Article: Fare evasion an easy touch

[ozbob]

Senior Network Officers - TransLink staff, dark uniforms.

Transit Officers - Queensland Rail staff, white shirts.

Not really sure if the mX means SNOs or TOs ....

[somebody]

Senior Network Officers - TransLink staff, dark uniforms.

Transit Officers - Queensland Rail staff, white shirts.

Not really sure if the mX means SNOs or TOs ....

If TL are quoted as saying they want to hire more, then it would be SNOs.

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail 28th October 2011 page 19

Transit officers find targets off the rails

[p858snake]

Might explain why I've actually seen them on the network recently... I've been checked at least 5 times in the last fortnight... That was generally my yearly average when travelling every day for TAFE (now I seldom-ly catch)

[SurfRail]

I'm ambivalent about quotas.  If it encourages them to actually travel the network and focus on known areas of fare evasion, good on them.  

I still think we have too many levels of staff involved in operations.  The Perth model has:

-   Driver (DOO);
-   Station staff at busier stations (usually only at gated stations, of which they have a higher proportion than us);
-   Transit Officers, who patrol ALL evening trains and who have more effective training, legislated powers of detention etc; and
-   TransPerth security, who wander the network and respond to incidents.  (I am not 100% on the distinction between these guys and the Transit Officers).

By contrast, we have:
-   Driver
-   Guard
-   Station staff
-   QR-employed TTOs
-   TransLink employed SNOs
-   Private security wandering only selected trains
-   Private security who wander the network, sometimes with dogs.

By moving to a single, properly regulated system of Transit Officers like Perth has, we could actually have some better safety and revenue protection.  (I won't start the DOO debate again here...)

[longboi]

I'm ambivalent about quotas.  If it encourages them to actually travel the network and focus on known areas of fare evasion, good on them.  

I still think we have too many levels of staff involved in operations.  The Perth model has:

-   Driver (DOO);
-   Station staff at busier stations (usually only at gated stations, of which they have a higher proportion than us);
-   Transit Officers, who patrol ALL evening trains and who have more effective training, legislated powers of detention etc; and
-   TransPerth security, who wander the network and respond to incidents.  (I am not 100% on the distinction between these guys and the Transit Officers).

By contrast, we have:
-   Driver
-   Guard
-   Station staff
-   QR-employed TTOs
-   TransLink employed SNOs
-   Private security wandering only selected trains
-   Private security who wander the network, sometimes with dogs.

By moving to a single, properly regulated system of Transit Officers like Perth has, we could actually have some better safety and revenue protection.  (I won't start the DOO debate again here...)

I think the QR-employed TOs will slowly disappear as more SNOs come onto the network. I know that Translink aren't impressed with them and they are only still around mostly because of union pressure.

You list two types of private security, however they are doing the same job. Some are on stations, some are on trains.

[Fares_Fair]

A TO (white shirt) told me that TRANSLink were trying to remove them from Queensland Rail and use their own (dark blue shirt) SNO 'ticketies'.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

30th October 2011

Go card conditions of use and consequences of not sorting

Greetings,

RAIL Back On Track supports efforts to reduce fare evasion.  What does concern us however is the lack of proper conditions of use of the go card, which we have highlighted previously.

It has been revealed by the Couriermail ( Couriermail 28th October 2011 page 19 Transit officers find targets off the rails) that Transit Officers, and presumably Senior Network Officers, are being asked to meet 'average' performance targets with respect to fare evasion.  This might well lead to over zealous attempts to meet 'average' performance levels unless go card users can have confidence that they will not be harassed for system failures.

Recent events have suggested that go card users are being treated as ' potential fare evaders ' even though they have done the correct thing however.  A recent go card user who, having touched on correctly, was threatened with a formal warning because an onboard TO could not read their go card with a mobile reader.  Why should go card users, having done the correct thing be threatened with a formal warning, and hence have a record, when it is the fault either of the reader or go card?  This is hardly constructive is it?

Another time a go card user, correctly using their go card which was presented for inspection on board again failed to read on the mobile reader. In this case the user was escorted to the fare gates at their destination station  and made to demonstrate that they had in fact touched on when they commenced their trip, which the user did.  This raises the question  - is this harassment or possibly an illegal detention?

Is there a looming problem with mobile card readers and go cards?  Does this mean that citizens who are paying and using their go card correctly are going to be treated as criminals?

In all comes back to the conditions of use of the go card, which we have requested for years to be fixed.

Simply not good enough TransLink, Government and Opposition.

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

====================

Media release 22 September 2011 re-released 29 September 2011

SEQ: Urgent actions needed with public transport ticketing

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has again called for urgent actions to address the conditions of use of the go card, actions to improve the fare structure and for improvements in the go card equipment (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The recent Brisbane Exhibition public transport ticketing meltdown was a turning point. It is unacceptable to pretend all is well with the present ticketing system on our public transport.  Recent feedback to Brisbane media has again indicated that there is a significant proportion of users that are having real issues with the go card (1).  If they abandon the go card they are punished with high cost time limited paper single tickets as the only general option."

"The conditions of use for the go card need expansion (2). Suggested improvements are listed below."

"The fare structure needs an overhaul.  Better incentives for maximising public transport use, particularly out of peak are needed."

"Equipment that is difficult to use because of moisture, glare, poor positioning and inaudible beeps needs fixing.  The pilot readers on trial at Oxley are certainly better than the present readers. These should be rolled out where users are having problems because of positioning of readers at certain locations at a minimum (3)."

"The system software for go card should be upgraded to including the capability of automatically adjusting fixed fares for regular users where there are isolated fixed fares.  This has been recently implemented for the Oyster Card in London, a similar product to the Go card (4)."

"Frankly, the public doesn't want any more 'go spin' what is needed is decisive action today!"

References:

1. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/thousands-fall-victim-to-default-go-card-fares-20110919-1kgey.html

2. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6583.0

3. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4314.0

4. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6690.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org


Suggested conditions of use for go card

The go card system is dependent on technology but we recognise that sometimes it fails.  Go card users are assured that providing they are using their go card in good faith, they do not have to fear that they will be regarded as a fare evader and warned or fined should they not be able to touch on in the following circumstances:

1.  You have credit on your card go card or auto-top up is activated.

2.  On a bus or ferry if you are not able to touch on because of equipment failure the driver or crew will wave you on.  Do not touch off when you leave that bus or ferry.  You can travel for free.

3.  If go card readers have failed on your platform of departure at railway station (or concourse as appropriate) you can travel for your trip for free. Do not touch off at the completion of your trip.

4.  If your go card fails, the bus driver or crew person will take the number of your go card. You are permitted to complete your journey for free but you need to take steps to obtain a new go card.  A central register of failed go card numbers is maintained and if you continue to use a failed go card you may be warned or fined.  If unable to touch on at railway station because of a go card failure complete your journey, but obtain a new go card.  If you pass through an attended fare gate the railway staff will take note of your go card number.

5.  It is not possible to list all the other miscellaneous causes of a go card touch failure, however providing you have credit on your go card and/or auto-topup activated and you are acting in good faith, you are permitted to complete your journey.

6.  If you are not able to use a go card because of a significant permanent physical or intellectual disability you may be entitled to a TransLink Access Pass.  See --> http://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/other-tickets/special-access-passes/translink-access-pass

[mufreight]

If the actual Go card has failed but the account for that card is in credit it should be the responsibility of Translink to provide the card holder with a replacement card at no further cost to the card holder.

[dwb]

If the actual Go card has failed but the account for that card is in credit it should be the responsibility of Translink to provide the card holder with a replacement card at no further cost to the card holder.

Wait you think people should travel free while they wait for one in the post?
HOw are you going to know that they haven't sabotaged the card?
Is it really that hard to just pop by the shop and get another? They transfer balances you know...

[Fares_Fair]

If the actual Go card has failed but the account for that card is in credit it should be the responsibility of Translink to provide the card holder with a replacement card at no further cost to the card holder.

+1
mufreight is right.
As the provider of the Go card, they have a responsibility under what is accepted as fair trade rules, to ensure their product is suitable or at the very minimum guaranteed for a particular length of time. The card is not owned by the holder under the rules but remains the property of TransLink and is not transferable.
You can't have it both ways.
This should NOT be at the cost of the Go card holder.

@dwb
They could be instructed to exchange it for a working one at any given location.
Any attempted sabotage of the card may be (or may not possibly) apparent at an inspection point.
Transfer can be effected at the inspection point.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[HappyTrainGuy]

The user also has the responsibility to ensure that they look after and properly maintain their GoCard.

Damaged or faulty cards
Your card is durable and comes with a three year warranty for manufacturing defects. Your card is not covered by warranty if:
• it has been hole punched
• it has been in contact with water
• any other instance of misuse or damage.

[somebody]

Sorry, but the system where the balance, including the deposit, can be transferred to a new card already exists.  In fact, it can be done online so long as you register the card(s).  The notion of free travel while one waits for a new card in the post is absurd, of course.

Not sure what systems you expect them to provide beyond what is already present.  Perhaps the ability to buy a card on the bus but other than that it seems pretty reasonable as is.