An important issue - Reverse ticketing

[ozbob]

There is an unhealthy culture developing with respect to ticketing on our public transport. 

Our position is and has always been that fare evasion as a deliberate act is illegal. 

Unfortunately, it now seems that the burden of responsibility for a failing ticket system is being forced onto innocent commuters.

For example, a recent event a go card user was unable to touch on due to failed equipment.  Under these circumstances you are permitted to travel in an untouched state.  The person however decided that they would purchase a ticket from the AVVM, but when he went to use the AVVM it was out of order.  He commenced his journey and enroute was told by TTOs that there was no excuse for travelling without a ticket.

This is not the case at all. 

Recent advice from QR Passenger confirms that if you have a go card with credit, and you are not able to touch on you may travel. 

I have received advice that under the circumstances as outlined above, if you unable to touch on due to faulty equipment you can travel in an untouched state.  If queried state that the equipment was faulty.  If a TTO or staff member is not aware at the time of the equipment issue they may take your details, which when confirmation of the equipment failure is verified those details are then destroyed.

This is exactly what happens on buses, regularly, except for the name bit.  Too many LOL. 

You are not required to run from platform to platform to find a reader working or expected to buy a ticket if you can't touch on with your go card.  In many cases the go card user won't have cash in any case.

There needs to be a clear statement by TransLink that clarifies these issues.

As I understand it these conditions are still relevant.

http://qroti.com/travelinfo/qr/citytrain/reversesales/

Reverse Sales

Major stations provide reverse sales windows, which can be used in limited circumstances to purchase tickets after the journey has commenced.

The circumstances can be one of the following:

    * When a passenger has a current ticket, and wishes to upgrade to a season ticket or a new destination. To do this, present your ticket at the attended destination station on the same day of purchase. It will be credited to the cost of a new ticket from that date.

    * When a person boards at an unattended station, where Ticket Vending Machines were either not existent or broken.

    * When a person is unable to use a Ticket Vending Machine due to a physical or intellectual disability. A Health Benefit Card constitutes proof of this condition, and must be produced upon request by QR Citytrain authorised staff, wherever you be on a train or at a station.

Sign in the subway at Oxley (below).  It is little wonder people feel confused and worry if they cannot get a ticket prior to travel for circumstances beyond their control.  Running late is NOT an excuse for not having a ticket.  Although I do empathise a little when one observes the long queues at solitary AVVMs at non-staffed stations as punters struggle to navigate the poor GUI.

I have witnessed a punter who, on seeing the ticket machine was out of order, abandoned her planned train trip and went to the cab rank instead..  She was afraid that she would be fined $200 and felt it was cheaper to go by taxi.  Sad ...



Photograph R Dow 28th March 2009