Article: No-go Go cards

[ozbob]

From Quest North West News click here!

No-go Go Cards

No-go Go Cards

GROVELY, May 28: Grovely commuters claim they are paying more for train travel because of faulty Go Card swipe stations.

Grovely commuter Chris Gillott said the travel card, introduced in March, was proving anything but convenient.

"When the readers work it's great, when they don't work it's completely useless," he said.

"If you can't log your card on at the Grovely end, you have to buy a ticket, and if you can't log off on your way home they charge you $5 instead of $3.

"I have been complaining to Translink for over a month."

Rail Back on Track spokesperson, Robert Dow, said the web-based advocacy group was seeking an urgent review of current refund policies where claims to Translink must be made within five weeks.

"The time window for people to claim incorrect charges debited to their go cards should be at least six months," Mr Dow said.

"Taxpayers are rightly now very concerned as to when the system will be reliable and equitable."

State Member for Ferny Grove Geoff Wilson said he would investigate Mr Gillott's complaint.

"People who rely on public transport to get about their business need to know the system is working," he said.

"I want to assure the public that any glitches will be ironed out quickly." Queensland Transport has advised travellers who experience problem to call Translink.

"Translink is aware of some issues with devices at Grovely station, however Translink has been advised that these issues have been rectified," a Translink spokesman said.

[ozbob]

There is a letter to the editor in the Courier Mail today (May 31st) complaining of the touch problems at Grovely.

The correspondent has suggested that either the card be fixed or suspended!   

I think the wider hearts and minds battle might be lost with the go card ...  the go spin doesn't resonate with the public any more, the ongoing problems do.

Time for Translink to consider community consultation to progress the go card forward.
Taking on board the suggestions on our thread --> here might be a good start!

[Mozz]

Was Grovely station one of those which used to have QR station staff but now with the upgrade and new technology the people have been replaced and now no station staff are employed at the station?

[ozbob]

According to the QR Citytrain web site

http://www.citytrain.com.au/stations/station_details/grovely.asp

Grovely Railway station hours are:
Mon - Fri: 5:45am ? 1:45pm
Sat & Sun: Closed

I assume this is current.

[Derwan]

My housemate occasionally detrains at Grovely.  He's had to request a refund about 3 times so far.  It appears that when a second refund is requested before the first refund is applied, it confuses them and they only apply one refund.  He's had to call several times to get it sorted.

[GOody]

Any new technology is problematic during initial implementation, and there are always customers who whinge and complain about the changes.

However, Translink really have gone over and above this to really peeve customers off - so much that all I see is a constant reassurance from the media that the Go Card really is going nowhere. There are some people in Translink that shouldn't be there and need to take responsibility for the failure of the Go Card.

It is time for Translink to urgently review their implementation and work out how to fix the problems. Perhaps they need an expert or two from the Oyster rollout, perhaps they just need to put a boot into Cubic.

Then again, maybe we just have to wait 4 weeks(?) until the next CPI adjustment for fares 'fixes' some of the problems when paper fares cost more, but Go Card trips end up cheaper.

Discount by stealth!

[ozbob]

It is interesting in that the legislation for the TransLink Transit Authority specifically mentions off peak and premium ticketing options for the go card.

Some innovative ticketing options are desperately needed for the go card.  The 1st of July is the time we can reasonably expect that, as no doubt the fares for paper ticketing will be increased.

The go card, once working properly does have potential for incentive ticketing options such as discounted early bird peak travel and so forth.  Unfortunately Translink and Government are just not managing this project at all well.