Ticket machines currently being installed on the busway stations!!!)

[Andrew]

No this is not a misprint...

Although not yet operational (I suspect waiting on the usual Capt. Bligh et al puff piece media release with the magic words for them to switch on ), they have installed machines at Cultural Centre IB, Mater Hill OB and Buranda IB with one being delivered today to Mater Hill it appears.  The truck had at least a half dozen ticket machines in the back.  Enough to make one salivate.  Anyways...will try to keep you posted as I see more.

I also move that Bob call on his mystical power of the elements and steal Nolan's thunder (  ) and shoot out a media release ASAP.   

[O_128]

Are they the same "ergonomic master" designs where an elderly person would be incapable of reaching down for change

[#Metro]

Wow! I can't believe it.
Someone must have really sunk the boot in.

Does anyone have photographic evidence? This is unbelievable. It must be seen to be believed.

[longboi]

Not sure if the ergonomics have improved but these new ones will dispense go cards:

Minister for Transport
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
13/01/2010

go card retail network hits 360

The 360th go card outlet will come on line tomorrow (Thursday) as go card patronage records continue to escalate across South East Queensland.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said an additional 55 train stations would sell go cards from tomorrow making the product available at all 123 manned train stations.

"These extra sites weren't due to come on line until March. I told TransLink to pull out all stops and I'm pleased that we've been able to deliver these early.

"In December 2009, there were already 209 outlets - plus over the phone or via the internet - selling go cards across South East Queensland and we've added over 150 more," Ms Nolan said.

"This means our smart card retail network is almost six times the size of any other state allowing it to meet demand for go cards, with 25,000 cards distributed last week and a further 9000 distributed on Monday and Tuesday this week.

"There were 227,354 trips taken across the network on Tuesday using a go card, an increase of almost 80 per cent on last year." [it was approximately 126,000 on Tuesday, January 13, 2009].

"It's been encouraging to see the way customers have been embracing the technology in large numbers."

Ms Nolan also announced that 17 new generation ticketing machines were currently being installed at busway stations and major bus interchanges across the network.

"These machines are undergoing final testing, and by the end of this month, for the first time, customers will be able to purchase an adult go card from one of these ticket machines.

"These machines will also issue paper tickets and allow customers to top up their go cards or check their travel history and balance.

"People may have already noticed the machines being installed in busway stations at Cultural Centre, Southbank, King George Square, Griffith University, Upper Mt Gravatt, Woolloongabba, Mater Hill, Buranda, RBWH and QUT Kelvin Grove, along with major interchanges at Chermside Shopping Centre and Garden City Shopping Centre, Upper Mt Gravatt.

"go cards are the most popular ticket in South East Queensland and customers will have a choice of purchasing them over the phone, over the internet, at a retail outlets, at train stations or from a ticket machine."

Ms Nolan said the helping hands staff would also continue to be stationed across the network to assist customers as they returned from their holidays, including staff at Sunshine Plaza (Maroochydore), Redbank Plaza and Bell St (Ipswich), and Pacific Fair (Gold Coast).

"We've had a lot of positive feedback from customers to our army of helping hands have moved around the network answering questions and providing feedback.

"If someone has difficulty accessing a retailer in person they can also use the website or call centre to order one."

A full list of retailers and top-up options are available at www.translink.com.au or by calling 13 12 30.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

14th January 2010

Greetings,

The news of the ticket machines finally being positioned for the bus stations and bus interchanges to allow for go card transactions is good news, as is the sudden focus on expanding distribution outlets for the go card.   Helping hands are needed, particularly for targeted groups such as seniors and off peak travellers as well. Thank you.

There are are number of issues that remain that are essentially cost neutral but would improve the overall ticketing environment considerably.

These issues need to be addressed forthwith in our opinion.

1.   Immediate amnesty for new users - no questions refunds for two user failures.

2.   Clarification of when users can travel for free when equipment down at rail stations.  Not practical or safe to expect users to check every reader at a rail station.  We suggest change that to when the equipment is not operational on platform of departure or concourse as appropriate.  It would be a disaster if someone gets a $200 fine as the result of go card equipment failure.

3.   Introduction of a web based form, print version with free post, and a call back service for mobile users, and a free call number for others for reimbursement adjustment claims and so forth.  This would save money for everyone!

4.  A genuine commitment to further fare enhancements publicly spelt out, to include capping and periodical ticketing options.  Myki is a stand out in this regard. The fare structure for the go card must be improved.

5.  Roll out of additional go card equipment at rail stations and bus stations as needed. Already reports of queuing at rail stations.  As numbers continue to surge this will become a major constant irritant and generate bad publicity unless addressed, and addressed quickly.

6.  A commitment and real policy of failed go card equipment to be fixed same day where possible, certainly within 24 hours at the most.
Go card equipment to be clearly signed when not operational.  The message that comes up on many readers 'seek assistance' is just confusing and misleading.

7.  Introduction of much needed rail services, eg. Sunshine Coast, Ipswich Rosewood peak pm gap  More rail sweepers and bus services as well particularly on the busways.  Promises won't do it, the public needs to see immediate improvements.

8.  Immediate distribution of the free go cards promised as part of the new fare strategy.

9.  Proper information and user displays set up where folks can see the equipment that is used and practise.  Similar as the myki displays in Melbourne, but need not be as grand.   Much better customer go card education programs.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track

[#Metro]

It is TRUE! I saw with my own two eyes one sitting at Cultural Centre (or was it South Bank?).
But they are NOT FUNCTIONAL yet.

Typical. What is the use if it is not functional!

[p858snake]

Based on nolans's press release, they are installing these things but they have yet to pass the testing phase? so we could end up with even more/worse junk on the network?

[#Metro]

The ticket machines are there. But you can't use them

Just brilliant! Its for publicity...

[ozbob]

From the past ...

http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1104.0

Media Release  1 July 2008

SEQ:  TransLink Transit Authority  time for action, ticket machines at major bus stations required

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport users has called on the TransLink Transit Authority to put in place ticket machines at major bus stations so that commuters can top up go cards and purchase tickets. This will also act as a further incentive for go card uptake.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Shortly Ten Trip Saver tickets will be completely phased out. The new fare structure recently announced for the go card will help encourage public transport commuters to make the switch to the go card.

"A problem for those commuters on Brisbane Transport buses who don?t have online access is that there are no ticket machines for them to top up their go cards at bus stations. Commuters are unable to top up their go cards on the Brisbane Transport buses.

"It would help if ticket machines were placed at the Cultural Centre Bus Station and at Griffith University Bus Station as soon as possible as these are high use stations.  In time all the major bus stations should have ticket machines in place.

"Not only will this facilitate management of users' go cards it will also allow for pre-purchase of tickets by non go card users, and thereby speeding up loading and bus running times.

"We need to make the use of public transport easy for the community. This includes making ticketing seamless and accessible."

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

We do try ...  

[verbatim9]

Wow was very surprised to see this at Indooroopilly Bus station today. A Go Card and Ticketing Machine Long time in waiting

[SurfRail]

There's one on the outbound platform at the Cultural Centre under the staircase.  I have absolutely no idea how long it has been there, or why for that matter - not signposted, and you would only notice it coming out of the lift (where you would have already passed one).

[verbatim9]

The machines in these locations mentioned must of been installed in recent weeks. Wonder what other locations have been upgraded with Go Card Ticketing machines?

It's all good news regardless

[Derwan]

I wonder if these machines will be able to be used for next gen ticketing - otherwise what's the point in rolling them out now?  We've survived this long without them.

[verbatim9]

Next Gen Ticketing still a 2-3 year phase in right? Even with potentially Next Generation ticketing not requiring them it's good that they are there.

(The Indooroopilly Bus station previously was an issue. You either needed to walk 8-10mins to the train station or go inside the Shopping Centre to find the one and only Newsagent that could do Top ups, which didn't accept credit cards).