26 Apr 2010: SEQ: Conductors being removed from busway stations

[ozbob]

Media Release 26 April 2010

SEQ:  Conductors being removed from busway stations

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 bus commuters need to be aware that changes at bus stations with ticket machines will occur from Tuesday 27th April 2010.  Conductors will no longer be selling tickets at peak times (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Some of our members have raised concerns as to what bus commuters who are unable to purchase a ticket or top up a go card due to an AVVM (ticket) machine failure will do when conductors are no longer around considering that a number of bus stations are prepaid only at peak times.  Can they travel without a ticket?  It is an offence to travel without a ticket unless there is a reasonable excuse. Clearly if a person is unable to purchase a ticket due to a machine failure, and the fact that go cards cannot be topped up on Brisbane Transport buses there is the potential for passengers to be stranded.  Under these circumstances is it reasonable to travel without a ticket? This needs to be clarified by TransLink."

"A recent report of top-up failure with an AVVM further highlights the problem (2)."

"Clearly the best option is for commuters to obtain a go card, register it and activate auto-topup.  This overcomes most of these issues, however many people do not want to do that. During the transition from paper tickets to a 100% go card ticketing environment problems such as we have described need to considered in an empathetic manner by TransLink and Transit Officers."

References:

1.  http://www.translink.com.au/servicechange.php?id=569

2.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3749.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[justanotheruser]

A AVVM not working is an acceptable excuse. I don't know if your expected to try all AVVM's within reason however (within reason being at a busway one should only need to try one end if machines are at both ends like king georges square station). Often a ticket inspector will ask which machine claiming that they can get it looked at however that can be monitored already so I would suggest they ask so they can check if the machine was out of order. One needs to know which platform they were on and is asked which specific machine.

[Golliwog]

Is there a list anywhere of which stations (both railway and bus) that have AVVMs and how many are at each?

[ozbob]

Discussion --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3742.0

[ozbob]

@ Golliwog

Click here!

[Golliwog]

Cheers.