over charging on ticket machines

[justanotheruser]

I recently asked for an off-peak daily on a bus one SATURDAY. The driver printed a ticket and quoted the daily price. Thankfully as a regular user I knew the price was wrong and repeated that I wanted an off-peak not a daily. Why is it that ticket machines on buses and at train stations do not automatically prevent daily tickets from being sold on a weekend?? The day is printed on the ticket so it would be simple to program the machines to prevent this error. When I asked a QR worker they said they had mentioned this problem to Translink. Translinks response apparently was that it is up to passengers to make sure they ask for the correct ticket.

This is unfair on those who do not use public transport on a regular basis. It is also unfair on older people who often assume that what they are told is correct. Translink says there is plenty of information on their website so people can purchase the correct tickets. The problem with this is the most recent figures I have seen for internet connections at residential dwellings fall far short of total population. If we are expected to view the website to get the information perhaps they should pay our internet access fees.Alot of older people once again are not as skilled with computers as younger people. it is those who can least afford it (pensioners etc) who are likely to be ripped off because Translink deliberately refuse to prevent this. One can only assume people will pay the higher price and therefore they get more money.

I urge people to write and complain about this. I currently don't have internet access at home so perhaps somebody else could find relevant contact details for the Minister, Premier and Translink. (I'm not supposed to go into forums on this computer but felt I had to bring this issue to light)

[ozbob]

G'day,

We have been raising this issue ever since the new ticket machines (AVMMs) were rolled out to replace the old TVMs.  The TVMs used to default to off peak at weekends.  Now it is buyer beware, appalling but that is the mindset now apparently at TL and George St.

We will continue to educate public transport users of the options.

Thanks for your comments,  a timely reminder and important issue.

Cheers
Bob

[STB]

The last time I used an AVVM, they do.  It appears as an error of 'Ticket not available' or something along those lines.  Will try it again this weekend to double check.

[WTN]

I've heard about reports from a friend about people buying daily tickets on a weekend and there were bus drivers that simply sold them without a word of warning.  I did this years ago (for the first time) before I knew about offpeak ticketing and I was pleasantly surprised the driver sold me a cheaper offpeak instead.  Has this sort of service gone down the gutter?

[ozbob]

Yes you can get off peak tickets from the AVVM but you need to actively select that option STB.  This is particularly relevant on weekends and some casual users do NOT know that they can get an off peak at weekends.  The TVMs used to default to off peak at weekends, the new AVVMs don't, and most casual punters pay a higher fare when in actual fact they can select off peak if they are 'switched on'.  Similarly some bus drivers on weekends don't give off peak daily unless requested ...    

[ozbob]

Media Release 24 July 2009

SEQ:  Public transport users need to actively indicate off peak when purchasing paper tickets

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has said that TransLink ticket buyers need to actively select or indicate 'off peak' to obtain those discount tickets.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Reports and feedback received at RAIL Back On Track indicates that TransLink patrons are not being offered off peak tickets at weekends unless they either select that option when using the new ticket machines, or indicate to a ticket seller or bus driver that is what they want."

"An off peak daily ticket offers discounted unlimited travel between 9am and 3.30pm and after 7pm on normal work days, and all day on weekends and gazetted public holidays, within the zones printed on the ticket (1).  The old ticket machines used to default to off peak on weekends but the new ticket machines do not.  Patrons must actively select or indicate that they require an off peak ticket."

"Casual users are generally not aware of this option, so a reminder to all is timely."

"We would like to see a more proactive approach in alerting public transport users to this option.  This endears positive community spirit and encourages further utilisation of our public transport, with the broad benefits for the community."

"Further more, to encourage uptake and continued use of the go card it would be logical to offer early, late and off peak discounts and capping that matches or betters paper ticket options for those patrons using the go card (2)."

References:

1.   http://www.translink.com.au/tickets.php

2.   http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2301.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[brismike]

So seeing as Translink don't seem to give a stuff about this . . why are they there in the first place? 

What usefull purpose do they actually serve? Do they care about customers who use public transport? 

I don't see the point in Translink seeing as they are useless. 

[justanotheruser]

I actually asked for an off-peak ticket from a driver and despite juggling a grumpy toddler and carrying bags while trying to pay for the ticket I did pick up on the fact that he was charging me for a daily ticket despite it being a weekend. So even asking for the correct ticket is no guarentee that you will get what you asked for!

[STB]

Tried to select the Daily ticket from the AVVM this afternoon and what happens is that when after you select Daily, then ticket type (Adult, Child), then your destination, instead of telling you to put your money in, it comes up with a message 'Ticket type not available at this time'.

I guess it's a case of 'I wish you told me this before I pressed all these options'.