My Go Card trial

[ozbob]

I was heading home the other day on an early afternoon Ipswich bound service.  A passenger had her mobile phone out and was calling TransLink chasing an adjustment.  It was impossible not to hear the conversation.  She started an long explanation of what had happened when the phone dropped out.  Not fazed, she called TL back and started the process over again.  I got off the train, the conversations had been going on for about 15 minutes on and off at that point.   Mobile charges would have been considerable, clearly a lot more than a fare adjustment ...

[#Metro]

My GoCard died again. This is my second dead go card in as many months.
Bus drivers seem to know something about it. "Bad tables" they say to me.

I'm on to my 3rd Go Card now,           I wonder how long this one will last?

[justanotheruser]

I boarded a bus at roma street bus station today and the driver waved me straight on. Upon looking at the Go card machine it had a message saying "Low Battery Power". Does anyone know if that is common?

I didn't get a free ride as it would have been a transfer after my train trip anyway.

[WTN]

I boarded a bus at roma street bus station today and the driver waved me straight on. Upon looking at the Go card machine it had a message saying "Low Battery Power". Does anyone know if that is common?

I've seen it a few times, although it's fairly rare.

[ozbob]

Howdy, at Oxley rail plat 3, 2 out of the 3 go readers are moisture affected .. fit for purpose equipment? YES, according to spin doctors  ....   

[mufreight]

Howdy, at Oxley rail plat 3, 2 out of the 3 go readers are moisture affected .. fit for purpose equipment? YES, according to spin doctors  ....   

Well yes one would expect that Translink's fiction writers would suggest that this junk is fit for purpose, the question being what purpose is this junk they so strongly defend is fit for, is it to ensure the maximum revenue stream possible for Translink by ripping off commuters to the maximum degree? All a matter of perspective but I am quite sure that Sims Metal could recycle this junk into something of some value and reliable use.
   

[stephenk]

My GoCard died again. This is my second dead go card in as many months.
Bus drivers seem to know something about it. "Bad tables" they say to me.

I'm on to my 3rd Go Card now,           I wonder how long this one will last?

Bad Tables?

If it's database tables causing the problem, I would be quite concerned as it is probably an OLTP system. It would also mean that your actual go-cards were OK, and it's the computer end which is the problem.

Maybe it's another type of "bad table". TransLink dodgy patio tables - they promise 4 chairs to come with it by 1st July, but it only 1 has been delivered.

----------------

Going back to my last post, my relatives opinions on their touristy week with the Go-Card were:-
-More complex than paper tickets.
-Difficult to read displays.
-"Seek assistance" error when swiping onto bus, card had swiped on when checked by driver.
-Difficult to tourists to top up (ticket machine only allowed correct notes on first attempt - no cash, no change), and difficult to plan when top ups are required.
-Lack of daily ticket on Go-Card discourages making multiple journeys for tourism.

[ozbob]

Three weeks passed, no sign of credit of failed card to new card for Mrs Ozbob (Ref: http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=486.msg26924#msg26924 )

[somebody]

Going back to my last post, my relatives opinions on their touristy week with the Go-Card were:-
-More complex than paper tickets.
-Difficult to read displays.
-"Seek assistance" error when swiping onto bus, card had swiped on when checked by driver.
-Difficult to tourists to top up (ticket machine only allowed correct notes on first attempt - no cash, no change), and difficult to plan when top ups are required.
-Lack of daily ticket on Go-Card discourages making multiple journeys for tourism.

These are exactly the kinds of people who require paper tickets in 2011.

If it's database tables causing the problem, I would be quite concerned as it is probably an OLTP system. It would also mean that your actual go-cards were OK, and it's the computer end which is the problem.

I doubt that's the problem, and I wonder if TT has another RFID card with the Go Card.

[Otto]

I boarded a bus at roma street bus station today and the driver waved me straight on. Upon looking at the Go card machine it had a message saying "Low Battery Power". Does anyone know if that is common?

'Low Power Mode' is the message (similar to sleep mode), and this appears when the CUBIC system is not in use OR due to faults rendering it unserviceable.

Bad Tables?

If it's database tables causing the problem, I would be quite concerned as it is probably an OLTP system. It would also mean that your actual go-cards were OK, and it's the computer end which is the problem.

I will see 'bad tables' displayed on my DCU. Passengers will most likely see 'Seek Assistance' on the CID (Customer Interface Device ).. If only one customer gets this message on repeated attemps, then it is most likely a failing GoCard .. If all customers cards cause 'bad tables' to appear on my DCU, then it is a CUBIC system failure..

[ozbob]

At Central doing some go gate watching ...    Most punters streaming through (gates don't close), few new users apparently caused some minor delays.  Main gate at least 90% using go card.  Still no adequate anti-peak flow.

[STB]

Is this correct...?  This many transfers (Rail). Four touch on transfers.

15-Jun-10 04:44:55 PM Touch off South Bank     
15-Jun-10 04:34:13 PM Touch on transfer Central     
15-Jun-10 04:22:18 PM Touch off Central     
15-Jun-10 04:05:36 PM Touch on transfer Bowen Hills     
15-Jun-10 03:52:17 PM Touch off Bowen Hills -0.25  * 
15-Jun-10 03:42:53 PM Touch on transfer Windsor     
15-Jun-10 03:39:31 PM Touch off 'Windsor Rail' Stop 13 Lutwyche Road [BT000470] -0.18  * 
15-Jun-10 03:22:13 PM Touch on transfer 'Griffith University' Busway Station [BT010820]

[Golliwog]

I noticed an ad in the Courier Mail this morning (pg 17). They seem to have adopted the idea of signs at stores/stations to advertise whether the they have go card buying and/or top-up facilities.

[longboi]

Thank-you very much 

[ozbob]

May 15

Mrs Ozbob's go card got damaged last night due to a misadventure at Central.  QR staff instructed her to travel for free home. Fortunately I have a spare which I registered and set up auto top up last night.  Will see if it works this morning on my perambulation.  It is a lot easier to set up (register) a new card now, no need to ring up.  Have filled out the transfer form and will post that in.

Posted the form in May 16.  TransLink have checked and the form and damaged go card was never received according to them.  Mrs Ozbob has now transferred the old card balance to her new go card using the new online function.   Must have got lost in the post ... 

The online function is much better.

[STB]

Just noticed today, $5 and $10 top ups at the AVVMs now take EFTPOS.  A small but good step.  What about coins...?

[ozbob]

Mrs Ozbob finally scored a fixed fare adjustment, after 4 weeks! Phone call and a follow up using the online facility was needed though ...

[STB]

Something strange occurred today...

13-Jul-10 12:19:10 PM     Touch on transfer     Garden City Interchange - Platform H [BT006508-3]         
13-Jul-10 11:35:32 AM    Touch off    Garden City K [6511]    -1.50    *
13-Jul-10 11:35:32 AM    Touch on    Garden City K [6511]        
13-Jul-10 11:07:18 AM    Touch off    Capalaba Bus Station stop B [30183]    -1.50    *
13-Jul-10 11:07:18 AM    Touch on    Capalaba Bus Station stop B [30183]        
13-Jul-10 11:01:01 AM    Touch off    Capalaba Bus Station stop A [30182]    -1.04    *

Two fixed fares with a touch on/off registered at the same time in my travel from Capalaba to Garden City and the transfer not registering.  Even more oddly, a registered transfer after I depart Garden City.

A case of what the...?

Called TransLink for the refund of $3, expect to take 4 to 5 working days.

[ozbob]

Headed out on the Cleveland line today.  Go card checked onboard by TOs with mobile reader outbound and inbound.  Didn't see any punters caught without valid tickets.

[#Metro]

Is the Cleveland line really that hilly?

[ozbob]

Around Morningside - Norman Park a few gentle curves and hills, other than that pretty flat as railways go!

[ozbob]

Touched on at Murrarie, touched off at Oxley today.  Both zone 3 stations, fare zone 3.

On this basis the fare for a 77 Gardens City to Chermside (3 to 3) should be a 3 zone fare.

Just wanted to confirm it in my mind.

[STB]

Speaking of the Cleveland line...the Go Card readers at Wellington Point station haven't been wrapped yet and at Birkdale, one of the readers is missing the top part of the wrap (the bottom is done though - so not completely naked!).

[STB]

Something strange occurred today...

13-Jul-10 12:19:10 PM     Touch on transfer     Garden City Interchange - Platform H [BT006508-3]         
13-Jul-10 11:35:32 AM    Touch off    Garden City K [6511]    -1.50    *
13-Jul-10 11:35:32 AM    Touch on    Garden City K [6511]        
13-Jul-10 11:07:18 AM    Touch off    Capalaba Bus Station stop B [30183]    -1.50    *
13-Jul-10 11:07:18 AM    Touch on    Capalaba Bus Station stop B [30183]        
13-Jul-10 11:01:01 AM    Touch off    Capalaba Bus Station stop A [30182]    -1.04    *

Two fixed fares with a touch on/off registered at the same time in my travel from Capalaba to Garden City and the transfer not registering.  Even more oddly, a registered transfer after I depart Garden City.

A case of what the...?

Called TransLink for the refund of $3, expect to take 4 to 5 working days.

An update. I got a partial refund of $2.42 the other day.  I'm still shortchanged 58c!

[tronixstuff]

I was heading home the other day on an early afternoon Ipswich bound service.  A passenger had her mobile phone out and was calling TransLink chasing an adjustment.  It was impossible not to hear the conversation.  She started an long explanation of what had happened when the phone dropped out.  Not fazed, she called TL back and started the process over again.  I got off the train, the conversations had been going on for about 15 minutes on and off at that point.   Mobile charges would have been considerable, clearly a lot more than a fare adjustment ...

She might be on one of those unlimited domestic call plans, or a public servant on a work phone (!). If anyone doesn't know, the Translink non-13 number is 07 3215 5000, which people on unlimited plans can call for free, or capped plans have the cost out of their quota - whereas there is a charge for 13xxxx numbers.

[Mozz]

Slightly off topic but I need to point out that as a public sector employee all the public sector organisations I have worked for require each and every private call made on a work mobile phone to be paid for.

[stephenk]

Speaking of the Cleveland line...the Go Card readers at Wellington Point station haven't been wrapped yet and at Birkdale, one of the readers is missing the top part of the wrap (the bottom is done though - so not completely naked!).

Vandals have removed some wraps. I saw the top wrap stuck in another part of Enoggera station recently.

[Golliwog]

Speaking of the Cleveland line...the Go Card readers at Wellington Point station haven't been wrapped yet and at Birkdale, one of the readers is missing the top part of the wrap (the bottom is done though - so not completely naked!).

Vandals have removed some wraps. I saw the top wrap stuck in another part of Enoggera station recently.

I don't get it. I just don't. How do some people get a kick out of doing that sort of thing?

[tronixstuff]

Slightly off topic but I need to point out that as a public sector employee all the public sector organisations I have worked for require each and every private call made on a work mobile phone to be paid for.

Crikey - I was in a GOC, no checks at all.

[WTN]

Slightly off topic but I need to point out that as a public sector employee all the public sector organisations I have worked for require each and every private call made on a work mobile phone to be paid for.

Not quite true for all departments - some allow "limited personal use" of work equipment. But making expensive calls is really pushing it.

My previous experience with the Cleveland line is that it is a bit twisty in a few places, and relatively straight in others. Along with the large number of stations, that sort of explains the long journey times.

[STB]

I was charged $1.04 extra by error this afternoon.  I touched off at Roma St at 12:53pm walked over to the busway stn and the time was out of sync by 8 mins, with the system thinking I'd touched on at 12:45pm and touched off at King George Square 2 mins later.

22-Jul-10 12:53:12 PM     Touch off     Roma Street      -0.81     *
22-Jul-10 12:47:16 PM    Touch off    King George Square Station 2D [BT010786]    -1.04    *
22-Jul-10 12:45:58 PM    Touch on transfer    Roma St Bus Station Platform 2 [BT010792]        
22-Jul-10 11:48:32 AM    Touch on transfer    Birkdale

[ozbob]

Haven't heard of the 'time error' for a while ... remember it was a big issue a few years back.   Seems time-travel might be coming back into vogue?  Or just a oncer??

It is the result of the wrong time stamp on the bus system if you are not sure of the history details.  Bus has the wrong time, generally only an issue if transferring ....



The actual sequence of trips STB travelled was:

22-Jul-10 12:47:16 PM    Touch off    King George Square Station 2D [BT010786]    -1.04    *
22-Jul-10 12:45:58 PM    Touch on transfer    Roma St Bus Station Platform 2 [BT010792]    
22-Jul-10 12:53:12 PM     Touch off     Roma Street      -0.81     *
22-Jul-10 11:48:32 AM    Touch on transfer    Birkdale

[justanotheruser]

I had an interesting situation the other day. I made two trips in off peak. One going to to shops and one home. on the way home I was charged for a cheaper fare than on the way in despite both only being a direct train trip (no changes) The fare on the way home was cheaper

[ozbob]

Following some reports of strange fares on the go card from Eagle Junction when breaking on Airtrain journeys I conducted an experiment.

06-Aug-10 02:30:38 PM     Touch off     Oxley      -0.40     *    
06-Aug-10 01:40:00 PM    Touch on transfer    Eagle Junction        
06-Aug-10 01:38:08 PM    Touch off    Eagle Junction    -15.00    *
06-Aug-10 01:23:52 PM    Touch on    Dom Airport        
03-Aug-10 07:37:16 AM    Touch off    Dom Airport    -18.10    *
03-Aug-10 06:14:30 AM    Touch on    Oxley

Going to the Brisbane Airport on the 3 August I did it as a single journey (touch).  Cost $18.10.  ( I am now on a concession fare), if I had broken at Central it would have been $15.00 plus $1.60 only.

Coming home today, I did the 'Eagle Rock',  broke my journey with the go card at Eagle Junction to transfer to Ipswich service.  Hello!   The fare cost was 40 cents for Eagle Junction to Oxley. Compare that to the $3.10 on the 3rd August.

An adult fare for a single touch from Oxley to Airport is $20.40, assume it would be 80cents for an 'Eagle Rock' (Eagle Junction to Oxley)...  



       

[Astro]

Hi, I got on the 327 bus this morning & the reader was working fine. A couple of stops before I got off I noticed the reader saying please wait & thought nothing of it & looked away. Arrived at my stop & noticed the reader saying no host, so I couldn't touch off. When I got home I rang TL explained & a refund of $3 is on its way. It's a shame it takes upto 10 days to get it. Why does it take so long for TL to refund your money? Everywhere else is 24-48hrs if not instantly.

[mufreight]

As their system is computer based it should be possible for the call centre operator to verify the facts of the case on the spot and make the credit to the card instantly, instead this existing system employs a couple more people and increases the operating costs of the Translink system.
The people involver would be far more productive if their efforts were applied to providing improved levels of service.
It would be most interesting to know the timed cost of the personnel required to process and execute a refund.

[p858snake]

As their system is computer based it should be possible for the call centre operator to verify the facts of the case on the spot and make the credit to the card instantly, instead this existing system employs a couple more people and increases the operating costs of the Translink system.
The people involver would be far more productive if their efforts were applied to providing improved levels of service.
It would be most interesting to know the timed cost of the personnel required to process and execute a refund.

Can't be done like that, Because the values are stored on the card and due to the fact that bus terminals don't have direct access to the system like train systems, so buses have to go in each night and basically get a update of things that need to be corrected.

[justanotheruser]

I was heading home the other day on an early afternoon Ipswich bound service.  A passenger had her mobile phone out and was calling TransLink chasing an adjustment.  It was impossible not to hear the conversation.  She started an long explanation of what had happened when the phone dropped out.  Not fazed, she called TL back and started the process over again.  I got off the train, the conversations had been going on for about 15 minutes on and off at that point.   Mobile charges would have been considerable, clearly a lot more than a fare adjustment ...

I agree that it may cost more than what you get back (and hopefully the online form will fix that) but I am the kind of person who will say let the phone company have the money that way translink will see there is a problem. If I don't do this they will automatically assume I am happy and have no problems.

[justanotheruser]

She might be on one of those unlimited domestic call plans, or a public servant on a work phone (!). If anyone doesn't know, the Translink non-13 number is 07 3215 5000 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              07 3215 5000      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              07 3215 5000      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              07 3215 5000      end_of_the_skype_highlighting, which people on unlimited plans can call for free, or capped plans have the cost out of their quota - whereas there is a charge for 13xxxx numbers.

I knew there would be a number but nobody has been willing to give it to me. Will try it next time.

My previous experience with the Cleveland line is that it is a bit twisty in a few places, and relatively straight in others. Along with the large number of stations, that sort of explains the long journey times.

yes cleveland line should have been a separate train line rather than what seems to be an add-on to manly


Edit to add
I was not allowed to use EFTPOS to puchase $140 top up on go card at three machines and it would not let me.  I did it at the ticket window no problems (once I finished train trip) Does anyone know if there is a policy about this? As usual ticket inspectors had no idea. It really annoys me when people are paid to police something and they don't fully understand how it works.

[justanotheruser]

I had an interesting situation the other day. I made two trips in off peak. One going to to shops and one home. on the way home I was charged for a cheaper fare than on the way in despite both only being a direct train trip (no changes) The fare on the way home was cheaper

So details for this were
28-Jul-10 02:04:57 PM     Touch off     Ipswich      -3.69     *
28-Jul-10 01:06:38 PM    Touch on    Toowong        
28-Jul-10 11:28:47 AM    Touch off    Toowong    -4.14    *
28-Jul-10 10:22:33 AM    Touch on    Ipswich    

and it happened again

14-Aug-10 03:03:50 PM     Touch off     Ipswich      -3.69     *
14-Aug-10 02:00:39 PM    Touch on    Toowong        
14-Aug-10 12:02:31 PM    Touch off    Toowong    -4.14    *
14-Aug-10 11:02:53 AM    Touch on    Ipswich        

On the way in it is charging me for zones 2-7 correctly and on way home it is only charging me for zones 2-6 incorrectly

Can anyone explain why the difference??