Myki - articles and discussion

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Ombudsman to probe billions of dollars thrown at IT projects

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> One-third of myki bills 'inaccurate'

[ozbob]

From the Herald Sun click here!

Ted Baillieu 'too scared' to make decisions, Oppositions says

Ted Baillieu 'too scared' to make decisions, Oppositions says

    Stephen McMahon
    From: Herald Sun
    May 16, 2011 12:00AM

THE Coalition is facing rising criticism of paralysis at the top levels of government as it sits on a key report into the future of myki.

The sanctioning of a further review into Victoria Police last week tops up to 80 reports and reviews already started and threatening to slowly grind down the Coalition's ability to govern.

Some of the completed reports have been sitting on Premier Ted Baillieu's desk for months without any action.

The myki report is believed to have been prepared for Cabinet on at least two occasions in recent months but has not been brought forward.

Should the Government immediately release the myki report? Tell us below

Senior Liberals fuming at the slow progress are demanding action, with many directly blaming Mr Baillieu's office.

"It is almost impossible to get them to make a decision," one Coalition MP said.

Consultant Deloitte's report into the controversial myki smartcard system has been buried in a Cabinet sub-committee for more than three months, despite reports the inaction on myki is costing taxpayers $200,000 every day.

Myki was originally scheduled to take over from the antiquated Metcard system at Easter.

And on Budget day, Treasurer Kim Wells dropped the strongest possible hint the botched myki ticketing system would be approved.

But the Premier still refuses to talk publicly about the report's findings, despite admitting that whichever way the Government moves "is going to cost" taxpayers.

Opposition spokesman on scrutiny of government Martin Pakula said the Coalition's paralysis meant Victoria ran a real risk of losing its reputation as "the No.1 state in the nation".

"Announcing review after review, then leaving them sitting on a desk because Mr Baillieu is too scared to make a decision is not governing," Mr Pakula said.

"Mr Baillieu's failure to make decisions is sending a clear signal that Victoria is closed for business. Every day Mr Baillieu dithers is costing Victorians hundreds of thousands of dollars."

Some of the other outstanding reports that have yet to be returned to the Government include a review into child protection services, smart meters, the Victorian Transport Plan and an audit of the state's speed cameras.

[ozbob]

From the Herald Sun click here!

Ted Baillieu dithers as scores quit troubled smartcard myki

Ted Baillieu dithers as scores quit troubled smartcard myki

    Stephen McMahon
    From: Herald Sun
    May 26, 2011 12:00AM

Use of the controversial $1.35 billion ticketing system has suffered a dramatic drop, with more than 1.2 million fewer trips during March.

Commuters using myki "touched on" 4.3 million times in February, but only 3.1 million times in March. Over the same period, Metcard validations also fell, from 17,129,775 to 15,224,894.

Commuter uncertainty comes as Premier Ted Baillieu dithers about a decision on myki's future after almost six months in power.

Friday marks the Coalition's six-month anniversary of winning power after 11 years of Labor rule, but the failure to make a decision on myki's future is costing taxpayers $200,000 a day.

After three months of deliberations a Cabinet sub-committee has yet to provide a report on whether to scrap or retain the controversial smartcard.

The report on myki, by consultants Deloitte, was submitted in February.

Most observers expect myki to survive in a scaled-back form, as almost $725 million has already been spent on it.

But Mr Baillieu is facing growing criticism over the Coalition's failure to make a decision.

The Government's small-target Budget this month sparked a clamour for the Coalition to live up to its election slogan, "fix the problems and build the future".

Business leaders are demanding action on new rail lines and a metropolitan ring road to ease congestion.

Trucking magnate Lindsay Fox yesterday urged the State Government to get moving.

"Infrastructure is a big problem," he said.

"Nothing has been done in that area by successive governments in the last 20 years."

Despite admitting Victoria had an infrastructure deficit, Mr Baillieu said the focus remained on keeping debt down.

"The first thing to do is to stabilise debt levels and to ensure that we have the surpluses that can be dedicated to infrastructure spending," Mr Baillieu said.

The most recent commuter data tabled in Parliament yesterday shows both Metcard and myki ticket use is down, with commuters shunning public transport.

Greens MP Greg Barber said it was time for the Coalition to make a decision, as commuters were increasingly confused with the two systems working side by side.

"There's been no increase in myki uptake over this year, and there probably won't be until the Government bites the bullet and tells us when they are switching off Metcard," he said.

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

No rush on myki call, Mulder says

No rush on myki call, Mulder says
May 26, 2011 - 12:45PM

The state government says it is not afraid to make a decision on the troubled myki public transport ticketing system, but will not be rushed on the issue.

Transport Minister Terry Mulder would not say how much it was costing to run the dual myki and Metcard systems while a review was undertaken.

"We are taking our time because in the end whatever decision we make with myki, whether we go forward, whether we go back, what we do know is it's going to cost millions more," he told reporters.

"What we're doing is trying to get the best possible outcome for Victorian taxpayers. So we make no apology for the time we're taking because in the end the decision we make is stuck with us for a long long time into the future.

"We're not afraid to make a decision, we know we have to make a decision, what we want to make sure is we make the right decision."

Myki has been running in parallel to Metcard since July last year, but has been plagued by cost blowouts and technical problems that followed a three-year delay in its introduction.

The myki system is under review from the coalition government, with estimated costs for abandoning it put at $1 billion.

Mr Mulder would not put a timeframe on when the government would make a final decision on myki's future.

"We will make the announcement when we're ready to make the announcement, when we've got the best possible outcome for taxpayers," he said.

AAP

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/no-rush-on-myki-call-mulder-says-20110526-1f5hg.html

[ozbob]

From the Herald Sun click here!

$70 million wait on myki decision

$70 million wait on myki decision

    Stephen McMahon
    From: Herald Sun
    May 27, 2011 12:00AM

TAXPAYERS face a bill of up to $70 million as the Coalition admits it may not decide on myki's future for up to six months.

Transport Minister Terry Mulder yesterday refused to guarantee the Coalition would make a decision on the controversial $1.35 billion ticketing system before the end of the year.

He admitted running Metcard and myki simultaneously was expensive.

But Mr Mulder refused to disclose the full cost, only saying it "paled in insignificance" compared with the cost of getting it wrong.

"We are not going to be pushed on it," he said.

"We will announce it when we are comfortable we have the best possible outcome for Victorian taxpayers."

But the Opposition puts the price of delaying a decision at $200,000 a day.

It claims it costs about $50 million a year to keep Metcard running, about $137,000 a day.

Delaying a decision on myki's future adds $1 million a month (about $33,000 a day). And the Transport Ticketing Authority, the agency in charge of myki, costs $14.5 million a year - about $45,000 a day.

Opposition transport spokeswoman Fiona Richardson said it was time for the Premier to man up and make a decision.

"The Liberal Premier's refusal to make a decision until next year is disgraceful and will cost taxpayers upwards of $70 million," she said.

A Cabinet sub-committee has sat on a final report on whether to scrap or retain the controversial smartcard for up to three months.

Despite a report on myki by consultants Deloitte being submitted in February, Mr Mulder said there was still work to be done to make sure the Government got it right. But most observers expect myki to survive in a scaled-back form, as almost $725 million has been spent on it.

Mr Mulder said myki use had gone up, with 5.1 million touch-ons across buses, trams and trains in March.

He clarified that original data seen by the Herald Sun showing a drop in myki usage only covered trains. The previous monthly data had shown all modes of public transport.

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Myki gains in transport double

Myki gains in transport double
Deborah Gough
May 29, 2011

VICTORIANS are warming to the myki ticketing system, increasing pressure on the state government to decide whether to implement it fully, cut its losses and dump it, or continue to fund the exorbitant cost of running it alongside the Metcard system.

The opposition, the Greens and the Public Transport Users Association have called on the Baillieu government to decide on myki's future, saying the dual system is causing passenger confusion and costing taxpayers at least $1 million a week to run.

The Sunday Age can reveal that myki's share of total ticketing revenue is 22.2 per cent so far this month, up from 18.7 per cent in January. Figures obtained under freedom-of-information also show that in March passengers across the state "touched on" 6.4 million times, up from 4 million last November.

However, despite more public transport users putting their faith in the controversial $1.3 billion myki system, figures released to The Sunday Age show that to March this year passengers had paid only $95 million to use it since its introduction in January 2009.

Public Transport Users Association president Daniel Bowen said the government must urgently clarify its position.

"They are still dithering and they need to implement it fully or scrap it," Mr Bowen said. "It's ridiculous to have two fully functioning systems running side by side."

Mr Bowen called for the immediate release of two government-commissioned myki reports: a consultants' report by Deloitte completed last year and a cabinet subcommittee report delivered in February.

"It is months since they received the consultants' report and it's visibly costing extra money keeping the competing Metcard and myki operating simultaneously," he said.

Opposition spokeswoman for public transport Fiona Richardson said running the two systems was costing at least $200,000 a day. It cost

$137,000 a day to run Metcard (based on $50 million a year to operate), $45,000 a day to fund the Transport Ticketing Authority (set up to create myki and without a purpose once it is introduced), and $33,000 a day for extra staff and to warehouse unused myki machines.

The Baillieu government dismissed the costing as inaccurate but failed to supply an alternative figure.

Ms Richardson said her figures were conservative and did not include any penalties that myki's operator, Keane Australia Micropayment Consortium (Kamco), might claim.

"You would think Kamco would be saying, 'We are ready to go and you are stopping us from getting revenue, because you are still running Metcard'," she said.

"Under normal contractual arrangements you would expect a sting in the tail and for them to ask for compensation."

A spokeswoman for Transport Minister Terry Mulder said the government was still conducting its review.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/myki-gains-in-transport-double-20110528-1fa05.html

[ozbob]

http://www.ptua.org.au/2011/05/29/potd-two-ticketing-systems/

PT Problem of the Day: Two ticketing systems causing confusion and adding to costs

It's coming up on a year since both Myki and Metcard have been operating in parallel on all Melbourne public transport services. The government continues to dither over making a decision on whether they'll keep Myki or not. While it's been hugely expensive and problematic, Myki largely works now — in fact many of its problems are because it has to coexist with Metcard.

Running the two systems is also adding to costs to taxpayers, and is causing confusion — often you'll see tourists and other occasional users trying to "touch" their Metcards on the Myki readers. The placement of Metcard machines also prevents more Myki machines being installed, for instance to allow topups on buses and trams, and on more station platforms.

It's time the government decided one way or the other, and got on with the job.

[ozbob]

From the Herald Sun click here!

Inspectors left with no device to check myki cards

Inspectors left with no device to check myki cards

    John Masanauskas
    From: Herald Sun
    June 03, 2011 12:00AM

DEVICES that check the validity of myki cards are still playing up.

The Transport Ticketing Authority has been aware of problems since late 2009 and in April it said improvements were being made.

But transport sources have told the Herald Sun that issues persist, such as the constant failure to give readings and low battery life of the devices.

About 250 of the hand-held devices are used by ticket inspectors across the train and tram network.

It is believed that more than 40 devices were recorded as faulty on the rail system last week, leaving many myki cards unchecked.

Also, batteries last up to three hours when a minimum of six hours is required.

Ticketing authority chief Bernie Carolan yesterday confirmed there were intermittent problems with the devices giving no readings.

"It is one of the areas where we are working with (ticket system operator) Kamco and the transport operators to improve device performance," he said.

"Any sophisticated communications equipment being used in a similar environment would be expected to experience some level of technical issues."

Mr Carolan said authorised officers had been told how to quickly restore communications in the field and restart the checking process.

To improve battery performance, officers had been given holsters that charged the device when not in use.

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Travellers railroaded into using myki cards

Travellers railroaded into using myki cards
Deborah Gough
June 12, 2011

ONE million public transport users now have a myki ticket, but many say they are being forced to use the new system against their will to create the illusion that they support it.

The Transport Ticketing Authority is funnelling Metcard passengers onto the new ticketing system through a range of tactics, including issuing unrequested myki cards to Metcard users, such as seniors and yearly ticket holders, and restricting Metcard sales.

An authority spokesman, Adrian Darwent, confirmed it had issued myki tickets to all registered Metcard users as part of the rollout of the new system.

Many travellers have told The Sunday Age they are not happy about being forced to use myki but believe they have little choice.

Public Transport Users Association president Daniel Bowen said passengers were only being offered yearly myki cards at train stations, even though Metcard tickets were supposed to be available.

Passengers were resisting signing up for myki while its technical problems remained and while the Coalition government had not yet decided whether to retain it, he said.

''If you are doing a rollout you have to, at some point, push people across, but the big problem is no one really knows whether Metcard is going to continue or be switched off.

''It would be a lot easier to sell the idea if it did not have the glitches and was reliable; if the readers worked every time; if the fare gates worked,'' he said.

Passengers have also complained they cannot buy Metcards because there are too few outlets or machines to dispense them. The authority's figures show the number of retail outlets selling Metcards has fallen by about 70 in the past two years.

Rowville resident David Lucas said his local newsagency had twice tried to become a Metcard outlet, but had been knocked back. ''I see [myki] as Brumby's expensive white elephant, and I refuse to use it, unless I have no other choice,'' he said.

Mr Darwent said some outlets may have stopped selling Metcards because businesses closed and changed owners.

He defended issuing myki tickets to registered Metcard users, saying the same tactics were used when the Oyster card was introduced in London.

Several Commuter Club users have complained to The Sunday Age that the authority has stopped issuing Metcards and will only send them myki cards.

Commuter Club, which has 18,000 users, is a scheme where employers buy discounted yearly tickets from the authority and sell them to staff at a reduced rate.

The authority issued the one millionth myki card last month. Nearly half of the myki cards issued were to seniors because the authority had their contact details. Just under one-third of myki cardholders registered for ''free'' cards and 100,000 students have myki cards. The remainder have bought myki cards.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/travellers-railroaded-into-using-myki-cards-20110611-1fyao.html#ixzz1OzaNmDZE

Come to Queensland!  They just push paper up in price to get the shift ...  no doubt that is coming too ...

[ozbob]

Very interesting blog comments on this article.  My own experience with myki has been very positive, and so say the majority ...

[#Metro]

Probably a beat up... MOVE ON!!!

Surprised we still don't have manual hole punch cards...

[ozbob]

Yes, despite the negative article it is clear, myki is here to stay.  Any go card user will find using the myki a 'no brainer' ... seems the Melburnians have finally woken up out of the slumber ...

[ozbob]

Speculation abounds down south, possible announcement at 11.45am re myki future ..

[ozbob]

Twitter
bellfrances Frances Bell
by danielbowen
Baillieu giving myki history lesson ahead of announcement #springst
2 minutes ago

[ozbob]

As expected ...  good, be able to use my myki in August! LOL

Twitter

ashgar Ashley Gardiner
Retain but modify myki with new contract, says Baillieu
37 seconds ago

[ozbob]

Twitter

heidimur Heidi Murphy
Myki to be retained; metcard extended to 2012; and sys to be somewhat modified #springst

[ozbob]

Twitter

heidimur Heidi Murphy
No myki on vline long distance till it's working
54 seconds ago

[ozbob]

Twitter

ClayLucas Clay Lucas
by danielbowen
Metcard to stay til Dec 2012, after that #myki only. Myki to be removed from V/Line. And myki vending machines will be removed from trams.
4 minutes ago

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> State Government to retain Myki despite woes

GO to south-east Queensland myki-ers ....  LOL

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> Myki to be retained by Baillieu Government, contract to be renegotiated

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert_Dow Robert Dow
Myki remains in Melbourne --> http://t.co/AcWNMPF ... good, excellent product compared to the go card ... fare structure is a rippa Rita!!
1 minute ago

[somebody]

No Myki on V/Line.  Given that V/Line do some relatively short hauls, isn't that a bit of a missed opportunity?

[ozbob]

No Myki on V/Line.  Given that V/Line do some relatively short hauls, isn't that a bit of a missed opportunity?

Yes, Daniel B. is already pointing that out in Melbourne ..

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

Twitter

danielbowen Daniel Bowen
If #Myki won't work on V/line, what about trips to zone 2 V/ stations, and within regional cities, and V/ ticketholders on metro services?
8 minutes ago

[ozbob]

Published yesterday by Melbourne Times Weekly click here!

Myki may be just the ticket

Myki may be just the ticket
BY REBECCA THISTLETON
21 Jun, 2011 04:00 AM

THE government is facing mounting pressure to admit the Myki ticketing system they rubbished before last year's election is here to stay.

Despite secrecy surrounding the embattled system, speculation continues that it will be retained.

Myki top-up machines are already being placed on trams for testing. One was spotted on a

No. 86 tram last Wednesday.

A source has told MTW that to avoid a backflip on pre-election comments, the announcement that Myki was staying would be made when the government could show there were no alternatives.

In February, the government was tipped to announce its decision on Myki after accounting firm Deloitte examined the scheme. But the government commissioned a review of the report the same month.

Opposition transport spokeswoman Fiona Richardson accused Transport Minister Terry Mulder of lacking the backbone to make a decision after saying it would be scrapped if the Coalition came to power.

''Every day that this weak minister fails to make a decision on the future of Melbourne's ticketing system is costing taxpayers over $200,000,'' she said. Ms Richardson said the delay prompted the question of how many train, tram and bus services could be provided for the same amount of money.

Transport Ticketing Authority chief executive Bernie Carolan said no significant changes affecting the operation of the Myki or Metcard ticketing systems would be made until the review was complete and the tram machine had been tested.

Mr Carolan said he could not answer questions about Myki equipment costs due to contractual obligations. Mr Mulder's spokesman Paul Price provided an identical answer.

Metropolitan Transport Forum chairwoman Jackie Fristacky said the amount of investment in Myki meant a considered decision needed to be made, but given how well the system was now working, it should be adopted.

Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen said a decision needed to be made to avoid the unnecessary costs of running two ticketing systems simultaneously.

[ozbob]

Twitter

danielbowen Daniel Bowen
Sounds like V/ #Myki may still happen, but later.
4 minutes ago

================
[V/ = V/Line]

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1195&catid=5&Itemid=9

Fixing myki to get Victoria's transport ticketing system back on track

Tuesday, 21 June 2011

From the Minister for Public Transport, From the Premier

The Coalition Government will put Victoria's transport ticketing system back on track with an effective and reliable ticketing system for passengers and a financially responsible outcome for Victorian taxpayers.

Premier Ted Baillieu said extensive technical, commercial, and financial analysis of the existing system and options for Victoria's transport ticketing system has now been completed.

Since March, high-level discussions have been held with NTT Data, the new Japanese parent company of the myki contractor Kamco.

Mr Baillieu said the government's negotiating team had recently met with NTT Data in Japan to finalise discussions over the future of myki, and secured commitments to deliver the ticketing system within new parameters.

Today's announcement will enable the final negotiations for the revised contract to proceed with the local subsidiary.

"The revised contract will deliver a reliable ticketing system with strengthened project management and governance arrangements ensuring system improvements and content delivery occur on schedule and on budget," Mr Baillieu said.

"Improved project management governance and key performance measures will be a key part of the revised ticketing contract."

A third-party certifier will also be appointed to oversee the remaining build phase to ensure the system fully meets the State's and the public's requirements.

A rigorous testing and project oversight regime will also be introduced which will inform the third-party Certifier at critical evaluation points up to the end of the delivery phase.

The complexity of the project will be reduced where possible in order to provide a reliable ticketing system and reduce the risk of further unnecessary cost increases.

Changes to the initial project design will include:

    removing V/Line intercity trains and long distance V/Line coach services from the initial scope until at least steady state operations are achieved in metropolitan Melbourne and major regional centres;

    eliminating to the extent possible the introduction of disposable short-term cards, which are currently only in use on certain regional bus services; and

    operating trams without smartcard ticket vending machines (after Metcard equipment is removed).

The ticketing system will be used in Melbourne and on V/Line's 'commuter belt' to Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Seymour and Traralgon.

The government will negotiate for Metcard operations to continue until the end of 2012 to ensure that the smartcard system is working effectively and reliably for commuters before Metcard is phased out completly. This will include a Metcard removal test period.

Transport Minister Terry Mulder said the revised contract, oversight, monitoring and testing regime will ensure the chronic system and project delivery failures that have plagued Victoria's ticketing system will end and the risk of further cost blowouts will be minimised.

"Many problems with the myki ticketing system originated with the inadequate contract the Brumby Labor Government entered into which did not include appropriate governance, project management or financial controls for a project of this size and complexity," Mr Mulder said.

"As a result, the project has blown out by hundreds of millions of dollars, and experienced ongoing delays and systemic failures.

"There are no easy answers to fix the long legacy of Labor's myki mess," Mr Mulder said.

Mr Baillieu said negotiating a revised contract for the ticketing system was the most cost effective outcome for Victorian taxpayers and would allow a reliable ticketing system to be delivered in the shortest possible timeframe.

"The costs of paying out the existing contract, removing the existing system infrastructure, and funding a new system would be far higher than the funding required to make myki work," Mr Baillieu said.

"The Coalition Government will deliver a reliable, effective, and financially responsible ticketing system for Victorians."

[ozbob]

NB:

The ticketing system will be used in Melbourne and on V/Line's 'commuter belt' to Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Seymour and Traralgon.

[ozbob]

Channel 9 http://t.co/K6cwR1H

Channel 10 http://t.co/bVl1yAX

Channel 7 http://t.co/Al8dPv1

[ozbob]

From the Herald Sun click here!

Fare evasion to soar as myki gets nod

Fare evasion to soar as myki gets nod

    Ashley Gardiner
    From: Herald Sun
    June 22, 2011 12:00AM

FARE evasion will soar when the sale of tickets is axed on trams next year, the State Government has been warned.

It came as Premier Ted Baillieu yesterday confirmed the Government would persist with the troubled $1.35 billion myki smartcard system.

The Coalition opted to renegotiate the contract with operator Kamco rather than foot the estimated $1 billion bill to scrap the overdue, over-budget system it inherited from the previous Labor government.

In a move likely to upset tram travellers, ticket vending machines will not be available on trams once Metcard dispensers are removed late next year.

Mr Baillieu said more vending machines in additional locations would be provided.

"Buying tickets off vehicles is the way around the world. So that's what we would expect to happen," he said.

"They will buy tickets off trams, and there are likely to be vending machines in additional locations."

Public Transport Users Association president Daniel Bowen said the unavailability of tickets on trams would be a massive step backwards.

"(It) is likely to lead to rampant fare evasion, both deliberate and accidental, particularly in suburban areas with few retail outlets," Mr Bowen said.

"If the Government makes it even harder for people to buy a ticket, then you'll either get people not paying, or using trams less and driving their cars instead."

Rail, Tram and Bus Union state secretary Trevor Dobbyn also attacked the decision.

He said it failed to deliver for the public "and does nothing to improve fare evasion".

Mr Baillieu said the myki contract would be renegotiated. Short-term disposable myki cards will be scrapped, but an alternative for casual use is yet to be developed.

On V/Line, myki will be confined to Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Seymour and Traralgon services for the foreseeable future.

"We have determined that the system does have capacity to meet the capabilities required, but it needs to be modified," Mr Baillieu said.

He indicated there was still an exit clause for the Government if bad turned to worse.

"There will be key performance indicators and the contractors will have to perform," Mr Baillieu said.

Government sources also indicated there would be a major shake-up at the Department of Transport.

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Myki vending machines scrapped from trams

Myki vending machines scrapped from trams
Clay Lucas
June 22, 2011

PASSENGERS will be unable to buy tickets aboard trams after the myki system becomes fully operational across Melbourne at the end of next year, Premier Ted Baillieu has revealed.

The decision means myki vending machines for 500 trams, bought by the former Labor government in 2007 for several million dollars, will never be used.

After years of criticism of myki, Mr Baillieu yesterday highlighted the advantages of smartcards, and pledged to resolve myki's many issues.

Myki vending machines bought for 500 trams will never be used.

One of those issues was overcharging, which had occurred on one in 10 cards, he said.

''The system has been plagued with problems, including with the website, including top-up and accounting, checking processes, power outages, cards that were sent to dead people,'' Mr Baillieu said.

''It's our job to fix the problems. We are going to fix it.''

Despite the problems, the company selected by the previous government to build the smartcard in 2005, Kamco, will not be sacked. Instead, it will earn more from taxpayers.

Mr Baillieu said his government had begun renegotiating the contract with Kamco, which was last year bought by Japan's NTT Data. He would not disclose how much extra the government expected to pay Kamco.

After multiple delays and blowouts, the cost of myki to the public was calculated at $1.35 billion over 10 years, including operational costs. Of this, Mr Baillieu said $757 million had already been spent.

Dumping myki would have cost far more, he said. ''To scrap the system would have taken a billion-dollar-plus hit to Victorian taxpayers.''

The old Metcard system will operate across Melbourne until the end of next year, after which all commuters will need myki cards. Myki will not be installed on long-haul V/Line trains and coaches as planned, but will eventually be valid for travel on trains to Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Seymour and Traralgon. Short-term myki tickets will still be available from some outlets, but not on trams.

Asked yesterday if removing ticket vending machines from trams would hurt commuters, Mr Baillieu said: ''Buying tickets off vehicles is the way around the world, so that is what we would expect to happen.''

The government would increase the places where tickets could be bought, he said.

Yarra Trams supports the change. Removing ticket vending machines from trams will reduce the tram company's costs, boost space for passengers and reduce fare evasion issues by eliminating a key reason given for not buying a ticket.

Rail, Tram and Bus Union secretary Trevor Dobbyn criticised the myki decision, saying the government had ''wasted six months and millions of dollars to deliver less''.

Greens MP Greg Barber said removing vending machines from trams made passengers ''work a lot harder for effectively the same service''. ''Tram lines are very extensive and the places where you can buy a ticket aren't,'' he said. ''Put conductors on every tram; they would be self-funding by reducing fare evasion to nearly zero.''

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/myki-vending-machines-scrapped-from-trams-20110621-1gdkz.html

[dwb]

Of course, it was easy to see this is what was going to happen.... I presume Ballilleu has actually used it now??

[ozbob]

From the Herald Sun click here!

Conductors won't return to trams

Conductors won't return to trams

    Megan Neil
    From: Herald Sun
    June 23, 2011 12:00AM

DON'T expect conductors back on Melbourne's trams, even in the face of worries that fare evasion will soar when ticket vending machines are removed.

With the State Government opting to stick with the troubled myki public transport ticketing system, people will no longer be able to buy a ticket on a tram once Metcard machines are taken out.

That's led to suggestions of conductors being put back on trams, about two decades after they were dumped.

Transport Minister Terry Mulder dismissed that option.

"If you have a look at some of the crowds that are on trams at the moment and people getting off as they do, the thought of having a conductor with a leather bag and change and selling tickets, I'm sorry it just wouldn't work," Mr Mulder said.

Tram travellers will have to swipe their myki smartcard and the government says more vending machines will be provided in additional locations.

The Public Transport Users Association expects rampant fare evasion when people cannot buy a ticket on trams.

Premier Ted Baillieu said he did not accept that fare evasion would soar after ticket vending machines were removed.

The Coalition opted to renegotiate the myki contract with operator Kamco rather than foot the estimated $1 billion bill to scrap the system.

- AAP

[ozbob]

From the National Times click here!

Baillieu makes the right call on myki

Baillieu makes the right call on myki
June 23, 2011

THE Baillieu government's decision to retain the troubled and expensive myki ticketing system for public transport is the best in the circumstances, for two main reasons.

First, myki is less troubled than previously. The overwhelming weight of anecdotal evidence is that commuters who are using myki are happy with it, or at least getting used to it. Now that Victorians know the transition from cardboard tickets to the so-called smartcard is going to proceed despite last November's change of government, the take-up of myki can be expected to accelerate, which in itself will make easier the cultural shift that public transport users are being required to make. Indeed it may well be, as former Labor transport minister Lynne Kosky once suggested to her political cost, that in a few years myki will be so entrenched that people will wonder what all the fuss had been about.

The second reason The Age supports Premier Ted Baillieu's decision is that to abandon myki at this late stage in its introduction would result in still more cost to taxpayers.

Mr Baillieu estimates the ''hit'' to the public purse of pulling the plug on myki at $1 billion - on top of the $757 million already spent since it was announced by the Bracks government in 2005. And dumping myki now would have resulted in still more delays in moving beyond the increasingly antiquated Metcard system.

In announcing the retention of myki, Mr Baillieu gave notice of three pragmatic changes to the project. Eliminating ''to the extent possible'' the introduction of short-term cards should streamline the new system. Removing V/Line intercity train and long-distance coach services from myki until the system has proved its reliability in Melbourne and major regional centres is a sensible precaution. The most contentious change is the decision to operate trams without myki vending machines. That may cause some confusion, particularly for tourists and other visitors to Melbourne from interstate or overseas, but one benefit - extra space for passengers once the Metcard vending machines are removed - should not be discounted.

Now that the myki decision is made, the Coalition should turn its attention to the fundamentals of public transport. As Mr Baillieu used to point out in opposition, ticketing is among the least of the system's problems. He came to office promising more trains and lines, and a more efficient and accountable management structure. This government's performance on public transport will be measured by how quickly and well it implements those important policies.

I was asked to comment a number of times by Melbourne media on the myki over the past months.  I compared the myki to the go card, two systems I am very familiar with.  It was clear to me that many of the issues being raised in Melbourne were a beat up out of control to a certain extent, and I was confident and said so on radio 3AW that myki was here to stay.  Anyone who has used a go card won't have any issues with myki.  As we found in SEQ, and as Melbourne folk are realising, there is a learning curve but once there it is worthwhile.

I still think that the tram issue needs to be rethought, other than that a staged roll out on the rest of V/Line is fine.  There has been a lot of reports of Metcard starting to have issues of late as well, so timely that they are finally in gear.

[somebody]

Interesting.  Do you get much media interest in Victoria?

[ozbob]

Interesting.  Do you get much media interest in Victoria?

Not really, myki and Quiet carriage the only two items.  Happy with that though.

[dwb]

I was asked to comment a number of times by Melbourne media on the myki over the past months.  I compared the myki to the go card, two systems I am very familiar with.  It was clear to me that many of the issues being raised in Melbourne were a beat up out of control to a certain extent, and I was confident and said so on radio 3AW that myki was here to stay.  Anyone who has used a go card won't have any issues with myki.  As we found in SEQ, and as Melbourne folk are realising, there is a learning curve but once there it is worthwhile.

I still think that the tram issue needs to be rethought, other than that a staged roll out on the rest of V/Line is fine.  There has been a lot of reports of Metcard starting to have issues of late as well, so timely that they are finally in gear.

I think the Tram issue will pass, you don't need to get and keep getting a new myki like you do metcard, therefore once you've got one its fine, you can charge up on the net or lots of different places, much like here in Brisbane. Does CityGlider fail cos you can't buy tickets on board?? No, neither will the trams, and for that matter neither will Gold Coast Light Rail when it is launched without on board purchase and perhaps even validation.

What may be needed however, and that I'm guessing they WILL do, is much like what they've done here in SEQ. Install SOME busy tram stations with card dispensers and top up machines, (ie like the busway stations here and railway stations). They could get away with say 50 machines across the network, just one tenth of what they'd need if they installed one or more on each tram.

This is sensible policy.

Oh and about the metcards failing... probably half cos of the extension and who knows, maybe the govt is happy about that, they got the change of government they wanted and now they're they saviour despite having done practically nothing.

[SurfRail]

The situation is not quite as analogous as GCRT or Cityglider - the first will have ticket machines at all stations and the second has non-prepaid alternatives.  A lot of Melbourne's tram network operates where there is no other readily accessible bus or train.

BUT - I still agree with this move.  Any problems can be offset by ensuring the myki distribution chain is big enough for people to use whether they live somewhere in East Brighton on the 64 or anywhere else a bit remote.

[dwb]

The situation is not quite as analogous as GCRT or Cityglider - the first will have ticket machines at all stations and the second has non-prepaid alternatives.  A lot of Melbourne's tram network operates where there is no other readily accessible bus or train.

BUT - I still agree with this move.  Any problems can be offset by ensuring the myki distribution chain is big enough for people to use whether they live somewhere in East Brighton on the 64 or anywhere else a bit remote.

Of course it will be a bit of a culture shock, but that doesn't mean the culture doesn't need to, or won't change. I believe Ballileu will be pragmatic enough to realise they DO need to do things to make it popular/easy to use. Therefore I would highly expect that the busy stations at least will get machines at the stations (and probably before metcard is gone)... unlike in SEQ where the machines weren't installed until after huge rises on paper and removal of weeklies/monthlies.

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Tourists taken for a ride on myki

Tourists taken for a ride on myki
Clay Lucas
July 13, 2011

ALL single-use public transport tickets will be abolished by the Baillieu Government when myki replaces Metcard in 2013, leaving visitors to Melbourne and occasional train, tram or bus users unable to travel unless they have bought a smartcard.

The move will leave Melbourne as one of the only cities in the world where visitors cannot buy a short-term or paper ticket to travel if they do not have a smartcard.

Myki cards currently cost $10, not including travel, and are non-refundable.

If the government does not cut the price of the card, a visitor to inner Melbourne using public transport for two hours would be slugged more than $13 - against $3.80 for a Metcard.

The head of the government's Transport Ticketing Authority, Bernie Carolan, said the public might not yet have appreciated the full impact of the decision to abolish all short-term tickets.

''The penny may have not dropped that this is the full [abolition],'' Mr Carolan said. He said the government's transport department would spend the next 18 months preparing for the change.

After seven months of deliberation, Premier Ted Baillieu in June announced the government would keep myki, but do away with plans for smartcard vending machines on trams.

Mr Baillieu also issued a press release saying short-term tickets would be abolished ''to the extent possible'', but the impact of that decision was not well understood.

The plan to dump all short-term tickets in Melbourne was taken after a recommendation from consulting firm Deloitte, which conducted a $350,000 review of myki.

The decision will greatly reduce the complexity and expense of the smartcard system, contracted by the previous government in 2005 at a price of $1 billion over a decade. This later grew to $1.35 billion.

Transport Minister Terry Mulder said the government was acting ''on the best advice and strong recommendations''.

He said a ''solution'' for short-term public transport users would be developed before Metcard's removal.

The Opposition said the plan to remove all short-term tickets was unworkable. ''Victoria will be one of the only places in the world that doesn't offer a ticketing option for occasional public transport users and tourists,'' public transport spokeswoman Fiona Richardson said.

The Tourism and Transport Forum, which represents hotel, tourism and transport operators, supported the move, saying there would be benefits to no short-term tickets in Melbourne. ''It speeds up the transport network,'' chief executive John Lee said. Buying a ticket on a bus took up to 35 seconds per transaction, he said.

The Transport Ticketing Authority's Mr Carolan also said that before Metcard was switched off in January 2013, many more retail outlets would be selling and topping up myki cards. Cards and top-up facilities would also potentially be on sale at many other locations, he said.

Transport unions and user groups also said the dumping of short-term tickets was a retrograde step. The Rail, Tram and Bus Union argued the plan would ultimately drive many people from public transport.

The Public Transport Users Association, which last month welcomed the end to uncertainty over myki's future, also criticised the plan. President Daniel Bowen said it made sense to encourage the limited use of short-term tickets, but an alternative for occasional users had to be offered. ''It is completely unrealistic to assume that absolutely everybody will have a myki card,'' Mr Bowen said.

Social service groups such as Travellers Aid Australia expressed concern over how some people would manage without one-off tickets. Under Metcard, groups like Travellers Aid can bulk purchase tickets for people in need of support.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/tourists-taken-for-a-ride-on-myki-20110712-1hcg2.html