hello hello ....

[ozbob]

There was an article in the Australian Financial Review 27th March 2009 page 54 titled Qld commuters may bank on smartcards

Some key points summarised from that article:

1. go card is currently based on the relatively limited Mifare Classic chip standard, but this may soon be upgraded to give the device more functionality and security.

2. TransLink had deliberately taken a slower and more conservative approach to the introduction of go card so that consumers could become accustomed to the device and take it up voluntarily.

3.  Incentives, including discounts, could then be handed out after any teething problems were dealt with and there was more impetus to get passengers to switch technologies. This avoided the possibility of consumers becoming initially disillusioned with the technology ...

4.  Options being considered by TransLink include the introduction of dual interface bank cards, adding go card ticketing microchips to university student cards, and widening payments to include pay parking or event access.

On point 3, many users have become disillusioned sadly. 

There is a need to get cracking now ...  incentives, and improved support and functionality.

[ozbob]

From http://www.finextra.com/fullstory.asp?id=19833

Queensland investigates combined bank and transit card

27 March 2009 - 11:58
Queensland investigates combined bank and transit card
The Australian state of Queensland is seeking partner banks to develop a combined contactless transit and payments card.

TransLink, the local transport authority, says it wants to add new features to the contactless "go card" launched a year ago, which covers buses, trains and ferries.

Speaking at the Cards & Payments Australasia conference, Colin Hegarty, Go Card operations and contracts manager, TransLink, says he is also looking at widening the use of the technology to cover parking payments and event access.

In addition, the authority is embarking on a trial at Griffith University, adding the "go card" chip to student cards. The card can also be used as an electronic purse for low value retail payments.

At the same conference, Philip Lowe, assistant governor of financial systems, Reserve Bank, said credit card fraud committed online, over the phone or by post has risen by around 50% in the last year, threatening consumer confidence in Internet shopping. He said more needs to be done to offer consumers secure payment options.

[Fares_Fair]

My goodness, they can't even get the GoCard right yet and they want to add extra services like this to it. 
They have got to be kidding !

They had better increase their telephone complaint operators a hundredfold.
They'll be sorely needed by the students ... I can hear it now - the blame will be passed onto the retailer.

I think I'll call it "GoCard tennis", where the blame will go back and forth between
TransLink (who administer the card) and the Retailer in an effort to correct monetary disputes.

Game on ...


Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[ozbob]

The good thing about the recent press is that it seems to confirm there are now definite improvements such as incentives, discounts, linking with retail sales and so forth, on the go card horizon.

The fixed part of the go card system, rail and retailers is generally working ok with the exception of the go card gate arrays.  They seem to have a few issues still.

The mobile system does seem to have some 'teething problems (as TL refer to it)'.  Most Griffith students would be bus commuters if using a go card so it will be a good test in that sense.

There are big gains for bus particularly in terms of loading efficiency if everyone is go carding.

Bring in capping and further discounts/incentives and it will be used.  Many students, particularly if working part time may still find paper a better deal unless there is capping on the GO ...

[Fares_Fair]

I agree with you wholeheartedly Bob,
I can see the benefits and time that can be saved by 'GoCard'ers on the Buses,
if only they could get it to work consistently and properly, that will save much time boarding.
No wrangling for change.

The Rail network is the most stable part of the GoCard enterprise with fixed touch on and off points.
You'll always have hardware problems from time to time with whatever equipment is used.
I agree there too.

I'm concerned about complicating something that is not correctly working yet.
That would be a recipe for disaster.

Bring in the capping, the weekly or monthly or 3 monthly or 6 monthly or annual equivalents.
Make it the same as the current paper tickets (all number of trips covered) and it's use will explode.
Hopefully such gains are in the pipeline.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[dwb]

UQ has had smart card encoded student ID cards since about 2006 and QUT just moved to smart card encoded cards Sem 1 this year tied in to a new room access technology.

It is unfortunate that Translink hasn't been more proactive with students at all the three major universities from the outset.

I'm also disappointed in the complexity of getting a new go card when your student card runs out, but I guess that is less of an issue if the two cards are in fact one!

I really highly believe that vending machine payment, event access (eg major stadiums) and car parking WILL significantly improve the go card, perhaps equally so as monthly capping. In fact, these were some of my key recommendations from the consultation that I undertook with the support of many people on this forum http://www.scribd.com/doc/8001700/Fair-Fares-Survey-Analysis.

I'm still waiting on taxis though, which seem to be neglected component of the transportation system, despite health subsidies showing significant efficiencies and reduction in fraud by smart card use in other parts of the state!