Go Cards topups - expanded?

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Push to top up Go Cards at all EFTPOS machines

Push to top up Go Cards at all EFTPOS machines
April 10, 2013 - 3:44PM

EXCLUSIVE

Commuters could soon buy and top-up Go Cards from any retailer with an EFTPOS facility under changes likely to stem from a review of the public transport ticketing system.

Fairfax Media can reveal Transport Minister Scott Emerson has asked Translink to investigate more "cost-effective methods" of retailing the smartcards than those which exist under the current arrangements with US-based Go Card provider Cubic.

Mr Emerson said a potential outcome included integrating GoCard technology with existing electronic payment terminals, such as those already used by retailers offering mobile phone recharges for example.

The investigation comes as the ten-year contract, signed between Cubic and the Beattie-led Labor Government in 2003, approaches its renewal date.

It could signal a substantial shift in the way public transport is ticketed in southeast Queensland, and comes as the current fares and bus network systems are being reviewed.

But Mr Emerson said Translink was only in the "early stage of investigation", and a number of compatibility and security issues would need to be resolved changes could occur.

"Under the contract signed by the previous government, there are significant costs in installing and operating current retail-based Go Card top-up machines," he said.

"There is demand for these facilities from newsagents and retailers, however it is expensive to expand beyond the current network."

The problem of expense was compounded by the fact there was a limited number of top-up machines available to retailers such as newsagents, Queensland Newsagency Federation spokeswoman Rosemary Hume said.

Ms Hume said the conditions of the Cubic deal meant the company supplied top-up machines to the transport department which were then made available to select retailers the state identified as being located in a "black spot" area where train or bus station-based machines were unavailable.

"That's why we couldn't use our EFTPOS machines to offer people top-ups like we do with mobile phones – because we had to use their machines, and from memory there were only about 100 to 120 top-up machines made available to retailers," she said.

"It really hurt agents because we used to be the provider of the paper tickets, and it seemed like the next logical progression.

"Even now a lot of our customers don't understand why we can sell prepaid Go cards but we can't always top them up."

Commuter advocate Robert Dow said expanding the availability of top-up facilities would be "strongly welcomed".

"Online top-ups are still the preferred option," Mr Dow said.

"But there are a lot of people who don't have credit cards, or don't trust using them online, or can't use the online service for any number of other reason.

"There is no reason why a similar system as for mobile telephones could not be used from the Go card."

The origins of the current system trace back to 1999 when the government released a tender calling for the development of a ticket smartcard capable of working on buses, trains and ferries.

Cubic won the bid in 2002 amid controversy; months earlier a NSW Supreme Court judge found that Cubic had engaged in "positive dishonesty" and was "guilty of reprehensible conduct" in relation to a similar tender process for the rights to ticket Sydney's public transport system.

Then Queensland Transport Minister Steve Bredhauer defended the deal, which was reportedly worth $130 million in 2003 but now boasts an aggregate value of $225 million, according to documents on the company website.

According to the Cubic, the decade-long "managed services contract" awards it rights to a comprehensive suite of public transport services, including the operation and maintenance of back-office data systems and reporting services, revenue clearing and settlement, cardholder support and system maintenance services.

More importantly, the contract also leaves Cubic in control of the supply and distribution of Go Cards and management of the Go Card retail sales network, elements likely to change pending the outcome of the new Translink investigation.

Cubic was approached for comment, but a spokesman referred inquiries to Translink.

[somebody]

Oh FFS.

Why don't they add BPay to Go Card if they are so worried about top up possibilities/options?

Why so much talk about options that don't include removing paper, or at least further discouraging its use?

[ozbob]

Huh?  Facilitating topup is clearing the way for paper removal ...

[SurfRail]

BPay is a no-brainer, Perth have had it for Smartrider since day dot.

[somebody]

Huh?  Facilitating topup is clearing the way for paper removal ...

Top up is already possible though, at numerous locations.  This is a pretty minor advance.  The needed advance is to sell go cards on buses, the major place you can't already buy one.  Most of the other stuff is just a nice to have IMO.

[ozbob]

Huh?  Facilitating topup is clearing the way for paper removal ...

Top up is already possible though, at numerous locations.  This is a pretty minor advance.  The needed advance is to sell go cards on buses, the major place you can't already buy one.  Most of the other stuff is just a nice to have IMO.

Yes, the article is about widening the topup facilities, basically to most outlets. Not restricted as it is at the moment.  This can only be a good thing and will support paper removal.

Obviously selling go cards on buses is bit of no brainer, no problems with doing it in Melbourne.

[colinw]

Small steps in the right direction.  This is a good proposal.

[somebody]

It's a small positive step, I do agree with that.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Government sends Go Cards to tender

Government sends Go Cards to tender
Date April 11, 2013 - 12:01AM

Less than a day after revealing it was reviewing its public transport ticketing system in a move which could eventually see Go Cards topped up through any EFTPOS facility, the state government has announced it will go out to tender for the technology later this month.

Transport Minister Scott Emerson said in a statement the government would seek an expression of interest from businesses to expand the existing network of Go Card retailers.

"I believe the technology is now available to allow Go Cards to be topped up through existing electronic payment methods," Mr Emerson said.

"We will go out to tender for a next generation retail contract that could potentially see Go Cards integrated with supermarkets, grocery chains, petrol stations, newsagents or additional convenience stores."

The news comes as the 10-year contract, signed between US-based Go Card provider Cubic and the Beattie-led Labor Government, approaches its 2016 renewal date.

On Wednesday, Fairfax Media revealed Mr Emerson had asked Translink to investigate more "cost-effective methods" of retailing the smart cards than those which exist under the current deal.

"Under the contract signed by the previous government, there are significant costs in installing and operating current retail-based Go Card top-up machines," he said.

In the statement revealing the plan to go to tender, Mr Emerson said Go Cards were currently available at more than 580 locations, but the cost of installing them was restricting the expansion of the network.

A request for expression of interest is expected to be released in the coming weeks, with submissions following soon after.

"This first step would also look to resolve compatibility and security issues with integrating different technology," he said.

"It's an attractive proposition with the commercial benefit to retailers of additional foot traffic generated by more than 40,000 Go Card top-ups daily."

– Additional reporting by Katherine Feeney

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

Tender for new go card technology

The Newman Government will go out to tender for new technology to make it easier for Queenslanders to top up their go cards.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said the government would be seeking an expression of interest to expand the existing network of go card retailers.

"I believe the technology is now available to allow go cards to be topped up through existing electronic payment methods," Mr Emerson said.

"We will go out to tender for a next generation retail contract that could potentially see go cards integrated with supermarkets, grocery chains, petrol stations, newsagents or additional convenience stores.

"Availability of go cards facilities is one of the biggest issues people raise with me and this would deliver more options to purchase, top-up, check their balance or change expiry dates."

go cards are currently available at more than 580 locations, however under the contract signed by the previous Labor government, there are significant costs in installing and operating current retail-based go card top-up machines.

Mr Emerson said there was demand for these facilities from newsagents and retailers, however the cost was restricting the expansion of the network.

"This first step would also look to resolve compatibility and security issues with integrating different technology," he said.

"It's an attractive proposition with the commercial benefit to retailers of additional foot traffic generated by more than 40,000 go card top-ups daily."

A request for expression of interest is expected to be released in the coming weeks, with submissions following soon after.

For more information, visit www.translink.com.au or phone 13 12 30, anytime.

[#Metro]

Good. I would like to see the TransPerth system rolled out in Brisbane as an option. Similar city with similar situation. Ultimately, I'd like to see cross-border interoperability - many travel between Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, PT should be just one card, load whatever you want, touch off, have it deducted.

[nathandavid88]

There are issues in having a single card that works everywhere though. The systems in Australia have been rolled out by companies who are direct competitors, and I'm sure that they would be reluctant to allow rivals the access to their systems that would be needed to have interoperability (that's if the systems can even be made to work with other system cards). Then you have complexity issues like systems having to recognise multiple fare structures and the issues of having student cards (would have to be programmed to give a concession fare in the state of origin, but full fare interstate) and differences in pensioner concessions state to state. I think interoperability just brings in too much complexity and too high a cost to implement, compared to a relatively low number of people who would genuinely benefit from it. If you travel interstate often for business or whatever, just buy a Myki or whatever.

As for easier top up facilities, I definitely applaud that move! Not everyone is tech savvy enough to use bpay (and it's not exactly something you could easily do out and about, needing the biller codes), just as not everyone wants/can link it to a credit card. Having more retailers able to top up the cards is a good option as out in the suburbs there's not a 7Eleven on every corner, and maybe it will also allow the reverse – buying things with the balance on your Go Card, as can be done overseas. 

[techblitz]

BPay is a no-brainer, Perth have had it for Smartrider since day dot.

coles and woolies will hopefully jump at the opportunity to sell this stuff....after a handsome fee of course.
Frequent shopper points anyone?

[SurfRail]

They also need to upgrade the AVVMs to dispense adult cards.  (They could dispense concession cards on the basis that they expire if you don't register it within a certain period of time and present a valid concession - say a week.)

[somebody]

They also need to upgrade the AVVMs to dispense adult cards.  (They could dispense concession cards on the basis that they expire if you don't register it within a certain period of time and present a valid concession - say a week.)

Too open for rorting with the concession cards.

A number of AVVMs already do dispense adult cards.  Although I guess not on the rail network which is a bit of a limitation.

[SurfRail]

Too open for rorting with the concession cards.

A number of AVVMs already do dispense adult cards.  Although I guess not on the rail network which is a bit of a limitation.

Wouldn't bother me if it didn't happen.  If the deposit is set correctly it should be possible.

The only AVVMs which dispense go cards are the later machines rolled out off the rail network.  The basic hardware should be effectively the same.  If we are only looking at 3,000 go card sales a day (with evidence of rorting going on) it shouldn't be too hard to keep them stocked for the occasional user who needs a new one.

[Gazza]

They also need to upgrade the AVVMs to dispense adult cards.  (They could dispense concession cards on the basis that they expire if you don't register it within a certain period of time and present a valid concession - say a week.)

Too open for rorting with the concession cards.

A number of AVVMs already do dispense adult cards.  Although I guess not on the rail network which is a bit of a limitation.

I disagree, you could walk up to any AVVM and buy a concession ticket every day for the train to save money, but eventually you'd be caught.
Same thing here.

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> Upgraded go card facilities will benefit commuters says a northside business owner

[achiruel]

coles and woolies will hopefully jump at the opportunity to sell this stuff....after a handsome fee of course.
Frequent shopper points anyone?

Haha, I could finally get AMEX rewards points for topping up my GO Card

[somebody]

Auto top up is already present, Shane!

[ozbob]

You would reasonably think not, but there is a lot of resistance to auto-topup.  I have used auto-top for multiple go cards for myself and family members since it became available and only ever had one issue which was a TransLink/Bank communication error.  Auto-topup does not suit everyone by a long shot, so there is a need for better access all over. As the Minister indicated in his statement a common complaint is the lack of topup facilities.  It is bit of a no-brainer to roll it out universally via EFTPOS or a voucher system like mobile phones.

[somebody]

Auto top up is already present, Shane!

Thanks, so more top up places are not needed then?

The major issue is that if you walk up to a bus stop away from the busway without a go card in credit your only option is to use paper.  This change does nothing to address that.

[ozbob]

Only in BCC's area ...

[somebody]

Only in BCC's area ...

Half right (as was my comment).  If you don't already have a Go Card (or left it at home) there's still a problem.

[somebody]

I'd be much more enthusiastic if they removed paper ticket sales from Citycats (where they already sell Go Cards) and railway ticket offices.

[ozbob]

Melbourne buses now sell myki Starter Packs - $10 for full fare (incl. $4 credit) & $5 for concession/seniors (incl. $2 credit), not sure if the regional buses do however.

If paper is removed having pre-loaded go cards available on buses would be necessary.  Otherwise we will be stuck with paper for ever.

[somebody]

If paper is removed having pre-loaded go cards available on buses would be necessary.  Otherwise we will be stuck with paper for ever.

But you could make the couple of minor steps I posted above now, without other changes.  Stick, rather than carrot, but better than the stick of exorbitant fares.

I disagree, you could walk up to any AVVM and buy a concession ticket every day for the train to save money, but eventually you'd be caught.
Same thing here.

I just checked this and indeed you can.  I don't think this should be possible either.  If you can't organise to get a concession card from a seller I don't have any problem with charging full fare.

[somebody]

In Melbourne you can always buy a Myki on a bus.  So they've solved the problem.  We just haven't.

[somebody]

In Melbourne you can always buy a Myki on a bus.  So they've solved the problem.  We just haven't.

And entrenches the need for the driver to handle money and add to dwell times. Time to move on me thinks.

In Munich and other parts of Germany you can buy single tickets on the tram and I think maybe bus. But the driver has nothing to do with it. Its a machine down the back. All the top up facilities are machines on the street.

I'd estimate 0.1% or less of boardings are slowed by this.  Not really a problem justifying that level of expense IMO.

[somebody]

We agree to disagree.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Doesn't Melbourne have or had a problem with onboard ticket purchases as in passengers couldn't reach them due to overcrowding?

[somebody]

Doesn't Melbourne have or had a problem with onboard ticket purchases as in passengers couldn't reach them due to overcrowding?

Not sure what you mean.  I'm sure they don't encourage buses so crowded people need to stand on what is here the red part of the floor.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Sorry, Melboure trams (before the myki switch over). During peak hour passengers struggled to reach the onboard ticketing machines (not via the driver which threw the staff at risk with money out the window) or something. Might have been Adelaide but I do recall something about passengers struggling to reach onboard payment systems due to overcrowding risking getting fined for not travelling on a ticket.

[verbatim9]

7 eleven no longer offering Go card services

[verbatim9]

I am just questioning the timing on this? Wouldn't of been more.appropriate to wait until smart ticketing is up.and running in most locations before relinquishing the Go Card contract with 7-eleven?

[SurfRail]

The decision is apparently 7-Eleven's.  Not sure how the government can force them to continue to offer a service.

[ozbob]

The decision is apparently 7-Eleven's.  Not sure how the government can force them to continue to offer a service.

Yes.  https://translink.com.au/service-updates/294891

" This is a commercial decision taken by 7-Eleven. TransLink is working with other store owners to expand the go card retailer network. "