Article: Casual commuters ask, what's the Go?

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Casual commuters ask, what's the Go?

Casual commuters ask, what's the Go?
Daniel Hurst
September 24, 2010 - 5:50AM

The travelling public is still being kept in the dark about the special transport cards being developed for casual bus, train and ferry users once paper tickets are scrapped.

With just three months left until old-fashioned tickets are due to be ditched in south-east Queensland, worried tourism and transport lobby groups have questioned why a tourist-friendly alternative to the Go Card is yet to be unveiled.

There were signs last night that the end-of-the-year deadline for going paperless may be shaky, with Transport Minister Rachel Nolan's office declining to say if the timeframe would be met.

Robert Dow, from commuter group Rail Back on Track, said he had concerns the changeover would not happen on time as more than a third of trips still involved conventional tickets.

''Three months out from the phase-out of paper, with [Go Card] usage at 63 per cent, we're concerned about what will happen at the end of the year,'' he said.

''What's going to happen for tourists, what's going to happen for the occasional users?''

While Go Card usage has increased dramatically over the past year, the cards require a $5 deposit and $5 issuing fee and are not considered ideal for tourists or occasional users.

In January, Translink told brisbanetimes.com.au it was working with tourism and business organisations to develop ''the most appropriate product'' for occasional transport users.

At the time, Translink was unable to provide details on the special limited-life Go Card product but insisted it would be rolled out ''well in advance'' of the paperless changeover.

With that deadline rapidly approaching, there was still no clarity on the details yesterday.

Ms Nolan's spokeswoman said a new option would be available for occasional and infrequent travellers as part of moves to the paperless system.

''Any changes will be communicated well in advance to the public by Translink,'' she said.

Ms Nolan's office did not answer questions about whether the deadline for scrapping paper tickets still applied.

However, Translink pointed to its five-year fare plan, announced nearly 12 months ago, which showed conventional tickets would no longer be sold in January 2011.

A Translink spokesman said the strategy would continue to maximise Go Card benefits such as more efficient boarding, while ensuring there was an alternative ticket for occasional users.

Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Daniel Gschwind said he had not yet heard any details or been consulted about the proposed tourist-friendly Go Card Lite.

Mr Gschwind said the public transport system needed to be accessible to the 900,000 international and four million domestic visitors who stayed in Brisbane every year.

''We're getting very close [to the paperless system] and we would hope these things are announced very soon and made clear very soon,'' he said.

''Clearly a solution is required and one that's communicated well in advance.''

Opposition transport spokeswoman Fiona Simpson said the paperless switch could be ''chaotic'' if an alternative was not rolled out soon and better fare structures put in place.

''I have major concerns about them stopping paper tickets given we haven't seen hair or hide of the alternative,'' she said.

''It's time that they actually told us what the alternative is and where is it?

''It should not be some deep dark secret of government.''

The special limited-life Go Card is expected to be deposit-free but the fare structure has not yet been released.

Council on the Ageing Queensland chief executive Mark Tucker-Evans said he was ''not overly concerned'' about the fact Translink was still working through the details.

Mr Tucker-Evans said he expected the transport community reference group he was involved in would soon discuss the new product in detail.

But Mr Dow said users, tourism organisations and retail outlets would need time to get used to the new product, which should be accompanied by a public education campaign about the loss of paper tickets.

''We're concerned because time's running out,'' he said. ''It's time to start moving.''

[#Metro]

PR disaster ahead...

So much to do, so little time:

* Major ferry stops should get ticketing machines.
Ferries run late into the night and are often located away from retailers etc.

* More ticketing machines are required at major locations around Brisbane

* The tourist issue needs to be dealt with

* More readers are required at many rail stations to prevent queuing.

* Fare capping to make the system easier to market and dispel the idea that the GoCard is more expensive than the paper ticket.

[ozbob]

Well written and researched article from Brisbanetimes.   

Yes TT, much to be done ...   

[#Metro]

Reading some of the Brisbane Times comments...

All hell seems to be set to break loose come January 2011, as not only the paper tickets are withdrawn (which will inevitably cause short term problems) but the fares will then increase by 15% (will the number of weekly seats on the network increase by 15% also?).

Perhaps the phase out should happen earlier- late November so that problems are run into earlier and can be cleared before
the ticket prices increase. A staged withdrawal could also occur.

I actually don't think GoCard is bad at all, and I look forward to going paperless.
But without the proper fare structure, people who use paper tickets to avoid paying for all day multiple trips will be hit.
The 15% price increase I am not against, on the condition that the services (particularly rail) sees major improvement.

Courier-Mail is going to have a carnival! I can just see the headlines right now...

[Golliwog]

I don't see what the problem with only having the standard go card is (so long as they have some form of daily cap or periodical option implemented). When I went to London, I used the paper tickets for the first few days, but it was a bit of a hassel to have to go buy a ticket each day so I just paid the 5 pound deposit for an Oyster card and used that. I still have the Oyster card as I may one day return to London and use it again. Or a friend might and I can lend it to them. At the end of the day, a go card only costs a $10 deposit (which you can get back if you return the card) and as I understand it, the card never expires (except student cards obviously). Just keep the card in you wallet/purse for whenever you may need it.

[somebody]

I still think retaining singles is the go.  As you suggest, the hassle of having to buy them, as well as the financial penalty should make it not that much of a problem.

[Golliwog]

I don't think so. For tourists, when I flew back to Brisbane from London, as we came into both Sydney and Brisbane, they played a 5-10 minute info video about each city. It wouldn't take much to put a bit in there towards the start about the go card and say you can get one from the train station at the airport or have one of the shops in the arrivals lounge sell them.

The issue with retaining singles is it means you can't seal off the outer stations like Central is now for go card only as its not going to be worth the cost of keeping someone standing by the gates all day.

[somebody]

Someone has to stand or sit there anyway to deter people from just jumping the gate.

I suspect most of the people still using paper are doing so due to weeklies/monthlies.

[Golliwog]

I suspect most of the people still using paper are doing so due to weeklies/monthlies.

Totally agree there. Heres hoping they bring out some form of periodical on the go card by the end of the year.

As for gate jumpers, I don't think you'd have to many doing that, most people aren't that spry. IMO I also think those that are going to bother jumping a gate just to avoid paying a small fare are those who religiously don't pay for tickets anywhere (so if you put someone on the gate, would probably take to jumping a fence or the tracks), but it also makes it a lot harder for people to avoid the TO's as previously they could just hop off and pretend like they're just waiting at the station for someone, but once the stations are "sealed" a TO would be able to check their card and if they don't have one give a fine/warning.

[Jonno]

I don't see what the problem with only having the standard go card is (so long as they have some form of daily cap or periodical option implemented). When I went to London, I used the paper tickets for the first few days, but it was a bit of a hassel to have to go buy a ticket each day so I just paid the 5 pound deposit for an Oyster card and used that. I still have the Oyster card as I may one day return to London and use it again. Or a friend might and I can lend it to them. At the end of the day, a go card only costs a $10 deposit (which you can get back if you return the card) and as I understand it, the card never expires (except student cards obviously). Just keep the card in you wallet/purse for whenever you may need it.

In Singapore they have refund vending machines as well where you insert your card and the refund is returned.  Very easy.

The key issues are:

1. is there a Visitor Card that allows all day travel within the inner city zones, etc.  We would all like that
2. are Hotels, Hostels and Tourist Information centres ready to sell them/provide refunds

[AnonymouslyBad]

There doesn't seem to have ever been any real indication that the January 2011 deadline is going to be met in practice. I think the chances of paper tickets actually being removed from sale at the end of this year are virtually zero.

I still don't really understand how this "limited life" go card product would work. If it's actually just going to be a go card, all they need to do is make it easier to get a go card and perhaps include a couple of special fare options. If it's going to be a new "disposable" product, then that's not really any different to paper tickets..?

[ozbob]

I have thinking about this Go card lite a bit lately.  I am not sure if it will work as intended, should it be introduced unless there are fare incentives relative to the go card lite for regular go cards.  What is stopping non-tourists etc. from adopting this new product?  Nothing really.  If we had capping and periodical options for example, I would expect that would be only available through normal go cards.  Periodical options would most likely require registered go cards as well to be able to select the various options for periodical ticketing I would expect.  Go card lite would be an unregistered product.  It would be particularly prone to 'failure to touch off' travel abuse as well.

These considerations may be impacting on the failure to introduce an alternative product?  Is it possible that paper tickets out of the AVVMs will actually be continued?   Many questions and more no doubt to come.

There are clearly many issues to resolve ..

[ozbob]

A bit behind schedule? We are halfway through the second half ..

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

From the ABC News click here!

Tourist Go Card slated for mid-year kick-off

Posted Wed Jan 13, 2010 1:21pm AEDT

Translink says it hopes to rollout a new Go Card for tourists by the second half of the year.

It is also developing a seniors Go Card as part of a move to switch to a paperless transport ticket system by 2011.

Translink spokesperson Andrew Bergman says the short-term tourist Go Cards will be available at airports and tourist destinations as well as online.

"One of the groups that are really important to us as we move towards a paperless, ticketless system are the transient population, particularly tourists," he said.

"So what we'll do is develop a limited-life Go Card, or a disposable Go Card.

"A Go Card that you can pick up at tourist destinations, at airports as you enter the region or at train stations, which you can use for a day or a couple of days and that will be perfect for those people who are really occasional users or visitors to our area."

[ozbob]

Limited use go cards are an off the shelf item.   What's the hassle?

================
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/eAccess-LLC-to-Supply-Smart-Cards-to-PATH-NYSE-CUB-1297246.htm


SOURCE: Cubic Corporation

Jul 29, 2010 07:00 ET
eAccess LLC to Supply Smart Cards to PATH

SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire - July 29, 2010) -  eAccess LLC, a Cubic Corporation (NYSE: CUB) subsidiary that supplies smart card products, RFID solutions and services, will deliver 1 million smart cards to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PATH) under a new three-year-contract.

eAccess will deliver a substantial quantity of Limited Use Contactless Smart Cards later this summer. The cards will be packaged with a secure RFID shield for convenient storage and retail handling, and will be sold through retail kiosks at various PATH stations.

"The eAccess Limited Use smart card allows transit riders who have been using paper magnetic tickets to switch to cutting-edge contactless technology," said Paul Orloff, director of marketing for eAccess for the Eastern region. "This will ensure a consistent and efficient experience for transit patrons by reducing the time they spend at fare gates. Our cards use the most advanced, proven technology available, and complement the successful SmartLink℠ contactless full-featured smart card already used by many transit riders in the New York/New Jersey area."

The new cards meet the ANSI 410 standard adopted by the American National Standards Institute, as well as ISO/IEC 14443 compliance. ANSI 410 has accelerated the use of Limited Use cards among public transit agencies and systems integrators. There are well over 650 million Limited Use smart cards being issued by transit agencies around the world. eAccess' advanced production techniques allow standard-format cards to be manufactured on a quick-turn basis at prices comparable to the magnetic-stripe tickets. Many agencies use them for single-trip, multiple-trip, daily, weekly and monthly passes.

PATH is a new customer for eAccess, but a long-term existing customer for its parent company, Cubic Corporation. Other U.S. cities that have used eAccess smart card products include Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Miami and Minneapolis, as well as many international customers.

"eAccess is pleased to have the opportunity to showcase our strong smart card and RFID experience in the heavily transit-populated Eastern corridor," Orloff said. "eAccess provides an array of RFID products and services, including building access and security ID consulting services, along with smart card design production, supply and services."

eAccess is part of Cubic Corporation. Cubic Corporation is the parent company of three major business segments: Defense Systems, Mission Support Services and Transportation Systems. Cubic Defense Systems is a leading provider of realistic combat training systems, cyber technologies, asset tracking solutions, and defense electronics. Mission Support Services is a leading provider of training, operations, maintenance, technical and other support services. Cubic Transportation Systems is the world's leading provider of automated fare collection systems and services for public transit authorities. For more information about Cubic, see the company's Web site at www.cubic.com.

[ozbob]

A bit behind schedule? We are halfway through the second half ..

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

From the ABC News click here!

Tourist Go Card slated for mid-year kick-off

Posted Wed Jan 13, 2010 1:21pm AEDT

Translink says it hopes to rollout a new Go Card for tourists by the second half of the year.

It is also developing a seniors Go Card as part of a move to switch to a paperless transport ticket system by 2011.

Translink spokesperson Andrew Bergman says the short-term tourist Go Cards will be available at airports and tourist destinations as well as online.

"One of the groups that are really important to us as we move towards a paperless, ticketless system are the transient population, particularly tourists," he said.

"So what we'll do is develop a limited-life Go Card, or a disposable Go Card.

"A Go Card that you can pick up at tourist destinations, at airports as you enter the region or at train stations, which you can use for a day or a couple of days and that will be perfect for those people who are really occasional users or visitors to our area."

Melbourne has done it ... --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=655.msg98189#msg98189  a tourist myki, normal myki but optimised for tourists and visitors ...

[Stillwater]

lol, a "a promise of those not to be trusted Laborites that were the former government, nothing to do with us"

[somebody]

Well the question is, why is it needed?  Just sell go cards on buses and you can remove paper.  No other changes needed, although topping up on buses is a possibility.

[techblitz]

I definitely like the idea of having gocards readily available at airports.But will it be from the train station only or?
Perhaps have them for sale at a booth inside the airport terminal lounges/deboarding area as this allows passengers wishing to utilise the free bus service to dfo to grab a temp gocard instead of having to walk to the airtrain station to get one. And translink would need to get some posters up around the airport to advertise the service to tourists. Translinks poster advertising leaves a little to be desired sometimes.

[somebody]

Go cards are already on sale at Airport Domestic and International stations.  You can process a refund there also.

http://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/go-card/locations/search?service=any&region=any&suburb[]=Airport+%28Brisbane%29&cardType=any&submitButton=Search+retailers

Gold Coast Airport is the major bit still lacking.

[SurfRail]

Go cards are already on sale at Airport Domestic and International stations.  You can process a refund there also.

http://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/go-card/locations/search?service=any&region=any&suburb[]=Airport+%28Brisbane%29&cardType=any&submitButton=Search+retailers

Gold Coast Airport is the major bit still lacking.

Even there it is not a huge issue - Surfside probably sells a lot more of its own Freedom and Gold Passes to visitors than the various retailers would be selling go cards to them.  They tend to be better value if done right - unlimited travel, group and family ticketing, theme park transfers etc.  (It always amazes me that even with the TX1/TX2/TX5 services, Gold Coast Tourist Shuttle - Surfside's own charter arm - still turns a profit on theme park transfers!)

It is a hole that needs to be plugged though.

Does anybody know if you can get a myki at Melbourne Airport or a Smartrider at Perth Airport?

[somebody]

Probably not required at Melbourne Airport.  It isn't valid on Skybus.

Probably Perth don't do it but they did their introduction on the cheap.

[STB]

No I don't believe that you can get a Myki at Melbourne Airport, at least when I was there earlier this year.  However, after catching the Skybus to Southern Cross station, there was a Myki shop at the station where I purchased one with no problems.  They also had staff there showing people on how to use the Myki.

[cartoonbirdhaus]

Probably not required at Melbourne Airport.  It isn't valid on Skybus.

However, Smartbus route 901 and a few other Metlink bus routes serve MEL.