My Go Card trial

[ozbob]

At Central this afternoon the Creek St array was back in operation.

One X on the main array (reader error), one X on the Edward St array (tri reader com error)

[ozbob]

From the Brisbane mX 17th April 2009 page 5

Central a no-Go zone

Central a no-Go zone

A software upgrade malfunction caused outages to Central station Go Card readers right on peak hour yesterday afternoon.

A TransLink spokesman confirmed commuters had to directed away from Creek St Go Card gates about 4.30pm after all but on the readers failed to read passengers cards.

Commuter advocacy group Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said the breakdown led to question the reliability of the readers.

"This far into the Go Card system we would expect these gates to be reliable," Dow said.

[ozbob]

Another interesting observation this morning at Oxley.

Mrs Ozbob was heading off to town.  I asked her if she was going to use her go card?  "No, I will buy an off peak daily instead, it is cheaper."  Fine, when we got to the station there was a queue on platform 3 AVVM as the Sunday punters navigated the touch screen to purchase their tickets. Many have the same idea I guess.  We ducked over to platform 1/2 AVVM to get the ticket, she probably would have missed the train otherwise.

One wonders how long do we have to put up with this discouragement for use of the go card ...

[Mozz]

I would have expected, given the quite slavish manner in which the old ticket system drove the manner in which the gocard was implemented (resulting in the ridiculous 26+ zones) that the gocard ticketing structure should have readily and from the outset included the "offpeak" ticket pricing. If it hasn't and is just an oversight, I don't see why a few lines of code could not be inserted to make it a reality.

While I am at it I am going to start a campaign - either we keep going with the zone proliferation and increase them to 100+ or we scrap them and go back to a simpler three tiered system with an inner, mid and outer zone. The large number of zones is holding back innovative, incentive and other ticketing and I believe holding back on greater uptake of the gocard.

I have highlighted to translink some inequities in the zonal system with which I am familiar - Oxley railway to CBD zones 1-3 ... If I want to travel via public transport (bus) from Oxley railway station to the very next suburb Inala (which is the suburb immediately next to Oxley) I have to do a zone 4-5 transaction. If I stay on the train and go to the next suburb in the west Darra it is still only 1-3.

[Emmie]

GO Cards v paper tickets - for the weekend, there's no question that the paper ticket is a better option, particularly for people like me who don't use the card 10 times during the week.  Yet GO Cards allow the buses to load SO much faster, the fare structure should encourage passengers to change to them.

I encountered a new problem with paper tickets the other day - a bus driver who checked each paper ticket carefully - and had to put on his reading glasses to do so every time.  How much did that add to the time of the bus trip, I wonder?

[Otto]

I encountered a new problem with paper tickets the other day - a bus driver who checked each paper ticket carefully - and had to put on his reading glasses to do so every time.  How much did that add to the time of the bus trip, I wonder?

I would need my reading glasses too if I checked every (bus issued) paper ticket.. But I refuse to use my reading glasses on the bus.

Another slight delay we never previously had on buses is when people disembark from the bus and stop in the rear door to search their bag for their gocard to tag off... ( one lady took 45 seconds the other day )

[haakon]

( one lady took 45 seconds the other day )

I must say I did like the chutzpah of one lady I saw on the busses, she couldn't find her gocard in her handbag. So she just put the whole thing up against the reader. Worked a Treat. 

[WTN]

I made the same mistake once by not taking my go card out of my pocket before the bus stops.  Fortunately, I got it out after a quick pocket shuffle (and I wasn't wearing cargos). 

The weekend offpeak (and sometimes the weekday daily) option is in most cases much cheaper than a go card so I still use them.  I use Translinks' own fare table as a ready-reckoner to find the cheapest ticket.  A break-even point occurs if you're making a return (there and back) journey across 11 zones.  An 11-zone adult offpeak is exactly the price of 2x 11-zone adult go card journeys.  For more than 11 zones, the offpeak costs more than double.  A worthwhile consideration if you're doing long distance travel to your destination and not travelling around much (say 1-2 zones) once you're there, but will be returning home later. I once saw this as a wonderfully cheap way of getting to the coast after making 10x 2-zone trips during my weekday commutes to work, because you can travel a large number of zones on the weekend at half-price.  Unfortunately, I never did this.

[Derwan]

At Central this afternoon the Creek St array was back in operation.

This afternoon saw 4 out of 6 with the dreaded X.

[ozbob]

Yes, seems more ongoing issues with gates at Central. 

This afternoon around 3.55pm, 3 X Edward St array, 3 X front array,  1 X  Creek St.  Errors tri reader comm error, couple with reader failure.

[ozbob]

Mrs Ozbob and I went home via Central this afternoon.  Four X  Edward St array on, all tri reader comm error, front array and Creek St all green.

[ozbob]

All the gates at Roma St had green lights yesterday afternoon for a change.

No problems with the go card for me on rail at this time, apart from being alert for gate failures (look for the X and you can see the error message as well). 

[ozbob]

All the go gates at Central were green this afternoon around 4.10pm. 

[ozbob]

Go reader at the end of platform 3 Oxley  has been activated ...

Can't wait for the eastern access to open!

[Mozz]

Yes Bob it would be good (sorry to be a wet blanket) but it's now the 01.05.09 and it was to be opened on the 18.12.08 - if you check the website this is still the target date.

[ozbob]

The eastern end of platform 3 Oxley now open for access, the go card reader still red.

See --> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=833.msg10560#msg10560

All the go gates at Central this afternoon around 4.25pm were all green!



Footnote:  Reader platform 3 Oxley eastern end still red at 06.30am 2nd May.

[ozbob]

8.30am reader on platform 3 Oxley still red, however the one immediately next to the footbridge stairs (which is closed off and not accessible is operating!    )

Punters who access from the eastern end still have to track up the other end to touch on/off as the case may be.

[ozbob]

Media Release 4 May 2009

SEQ:  Oxley foot bridge - a bridge to nowhere

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 called for an acceleration in the commissioning of the new Oxley foot bridge.  Months late, residents and commuters are becoming frustrated with ongoing issues which delay its opening.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The Oxley footbridge is a necessary local thoroughfare connecting the local Oxley community and for use by rail commuters.  Oxley is a very busy station."

"Initial community consultation indicated the old footbridge would be decommissioned in June 2008 and the new one commissioned by December 2008 (1)"

"In an apparent attempt to ease some local concerns, access from the street and new car park to the eastern end platform 3 at Oxley was finally given on 1st May 2009.  However the go card reader at the eastern entrance was not operating (and still is not operating as of 6.30am May 4), although the reader next to the northern footbridge stairs is but it is behind barriers and not accessible!  Commuters still have to track down to the other end of platform 3 to touch on or off.  Why is the travelling public treated in such an offhand manner?"

"RAIL Back On Track calls for an explanation from the Minister as to why the bridge is not open,  and when can we expect a functioning go card reader and bridge opening?"

"Oxley residents and rail commuters have been very patient!"

Reference:

1.
http://www.trackstar.com.au/images/stories/cons_notices/COD/remqr_con_up_fb_closure_13_june_2008.pdf

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
0412255927
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Reader at eastern end platform 3 Oxley, 6.20am, today May 5.  Watched a couple of punters head west ...



Photograph R Dow 5th May 2009

Passed through central this morning to check out the new ticket arrangements.

No worries, all the gates green too!   

[ozbob]

Noted that the go card reader eastern end of platform 3 Oxley was being worked on at 6.55pm this evening (5th May).

[ozbob]

Go card reader eastern end of platform 3 Oxley was operational this morning!



Photograph R Dow 6th May 2009

Thanks!

[ozbob]

Mrs Ozbob and yours truly touched on using the now working go card reader at the eastern end of platform 3 Oxley this morning, just to confirm it works!   

(Yes I know, we got to get a life ...  )

No problems with the Go on rail this week.  Only one X at the Central gates last afternoon around 4.55pm.  Edward St array.

GO!

[ozbob]

One X at the Roma St on gates yesterday afternoon, tri comm reader error.

Looks as though the foot bridge at Oxley will be opening shortly!

Work proceeding on activating both go card readers at the foot of stairs platform 3, and platforms 1/2 early this morning (6.20am).

Once all GOing, this means 3 readers on platform 3, three readers on platforms 1/2.





Photographs R Dow 8th May 2009

[ozbob]

The Oxley station footbridge opened at 4pm today (8th May).

All go card readers GOing!

See --> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=833.msg10698#msg10698  for some photographs.

Touched off at the new reader at the bottom of the foot bridge stairs platforms1/2.

[ozbob]

Another week on go.  The go card reader bottom of the footbridge stairs platform 3 Oxley is not working, the other one eastern end of plat 3 is.

[ozbob]

Coming through Roma St this morning all the gates green, this afternoon 3 X Roma St on, tri reader comm error

[ozbob]

Presently at Central,  observing the flow through the gates.  All go gates green and working normally.  Arrangements for paper seem to be going ok.

The go reader immediately at the foot of the stairs at platform 3 east Oxley is still not operating (doesn't register touches).  Also is already moisture affected, which may be contributing to its non functioning.

[ozbob]

All go gates green at Central yesterday afternoon and this morning at Roma St!

Go reader adjacent to the foot bridge stairs platform 3 Oxley still not accepting touches.   Still water inside it as well.

It is disappointing to see equipment like this.  It sends a message to the punters that perhaps the system is no good.  They see people trying to touch and nothing happening.  Some users  don't even realise it is not working.  A simple sticker on it to the effect "out of order" might stop a few fixed fares.  But that would be expecting too much I guess ...

It is very difficult to read the screen through the moisture but it is saying, touch card here.

No other issues with the go for me this week.  Time for another top up!

[ozbob]

No change with the go card reader at platform 3 east near the foot bridge this morning.

[Jon Bryant]

Looks like we may have to pass the hat around to get it fixed.  I am good for $50   

[mufreight]

Super great technology, purpose designed and fit for purpose equipment, now who believes in the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, and Translink.
I might be a cynic but the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny well maybe I still believe but Translink you would have to be kidding.

[ozbob]

Tried to touch on at the reader at the bottom of stairs platform 3 Oxley this morning.  Still not working.

Haven't seen a red go gate so far this week at either Roma St or Central.  Hopefully they might be GOing a lot better!

[ozbob]

Presently at Central,  ALL Go gates are out of service.  On a free ride!!!

Fire alarm causes gates to open.  Apparently tripped earlier today, gates not reset!

[mufreight]

Translink and their on the cheap Cubic supplied unfit for purpose equipment have again exhibited their deplorable lack of ability to provide a reliable service.
Time for Minister Nolal to review the concept of Translink with a view to handing the role of co-ordinating Public Transport in South East Queensland to Queensland Transport and to sack Cubic for the ongoing failures of their Go Card system.

[Derwan]

Free ride for me too. 

Saw some confused people coming up from the subway, not sure what to do.

Nearly touched off by habit at Boondall, but luckily remembered!

[haakon]

Translink and their on the cheap Cubic supplied unfit for purpose equipment have again exhibited their deplorable lack of ability to provide a reliable service.

Actually I think the gates opening automatically when a fire alarm goes off is an excellent safety feature and they shouldn't reset back without intervention when the alarm is cleared either.

[ozbob]

Almost 'touched off' at Oxley too!!  Took some real self-discipline not too!  Boy, am I  GO conditioned! 

Yes, it is an excellent safety feature that the gates open during alarms.  The problem was re-setting them.

No worries though, there were frequent announcements advising punters not to touch, and if inbound to ring TransLink for adjustments as appropriate.

[ozbob]

Checked the go reader immediately next to the foot bridge platform 3 Oxley, still not working.  Shows the 'please touch here' message but doesn't respond to go card at all.

If would be handy to have it operational, it would be a backup for the other one.

Other than that, no problems for me with the GO. 

One wonders though when the 'auto topup' will be available.  Even the new e-toll has auto topup from the outset 

[ozbob]

At Oxley, another week on the GO!  Reader east plat 3 sill not registering any touches.

Procession of trains here following the weekend closure, down grain just went flying through!

[ozbob]

Go card reader east platform 3 Oxley is working!  Successful touch this morning 

Good redundancy there now!!

Thanks!