Minor Changes that could be implemented in the short term

[Andrew]

Have been tossing up a few ideas that could be implemented with very little effort:

1. Extend concession to Health Care Card holders - simply a policy change

2. Change go card programming on buses, trams & ferries. Instead of deducting a fixed amount, the go card could be programmed to complete a journey to the last stop on the service (Trams would be the whole line end to end).  This would allow continuations if you forget to touch off and would be far less punitive than the fixed fare in many cases (e.g. most BT buses don't travel more than 5 zones).  The longest bus route zone-wise I think is the 649 which uses 10 zones.  Theoretically it should be as easy as changing the programming for what the card readers do when a card is touched.  A similar system could be investigated in the longer term for trains too by having a default journey for each station.

3. Paper tickets become 2hr (or 3.5 hour in longer journey cases) transfer tickets.  This would be mainly a policy change with the restriction on return journeys lifted for both Go Card and Paper tickets (even though most drivers don't check that closely anyway).

Obviously the fare system needs a wholesale overhaul in structure but I thought things such as these might provide some benefit or relief in the short term until a review can be carried out and implemented.  Feel free to add to the list. 

[aldonius]

1. I believe RBoT has been supportive of this for some time 

2. Hmm, interesting.

3. Would you agree that the paper ticket being a 'daily' makes sense? The price would be about 2.5 equivalent go-card journeys. Fewer tickets  needing to be sold overall, slightly less punitively expensive.

[Andrew]

1. I believe RBoT has been supportive of this for some time 

I know.  My main reason for putting it in is that it would bring QLD into line with other states.

3. Would you agree that the paper ticket being a 'daily' makes sense? The price would be about 2.5 equivalent go-card journeys. Fewer tickets  needing to be sold overall, slightly less punitively expensive.

There are pro's and con's for a paper ticket (vs a Go Card cap) when it comes to a daily ticket.  As a bus driver, I would prefer a Go Card Cap as it would mean less work and more importantly, time, spent selling tickets.  I think that issue should be dealt with properly by a fare review.  The aim of these suggestions was something that could be introduced short term.

[Arnz]

I believe its only the unemployed/Newstart Health Care Card holders that are not covered for concessions.  Pensioner Concession Cards (Elderly & Disabled) are covered for PT concessions.

[ozbob]

Thanks for the suggestions Andrew. 

I am hopeful that we might learn more about what is planned for the new fare system and associated fare review in the next few weeks.

Developing new algorithms on the present system (e.g variable fixed fares) is probably not going happen because of the cost and the timing now. 

Concessions for health care card holders can happen overnight.  Other states all do this effectively.  These people can get a green go card and proof of entitlement is the HCC.  Bit like using the TTCC in a sense.

Any other immediate improvements are really limited to what is in the system programming capabilities already, hence what we have been suggesting for some immediate relief eg. increasing off peak discount to 30% are just very simple one line code changes and can be done as algorithms already exist.

We have also been pushing hard for proper community consultation concerning the proposed fare review.  All fare structures have until this point been top down implementation of what the authorities thought best with negligible community input.

[Arnz]

Concessions for health care card holders can happen overnight.  Other states all do this effectively.  These people can get a green go card and proof of entitlement is the HCC.  Bit like using the TTCC in a sense.

Would be better if it was a combined Health Care Card/Go Card to allow Centrelink to track job seeker requirements.  That way if someone gets a job or they haven't been meeting obligations, the DHS rep can change the card to a adult go card with a few clicks of the button.

[ozbob]

Agree, but will take months and cost ... meanwhile no concessions. 

Anyone can purchase a concession go card now.  To use it you need to carry proof of entitlement.

[ozbob]

My own view is the sooner paper is gone the better. 

I expect that new system will see that happen.  Note though that I expect that open payment will be possible on the new system, as well as a go card, bank cards (eg. visa etc.) and smart phones will be able to be used as well.

Sydney has indicated that they too intend to remove all paper tickets as soon as opal introduction is completed with all options etc.  Melbourne is tracking along fine with just the myki as well, despite all the protestations of doom when paper pulled.

There is still room though I believe for limited use smart card tickets suitable for visitors/tourists etc.  These were considered for our system here in Brisbane but was not proceeded with because of cost.  Things change over 10 years.

[#Metro]

It is entirely possible to have a short term paper smart card. Amsterdam has this for tourists, and it is embedded in the front cover of a fold-out map.



https://www.ns.nl/producten/static/BOS/ns-Site/website-ns-b2c-webshop/ns-website-ns-b2c-webshop/nl_NL/Overig/ATT_Headerbeeld_620x246_01%20(2).png

[red dragin]

It is entirely possible to have a short term paper smart card. Amsterdam has this for tourists, and it is embedded in the front cover of a fold-out map.



https://www.ns.nl/producten/static/BOS/ns-Site/website-ns-b2c-webshop/ns-website-ns-b2c-webshop/nl_NL/Overig/ATT_Headerbeeld_620x246_01%20(2).png

Had one similar in 2010 - brought at our hotel front desk and put on our room bill. Probably the easiest we had in Europe/UK.

Used it to get to watch State of Origin in an Australian pub in a square in Amsterdam. Was a memorable experience! 

[ozbob]

Re go card programming... Probably won't be fixed for a long time. It sounds easy to just be like "reprogram" but I believe the current system is on a contract to a certain specification and any changes are costly

Spot on.  Hence immediate improvements can be done only on the existing algorithms essentially.  The original contract was very dumb.

LD, you are reminding me what a backwater we are here in SEQ.   Something has to give shortly, the mediocrity must be overcome!