Article: Go Card glitch answers blocked

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Go Card glitch answers blocked

Go Card glitch answers blocked
Daniel Hurst
August 4, 2011 - 3:00AM

TransLink failed to release factual information about a Go Card fault to the media after intervention from the body's chief executive, internal emails suggest.

TransLink did tell the public about a temporary problem with smartcard readers at train stations when fares were reinstated after the January flood, which meant people had to touch their Go Cards numerous times to register.

However, brisbanetimes.com.au had difficulty seeking answers from TransLink about the number of people who were incorrectly issued with a fixed fare of $5 due to the glitch.
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Internal emails released under Right to Information laws show TransLink's media manager prepared a draft response to questions about the cause of the problem and what had been done to ensure it did not occur again.

The February 2 draft response also revealed that about 5000 people received a fixed fare due to the connection delay and were automatically reimbursed.

TransLink prepared the response following numerous requests for the information.

However, TransLink chief executive Peter Strachan replied to the media manager with a short email: "I think this should be a simple it's all fixed. No story. Move along."

brisbanetimes.com.au subsequently received no written response on the issue and was never told how many people had been affected.

The emails were released to Seven News as part of a broader RTI investigation into Go Card glitches.

Mr Strachan said last night he had no intention to block the release of factual information by replying that there was "no story" and it was "all fixed".

"My comment was around where we were with [technology provider] Cubic with the floods," he said.

Mr Strachan said TransLink had kept the public updated about the problem on its website and the glitch was fixed on January 27.

The glitch occurred after Go Card readers were switched back on following an eight-day period of free public transport after the floods.

"The customers knew that the system wasn't working and that we had fixed it," Mr Strachan said.

Asked whether he accepted his email led to his staff not releasing the requested information about the number of customers affected, Mr Strachan said that was one interpretation.

"You could interpret, if you didn't get anything and you put these things together, that's an interpretation, but that was certainly not the intention," he said.

"My purpose has always been to be transparent about stuff.

"Far from wanting to stop stuff [from being released] I'm more likely to be encouraging the team to put information out."

According to the draft response that was never issued, teams in San Diego and Brisbane worked to identify the software issue with the Go Card readers and rolled out an update across all units.

About 5000 customers were charged the $5 fixed fare for incorrect Go Card use during the problem but this was refunded, the response would have disclosed.

Mr Strachan will leave his role at the helm of TransLink in October to a key transport department job in the United Kingdom.

The state government is searching for a replacement.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/go-card-glitch-answers-blocked-20110803-1ibe1.html#ixzz1TzK8Hzxj


Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/go-card-glitch-answers-blocked-20110803-1ibe1.html#ixzz1TzJhnJlW

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Unfair evasion is not on says LNP

Unfair evasion is not on says LNP
Daniel Hurst
August 5, 2011 - 6:44AM

State government agencies need to be more open and transparent, the opposition says.

Liberal National Party transport spokesman Scott Emerson yesterday seized on a brisbanetimes.com.au report showing TransLink failed to answer simple media questions about a Go Card fault.

Emails obtained under Right to Information laws showed the TransLink media unit prepared a response to brisbanetimes.com.au's questions about the January fault at train station readers, but it was never issued.

TransLink chief executive Peter Strachan, responding to the draft statement on February 2, told his media manager: "I think this should be a simple it's all fixed. No story. Move along."

Mr Emerson told State Parliament yesterday he had concerns about the state government "evading" its responsibilities.

He said brisbanetimes.com.au's queries about how many customers were affected by the fault and the cause of the problem were "straightforward and appropriate questions".

"The government and its agencies need to be open, transparent and accountable, not evading responsibility and hiding the truth," he said.

Premier Anna Bligh has, in the past, pledged to lead a transparent government, and she echoed that sentiment last night.

"I expect all departments to be open, honest and accountable when asked for information by anyone, whether they are in the media or the wider community," she said.

Mr Emerson's comments came after Mr Strachan said he had not intended to prevent the release of factual information by sending the email and in fact he supported openness.

The documents surrounding handling of media enquiries were part of a broader Seven News RTI investigation into Go Card faults.

TransLink prepared the draft response following numerous requests from this website for the information. But the agency did not release the requested details following Mr Strachan's email.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/unfair-evasion-is-not-on-says-lnp-20110804-1idjm.html

[dwb]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Unfair evasion is not on says LNP

Unfair evasion is not on says LNP
Daniel Hurst
August 5, 2011 - 6:44AM

State government agencies need to be more open and transparent, the opposition says.

Liberal National Party transport spokesman Scott Emerson yesterday seized on a brisbanetimes.com.au report showing TransLink failed to answer simple media questions about a Go Card fault.

Emails obtained under Right to Information laws showed the TransLink media unit prepared a response to brisbanetimes.com.au's questions about the January fault at train station readers, but it was never issued.

TransLink chief executive Peter Strachan, responding to the draft statement on February 2, told his media manager: "I think this should be a simple it's all fixed. No story. Move along."

Mr Emerson told State Parliament yesterday he had concerns about the state government "evading" its responsibilities.

He said brisbanetimes.com.au's queries about how many customers were affected by the fault and the cause of the problem were "straightforward and appropriate questions".

"The government and its agencies need to be open, transparent and accountable, not evading responsibility and hiding the truth," he said.

Premier Anna Bligh has, in the past, pledged to lead a transparent government, and she echoed that sentiment last night.

"I expect all departments to be open, honest and accountable when asked for information by anyone, whether they are in the media or the wider community," she said.

Mr Emerson's comments came after Mr Strachan said he had not intended to prevent the release of factual information by sending the email and in fact he supported openness.

The documents surrounding handling of media enquiries were part of a broader Seven News RTI investigation into Go Card faults.

TransLink prepared the draft response following numerous requests from this website for the information. But the agency did not release the requested details following Mr Strachan's email.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/unfair-evasion-is-not-on-says-lnp-20110804-1idjm.html

Blah blah blah LNP talking about evasion, you've got to be kidding me! The leader got BCC excepted to the same level as State Cabinet!

Besides, if the issue was already fixed, the refunds had already gone through, then what's the big deal!?

[p858snake]

Blah blah blah LNP talking about evasion, you've got to be kidding me! The leader got BCC excepted to the same level as State Cabinet!

Besides, if the issue was already fixed, the refunds had already gone through, then what's the big deal!?

It's discussing how they were dealing with the issue at the time, just after the issues started occurring (possibly before all the refunds were issue)