNACCEPTABLE.  Warning go card users for a failure of mobile ticketing equipment is an outrage.  Any such warnings should be erased from the  record immediately.  In one case, the Transit Officer was observed bending the go card in an attempt to get it to detect.  Can the authorities please direct Transit Officers and Senior Network Officers to NOT bend users' go cards?  It shortens the use life of the go card and may break the card.

The general conditions of use of the go card are also wanting.  A number of recent phone calls to talk back radio have also indicated that some users have abandoned go cards because they are terrified that they will be given a fare evasion offence should there be a failure.  They then have two choices:  not use public transport, or pay high costs using single paper tickets, the only ticketing alternative.  See below for some suggestions for improved conditions of use of go card.

The travelling public needs assurance that providing they are doing the right thing, they have nothing to fear.

Best wishes.

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

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

Media release 22 September 2011 re-released 13 October 2011

SEQ: Urgent actions needed with public transport ticketing

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has again called for urgent actions to address the conditions of use of the go card, actions to improve the fare structure and for improvements in the go card equipment (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The recent Brisbane Exhibition public transport ticketing meltdown was a turning point. It is unacceptable to pretend all is well with the present ticketing system on our public transport.  Recent feedback to Brisbane media has again indicated that there is a significant proportion of users that are having real issues with the go card (1).  If they abandon the go card they are punished with high cost time limited paper single tickets as the only general option."

"The conditions of use for the go card need expansion (2). Suggested improvements are listed below."

"The fare structure needs an overhaul.  Better incentives for maximising public transport use, particularly out of peak are needed."

"Equipment that is difficult to use because of moisture, glare, poor positioning and inaudible beeps needs fixing.  The pilot readers on trial at Oxley are certainly better than the present readers. These should be rolled out where users are having problems because of positioning of readers at certain locations at a minimum (3)."

"The system software for go card should be upgraded to including the capability of automatically adjusting fixed fares for regular users where there are isolated fixed fares.  This has been recently implemented for the Oyster Card in London, a similar product to the Go card (4)."

"Frankly, the public doesn't want any more 'go spin' what is needed is decisive action today!"

References:

1. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/thousands-fall-victim-to-default-go-card-fares-20110919-1kgey.html

2. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6583.0

3. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4314.0

4. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6690.0

Contact:

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


Suggested conditions of use for go card

The go card system is dependent on technology but we recognise that sometimes it fails.  Go card users are assured that providing they are using their go card in good faith, they do not have to fear that they will be regarded as a fare evader and warned or fined should they not be able to touch on in the following circumstances:

1.  You have credit on your card go card or auto-top up is activated.

2.  On a bus or ferry if you are not able to touch on because of equipment failure the driver or crew will wave you on.  Do not touch off when you leave that bus or ferry.  You can travel for free.

3.  If go card readers have failed on your platform of departure at railway station (or concourse as appropriate) you can travel for your trip for free. Do not touch off at the completion of your trip.

4.  If your go card fails, the bus driver or crew person will take the number of your go card. You are permitted to complete your journey for free but you need to take steps to obtain a new go card.  A central register of failed go card numbers is maintained and if you continue to use a failed go card you may be warned or fined.  If unable to touch on at railway station because of a go card failure complete your journey, but obtain a new go card.  If you pass through an attended fare gate the railway staff will take note of your go card number.

5.  It is not possible to list all the other miscellaneous causes of a go card touch failure, however providing you have credit on your go card and/or auto-topup activated and you are acting in good faith, you are permitted to complete your journey.

6.  If you are not able to use a go card because of a significant permanent physical or intellectual disability you may be entitled to a TransLink Access Pass.  See --> http://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/other-tickets/special-access-passes/translink-access-pass