Ministerial Statement: Go Card the best smartcard system in Australia

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
03/08/2010

Go Card the best smartcard system in Australia

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan has welcomed the independent Tourism and Transport Forum's assessment released today that go card is the best integrated ticketing system in Australia.

In the comprehensive "Smartcard Ticketing on public transport" report released today, TTF describe go card as "the best there is" and suggests other jurisdictions could learn from its successful implementation.

While Victoria is still in the early stages of rolling out its $1.3 billion Myki system and New South Wales has been sued by the proponents of its original failed system, Queensland has successfully rolled out a comprehensive go card system across a bus, train and ferry network covering one of the geographically largest public transport systems in the world.

Having commenced full scale operation in July 2008, 1.3 million go cards issued and two thirds of the region's daily public transport trips are taken using a go card.

"The go card is now part of South East Queensland lifestyle, whether you are a regular public transport user or not," Ms Nolan said.

"Last month we issued the one millionth go card, it has been used to take more than 130 million trips in just over two years and is used more than 450,000 times a day.

"Last week there were 2.52 million trips taken on go card - almost 200,000 more than the previous peak before the school holidays in June.

Ms Nolan said that the State Opposition's constant criticism of go card looked ridiculous in light of the TTF's independent assessment.

Just last week, the shadow transport spokeswoman issued a media released describing the go card as "plagued by problems, inefficiencies and failures" but here in the real world more than one million people have a go card and the success of the go card is being nationally recognised.

"Go card is a great system. For commuters it's simple and efficient and for TransLink it provides great travel data to better plan the network. Go Card is a central part of South East Queensland's public transport revolution," Ms Nolan said.

"Translink has also made a number of large and small enhancements, at the request of customers over the past six months."

Recent major enhancements to go card include:

·$20 pre-loaded go cards introduced in December 2009

·Off peak discounts for go card users were introduced in January 2009

·The go card retail network was expanded from 208 outlets to more than 500 between November 2009 and March 2010

·Almost 300,000 free go cards with $10 credit were distributed during June and July 2010.

"The addition of on-line adjustments and transfers, more visible readers at train stations, auto top-up options and go card fare machines at busway stations and bus interchanges show just how important customer feedback is to continue to drive a system like this forward."

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

[#Metro]

Is it just me or is there a pattern here? First David Hensher and now the TTF?
What about Perth and their smart rider card?

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Go Card ticketing system a national benchmark: transport forum

Go Card ticketing system a national benchmark: transport forum
August 3, 2010 - 12:26PM

South-east Queensland's electronic Go Card ticketing system is the benchmark for Australia and a similar system will be installed in Sydney, the nation's peak transport forum says.

Tourism and Transport Forum Managing Director Christopher Brown says other jurisdictions can learn from the successful implementation of smartcard ticketing across southeast Queensland's rail, bus and ferry networks.

"Our research has found that when it comes to integrated smartcard ticketing in Australia, the Go Card is the best there is, and other states are taking notice,'' Mr Brown says.

He says the NSW government recently signed Cubic Transportation Systems, the company responsible for the Go Card, to install a similar system in Sydney.

"Smartcard ticketing is the way forward and is essential for a modern, efficient and appealing public transport system,'' Mr Brown says.

AAP

[ozbob]

Unfortunate timing  ....  

--> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3032.msg31124#msg31124

[ozbob]

Go card with a myki fare structure!  Like to see that!!

[#Metro]

Tourism and Transport Forum Managing Director Christopher Brown says other jurisdictions can learn from the successful implementation of smartcard ticketing across southeast Queensland's rail, bus and ferry networks.

Hmmm... certainly lessons to be learned, like give out free go cards at the start of the promotion, not 4 years after. Make sure ticket machines are out on platforms before you go live, make sure your privacy policy explicitly says that people's journeys count as personal information and can be pulled up etc.

[Golliwog]

Tourism and Transport Forum Managing Director Christopher Brown says other jurisdictions can learn from the successful implementation of smartcard ticketing across southeast Queensland's rail, bus and ferry networks.

Hmmm... certainly lessons to be learned, like give out free go cards at the start of the promotion, not 4 years after. Make sure ticket machines are out on platforms before you go live, make sure your privacy policy explicitly says that people's journeys count as personal information and can be pulled up etc.

I think your last issue is such a non-issue it's not even funny anymore. And yes there have been flaws in how they have implemented the go card, but definately not as many as there could have been, and I would much rather have the card and have to put up with some teething issue than to have to still deal with paper tickets.

[#Metro]

I must say, today I received two free trips (Thank You TransLink!) courtesy of GoCard malfunctioning equipment.
And I still have 2 dead GoCards as well.

GoCard is good... when it works! Personally I think SmartRider is probably the best.
Too much spin going around. Not enough services making the rounds.

PS: Perth's smartrider card, you can pay for car parking at park and rides located at Interchanges.

[p858snake]

Best? It's not the worst.

[ozbob]

I have to disagree with the Tourism and Transport Forum  assessment.

Having used myki this past week, and regular user of the go card  I would score go card 8/10 and the myki 9/10.  The go card needs fare enhancements and the user interfaces are inferior to myki's user interface and fare structure.  The myki still has some sorting out but it will be a superior product to the go card.  Go card is to have some user interface upgrades and hopefully finally there might be some realistic fare enhancements.  But as it stands now, go card is NOT the best smart card system in Australia IMHO.

I have not used the system in Perth.  But by all reports it is a good system, and has good fare options too.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

7th August 2010

Greetings,

I was in Melbourne the past week and used the myki smart card on public transport.  I disagree with the Tourism and Transport Forum's assessment (1) of the Go card as best in Australia.

Having used myki this past week, and regular user of the go card  I would score go card 8/10 and the myki 9/10.  The go card needs fare enhancements and the user interfaces are inferior to myki's user interface and fare structure.  The myki still has some sorting out but it will be a superior product to the go card.  Go card is to have some user interface upgrades and hopefully finally there might be some realistic fare enhancements.  But as it stands now, go card is NOT the best smart card system in Australia IMHO.

I have not used the system in Perth.  But by all reports it is a good system, and has good fare options too.

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track

Melbourne Visit August 2010 --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4195.0

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

Minister for Transport
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
03/08/2010

Go Card the best smartcard system in Australia

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan has welcomed the independent Tourism and Transport Forum's assessment released today that go card is the best integrated ticketing system in Australia.

In the comprehensive "Smartcard Ticketing on public transport" report released today, TTF describe go card as "the best there is" and suggests other jurisdictions could learn from its successful implementation.

While Victoria is still in the early stages of rolling out its $1.3 billion Myki system and New South Wales has been sued by the proponents of its original failed system, Queensland has successfully rolled out a comprehensive go card system across a bus, train and ferry network covering one of the geographically largest public transport systems in the world.

Having commenced full scale operation in July 2008, 1.3 million go cards issued and two thirds of the region's daily public transport trips are taken using a go card.

"The go card is now part of South East Queensland lifestyle, whether you are a regular public transport user or not," Ms Nolan said.

"Last month we issued the one millionth go card, it has been used to take more than 130 million trips in just over two years and is used more than 450,000 times a day.

"Last week there were 2.52 million trips taken on go card - almost 200,000 more than the previous peak before the school holidays in June.

Ms Nolan said that the State Opposition's constant criticism of go card looked ridiculous in light of the TTF's independent assessment.

Just last week, the shadow transport spokeswoman issued a media released describing the go card as "plagued by problems, inefficiencies and failures" but here in the real world more than one million people have a go card and the success of the go card is being nationally recognised.

"Go card is a great system. For commuters it's simple and efficient and for TransLink it provides great travel data to better plan the network. Go Card is a central part of South East Queensland's public transport revolution," Ms Nolan said.

"Translink has also made a number of large and small enhancements, at the request of customers over the past six months."

Recent major enhancements to go card include:

·$20 pre-loaded go cards introduced in December 2009

·Off peak discounts for go card users were introduced in January 2009

·The go card retail network was expanded from 208 outlets to more than 500 between November 2009 and March 2010

·Almost 300,000 free go cards with $10 credit were distributed during June and July 2010.

"The addition of on-line adjustments and transfers, more visible readers at train stations, auto top-up options and go card fare machines at busway stations and bus interchanges show just how important customer feedback is to continue to drive a system like this forward."

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

[mufreight]

The systems in both Melbourne and Perth have not only worked better than the GO card system in use here but they have been introduced at significantly lower cost.

[ozbob]

Perth was, Melbourne is a much greater cost, but it is a statewide system.   Myki will be used on all public transport throughout Victoria eventually.

[somebody]

The systems in both Melbourne and Perth have not only worked better than the GO card system in use here but they have been introduced at significantly lower cost.

Other than the lack of capping, the ability to "Cancel touch on" at a bus's rear reader and the fixed fare problems, are there any other reasons for you to knock go card?

I'm interested if the other systems improve on the last two points.

[mufreight]

They both were introduced into service with systems that were considerably more reliable, user friendly and with better fare structures that encourage PT usage, backed up by responsive call centres that provide accurate information rather than as is the case here all too frequently misinformation and responds to complaints far quicker and more reliably.

[#Metro]

Thinking about it, maybe Myki is better?
Would this happen on GoCard?

A commuter made repeated attempts to have a top-up applied to his myki card. He was eventually offered a replacement card with the top up, which he accepted, but the commuter also sought a small amount of compensation – $10 – for his time and effort in resolving the complaint.

During our investigation, TTA apologised to the commuter for his inconvenience, and explained the reasons for the delay in the top-up. The PTO also asked for a response to the commuter's request for compensation; we noted our position statement for delayed responses to complaints, which recommends that an explanation and apology be given where complaint responses are delayed, and that a public transport operator also considers a goodwill gesture. TTA agreed to the commuter's request and paid the compensation as a goodwill gesture to his myki account, resolving the complaint.

Do you think you would be paid $10 compensation with GoCard complaints?
And in Melbourne, if your train is late consistently, you can claim compo as well.

http://www.ptovic.com.au/documents/PTOOverviewNewsletterEd5-Jun10.pdf

[colinw]

The systems in both Melbourne and Perth have not only worked better than the GO card system in use here but they have been introduced at significantly lower cost.

Eh?  $494 million for Myki vs. $134 million for Go Card.

I agree that Go Card has some problems.  The readers that are out in the open at my local station are bordering on impossible to read when in full sun.

And as for the fare structure ...

[ozbob]

The myki fare structure --> http://www.myki.com.au/Fares/default.aspx

The myki will drive massive public transport utilisation.  Myki money and myki pass,  capping and periodical options.


It is embarrassing, the go card fare structure in comparison ..

[somebody]

It is embarrassing, the go card fare structure in comparison ..

I don't agree with this.

[ozbob]

We agree to disagree then.  

The myki fare structure has a fare structure which replicates the go card essentially, myki money, and has the periodical options that many commuters want, myki pass.  This is the fare structure of most other smart card systems.  This sort of fare structure encourages maximum utilisation of the public transport, particularly above 10 journeys a week. This leads to considerable benefits overall and is why most fare structures are that way.  The majority of people are not happy with the go card fare structure.  The various groups have all made representations to this effect.  TransLink have indicated there will be further fare enhancements.  

Myki

myki money fares


    * 2 hour (unlimited train, tram and bus travel for 2 hours)
    * Daily (unlimited train, tram and bus travel for the day)
    * Weekend daily cap (full fare and concession myki holders can travel in Zone 1 and 2 on a Saturday or Sunday for $3.00).
    * Early Bird Travel – free travel on electrified Melbourne train services when you touch on and off before 7.00 am on business days.
    * Seniors daily cap – seniors myki holders will pay no more than $3.30 per day for travel within Zones 1 and 2.

myki pass fares

myki pass is based on the current periodical ticket pricing.  You can select between 7 consecutive days or between 28 and 365 days. When you choose 365 day pass you only pay for 325 days. You can even use your myki money to buy a myki pass.

I think a daily cap - highest zone journey in a (24 hour period x 2) + daily loading say 30%, and a periodical weekly equivalent to 10 peak fares for zones would do it. It is better to have spare capacity used outside the peaks and weekends as more revenue overall.

A Seniors cap could be set at something like $4.

[somebody]

We agree to disagree then. 

Yes, probably.

My issues with the Go Card fare structure are:
The flagfall is far too high
The off peak discount is far too weak.

I suppose I can accept the notion of "Seniors' Sundays" or even every day.  Probably so long as this concessional travel is occurring off peak.  It isn't very nice to not be able to leave the house as you can't afford the fare!

[ozbob]

I suppose I can accept the notion of "Seniors' Sundays" or even every day.  Probably so long as this concessional travel is occurring off peak.  It isn't very nice to not be able to leave the house as you can't afford the fare!

Yes, this a major concern for me the restriction of travel that many Seniors are now enduring. Have received a lot of feedback on this. One lady sent a 4 page letter explaining how she has had to cut down on her bus trips from 3 a week to one.  It is that tight for many.  It is much better that they can get out and about.  Off peak is when they travel mainly so plenty of capacity.  Perth has free travel during off peak weekdays and weekends.  Melbourne will soon have free travel at weekends (Sundays now, Saturday as well soon). NSW has the PET $2.50 fare. The senior community in Qld would love free travel too no doubt, but weighing it up I think a capped fare on the go card will do the job for them.  Senior groups seem to accept that as well. Normal concession fare for a bus to and from the shops, but if they keep travelling during the day a cap is reached and they can move around a lot better.  Many of these folks don't have cars and are really dependent on public transport and other services that are available.

In the new environment that is post election 2010, maybe a combo deal?  Capped fare during the week and Saturdays and free travel on Sundays for Seniors red go card.  Not hard to do on the go card.