Myki - articles and discussion

[Gazza]

I just reckon those touch screen units that a few trams had trialled are way over the top for the task at hand.

Have a machine (And reduce the cost of the card for goodness sake), drop in say $5 worth of coins, it spits out a card with enough credit for a 1 zone tram trip (Since the whole tram network is within Z1 and the overlap zone), go to the reader, touch it on. Simple.
If you have to do a return trip that requires finding a place to top up before boarding, but at least people cant complain about getting one.

[ozbob]

From the Herald Sun click here!

Thousands of commuters have to buy new myki cards as their smart card is set to be 'deactivated'

Thousands of commuters have to buy new myki cards as their smart card is set to be 'deactivated'

    Amelia Harris
    Herald Sun
    December 04, 2012 5:50PM

BREAKING NEWS: THOUSANDS of Victorians will have to buy a new myki as their smart card is set to be "deactivated''.

A leaked memo obtained by the Herald Sun reveals cards that are four years old will be turned off in coming weeks.

Commuters can only get a free replacement card at the PTV Hub at Southern Cross Station or must buy a $6 card and fill out a form to have the cost reimbursed and have their myki money transferred.

Those in country areas are set to be hit first as early as next week. Geelong will be the first regional town impacted followed by commuters in Ballarat, Bendigo, Seymour and the Latrobe Valley.

"The myki ticketing system has been operating for almost four years on a number of regional town buses and cards purchased by passengers when the system began will soon begin to expire,'' the Public Transport Victoria memo sent to staff last Thursday said.
Digital Pass - $5 weekend papers

Next will be the thousands cards that belong to Melburnians who registered for a free myki ahead of the smartcard starting on the metropolitan train network in December 2009.

"This time next year there will be a swag of them that will expire,'' one transport source said.

It is the last saga in the overtime, over budget system which has now cost taxpayers $1.5 billion.

Commuters with a registered myki card will be contacted and told their card is set to expire.

Those with unregistered cards will not be contacted but can view the expiry date of their myki using a myki machine or myki check.

Expired cards cannot be used on public transport or have money added to them.

A card expiry question and answer sheet which accompanied the memo said in the future it would be possible to replace an expired card at a train station.

"Myki cards currently expire four years from the point of card issue. PTV is investigating ways to extend this time,'' the sheet said.

Registered users are required to request a new card  "to ensure (it) is sent to the correct person and correct address''.

The Herald Sun has sought comment from PTV and the Transport Ticketing Authority, the agency responsible for myki.

Melbourne will become a myki-only city on December 29.

TTA chief executive Bernie Carolan defended the situation, saying many other cards Victorians carried expired.

"Customers with a registered card which is soon to expire are being contacted by customer service staff to explain the replacement process,'' Mr Carolan said.

"To ensure they aren't caught out with an expired card and can't travel, we advise passengers to register their myki and keep their contact details up to date.

"Extensive marketing and customer communications will be undertaken when larger numbers of cards are due to expire – initially this will occur at a local level for the regional bus networks."

Opposition transport spokeswoman Fiona Richardson said the government had gone out of its way to make myki worse, particularly for regional commuters.

"Mulder's Myki is now an administrative burden for commuters and the Liberals decision to scrap short term tickets has only made things worse,'' she said.

[SurfRail]

Wow.

[Golliwog]

That's dumb. As I recall, adult go cards have a 10 year expiry (concessions expire when the concession card does) but this can be reset by contacting a retailer/Translink. No need to turf the card (unless it's an expired student card).

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Myki cards nearing four-year expiry date

[ozbob]

Waking up in Geelong blog --> Broken promises from Myki

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Myki a key cause for complaint among commuters

[somebody]

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/public-transport-fares-to-rise-again-20120606-1zwqp.html

Allegedly 5% + CPI fare rises were planned for 1 Jan 2013.

To my way of thinking, it's not all bad.  Limiting growth in crowding and increasing funds available for upgrades are positive aspects to their higher fare stategy.

[ozbob]

Twitter 11 Dec

Daniel Bowen ‏@danielbowen

Usually by now they've announced the January PT fare rise. Still considering CPI+5%, or hoping to put it out in silly season? #SpringSt

[ozbob]

Twitter

PTUA ‏@ptua

Ch7 News has just reported that public transport fares will jump 7% from January. #SpringSt

[somebody]

Can't say I'm surprised about that.

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> Public transport fares to rise in 2013

PUBLIC transport fares will rise by 7 per cent on New Year's Day in the latest blow to commuters.

The price hike will mean a daily Zone 1 myki fare will increase by 46c to $7.02, costing a commuter up to $168 extra a year ...

[ozbob]

Depending on the ticket type, fares in Melbourne have gone up around 20 - 25% over the past 5 years including the 7% increase for 2013.

Fares in SEQ have gone up 72.5% in the same time period (assuming the 7.5% increase January 2013).

[ozbob]

myki, V/Line and regional town bus fares will rise by an average of 6.8 per cent from Tuesday, 1 January 2013.

http://ptv.vic.gov.au/news/news-promotions/changes-to-public-transport-fares-from-1-january-2013

Changes to public transport fares from 1 January 2013
Date Published: Thursday 13 December 2012

myki, V/Line and regional town bus fares will rise by an average of 6.8 per cent from Tuesday, 1 January 2013.

The increase in revenue will help fund a wide range of public transport improvements including new trains, new stations and improved maintenance that will help deliver improvements to the network.

Discounted tickets for seniors, students and people travelling on the weekends and public holidays will continue to be available.

Victorian Student Passes will also continue to be available. A Yearly Student Pass will cost $489 and a Half Yearly Student Pass will cost $255.

Application forms will be available in early January 2012 from student passes, Premium Stations, the PTV Hub at Southern Cross Station or by calling 1800 800 007 6am – midnight daily.

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/5667-labors-next-public-transport-fares-increase-to-take-effect-from-1-january-2013.html

Labor's next public transport fares increase to take effect from 1 January 2013

Thursday, 13 December 2012
From the Minister for Public Transport

In 2010 the previous Labor Government announced public transport fare increases to take effect from 1 January 2012 and 1 January 2013.

Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder said Labor's legacy of New Year's Day headaches for Victorian public transport users will result in public transport fares rising by 6.8 per cent on 1 January 2013.

"Labor left behind fare increases and a public transport system that was failing Victorians," Mr Mulder said.

"The good news is that the Victorian Coalition Government is delivering improvements to fix Victoria's public transport network. We've delivered more than 1,000 new train services, improved service reliability, invested in new trains and delivered a record $270 million maintenance program to repair the system that Labor neglected.

"In 2013, public transport users will also benefit as the Coalition Government delivers more new Metro X'Trapolis trains and the first of the new Bombardier low floor trams.

"Labor created a totally unfunded transport plan and then announced fare rises that hit the hip pocket of public transport users hard but wouldn't raise a fraction of the funding required for the most basic road upgrade.

"The fictional nonsense of Labor's Fiona Richardson today claiming that their fare rises could fund a multi-billion dollar fantasy plan is farcical and an insult to public transport users," Mr Mulder said.

The changes will see a metropolitan daily myki full fare cap rise between 32 and 76 cents, with the increase for two hour fares ranging from 16 to 38 cents.

Discounts for seniors, concession card holders, tertiary and school students, and children will continue next year.

Additionally the weekend and public holiday myki cap will be just $3.50, allowing all day travel in zones 1 and 2 for a low price.

Victorian Seniors Card holders using myki can also enjoy unlimited travel in zones 1 and 2 for $3.80 per day and free travel on Saturdays and Sundays.

The state-wide Victorian Student Pass will remain at less than $1.50 per day, with a yearly ticket costing $489.

See attached table for public transport fare changes.

Download PDF 210.45 KB

[#Metro]

"Labor created a totally unfunded transport plan and then announced fare rises that hit the hip pocket of public transport users hard but wouldn't raise a fraction of the funding required for the most basic road upgrade.

"The fictional nonsense of Labor's Fiona Richardson today claiming that their fare rises could fund a multi-billion dollar fantasy plan is farcical and an insult to public transport users," Mr Mulder said.

LOL. Sounds a lot like Fantasy SEQ 2031, the 15% rises in Queensland. A plan is something that has a decent chance of getting done. Like a building plan or an attack plan or a putting your child through uni plan. A PROPOSAL is just stuff you thought of in the shower and might (or might not) happen...

[SurfRail]

Propaganda 101 here.

Blame the ALP because they inherited the fare increases from them (which the Libs can actually stop if they were really so inclined).

Bignote themselves for delivering more Xtrapolis trains and the E class trams (beneficial projects they inherited from the ALP).

It's hard to believe they think people are actually this stupid, but maybe they are not far from wrong.

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

State breaks own rule on paper myki ticket a second time

State breaks own rule on paper myki ticket a second time
December 27, 2012
Adam Carey

THE Baillieu government has made an exception to its ruling that there will be no short-term myki tickets on Melbourne's public transport, just days before the Metcard system is to be shut down.

Paper myki tickets will be sold on two bus routes on the Mornington Peninsula after it was found some concession card holders would be charged between $1.42 and $5.22 more using myki than Metcard, because buses operate in zones 2, 3 and 4.

It is the second time the government has made an exception to its decision to scrap short-term tickets, following the issuing in July of a disposable myki day pass for charities.

Public Transport Users Association president Tony Morton said the release of short-term myki tickets in limited circumstances meant they could operate alongside the wider system. ''This is proof positive that paper tickets can be made to work alongside myki,'' he said.
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''Given the system can accommodate this option, it should be made available to occasional travellers, visitors and tourists who neither want nor need to pay $6 for a myki card that won't be used again for months.''

His group is lobbying the government to reverse its decision to eliminate disposable short-term tickets, warning it will make travel less convenient and increase fare evasion.

The government chose to scrap short-term tickets from myki last year after a review by accounting firm Deloitte. It also chose not to put myki vending machines on trams, meaning from Saturday it will not be possible to buy a ticket on a tram.

It will not publish the review, a decision that is being challenged in court by Victorian Greens leader Greg Barber.

Dr Morton predicted new anomalies would emerge that would require further compromises on short-term tickets.

''These cracks will keep appearing, it basically tells you that there will always be paper tickets operating alongside the myki system,'' he said. ''The government doesn't want to admit it, because it would collapse their rationale for not allowing regular passengers to also use paper tickets with the myki system, if that's what their travel needs suggest is the best option for them.''

Metcard will be consigned to history after the last service on Friday. But late last week one in five Melbourne bus passengers were still using Metcards, a much higher rate than on trains and trams. Almost three-quarters of Melbourne bus passengers are students or seniors.

''In Melbourne ... we don't have a lot of use of buses by full-fare travellers, which arises from the fact that the bus system is not all that competitive with car travel,'' Dr Morton said.

Bus Association chief executive Chris Lowe strongly advised bus passengers to switch to myki before Saturday.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/state-breaks-own-rule-on-paper-myki-ticket-a-second-time-20121226-2bwh1.html

[ozbob]

Myki rage in full swing --> http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/state-breaks-own-rule-on-paper-myki-ticket-a-second-time-20121226-2bwh1.html#comments

[#Metro]

Melbourne's Myki is significantly slower at being recognised by the readers. Go Card seems to be recognised much faster.

A major difference between Melbourne and Brisbane - when topping up Brisbane wont allow you to mix and match coins and you can only load discrete amounts on to GoCard - i.e. $10, $20, $50 but not 5c, $11, $13.50 etc. Myki in Melbourne allows you to dump whatever coins and cash you have and this is much simpler - you can add as little or as much as you like. There's also no selection screen, it just assumes that you want to load when you touch the card and also shows you the balance as well, here you have to poke the screen multiple times = more time wasted with GoCard.

Overall I think GoCard as a technology is better, faster, more responsive. The fare structure in Melbourne however is better as it is much cheaper, simpler zones (just 2) and you can buy passes which are heavily discounted as well. Rail frequency is also much better overall than Brisbane, so the value for money is also much better in Melbourne. On a clear day it is sometimes possible to see the next train at the station before yours, your train at your station in front of you, and the train in front of your service at the next station on the line. Amazing!! Oh, and they have heaps and heaps of readers in Melbourne at train stations, like five or six! So you never get huge queues like here.

[ozbob]

7 News Melbourne --> Myki only ticket in Melbourne from weekend

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Nostalgia validated as myki steams over tickets to ride

Nostalgia validated as myki steams over tickets to ride
December 28, 2012 Vince Chadwick

SATURDAY will be the first day since 1885 that Melburnians have been unable to buy a ticket on a tram.

As the $1.5 billion myki system becomes the only way to use the city's public transport system, passengers have transferred around $400,000 value from their outgoing Metcards.

Transport Ticketing Authority chief executive Bernie Carolan, says most of the hardware, metals and computer components from Metcard machines will be recycled, while other items are kept for museums.

Public Transport Victoria is offering to match every dollar on unused Metcards with a donation to The Smith Family or The Big Issue.

Meanwhile, others are asking up to $1000 for Metcard collections on eBay.

Former tram conductor Gary Davey reckons they are dreaming. The 57-year-old assistant bus operations manager boasts a ticket collection in the hundreds of thousands to go with buses and railway inspection trolleys on his 10-acre property at Drouin, east of Melbourne.

''It's almost like a journey back in time,'' Mr Davey says. ''I've got a train ticket and you look at it and think 'that was issued to somebody in 1884 on a steam train in Bendigo'.''

He thought the Metcards would boost his superannuation, ''but no one is really interested in them''.

Melbourne auctioneer Charles Leski says the big ticket items are early rail passes. In the late 19th century state MPs received first-class, gold-embossed, leather-bound, annual tickets, which still fetch several hundred dollars.

Mr Davey says he will miss the way Metcards reminded Melburnians of upcoming events. ''Not only were they collectable or interesting designs, they were also an information system.''

Mr Davey has a myki like everyone else, but not by choice. He points to Rome as proof Metcards are not outdated, and bristles at having to illegally travel to a manned station and pay another six dollars to replace his forgotten myki.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/nostalgia-validated-as-myki-steams-over-tickets-to-ride-20121227-2bxtc.html

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> Myki boss admits smartcard is a 'bit clunky' as tourists say it dumbfounds them

[ozbob]

3AW --> Melbourne braces as Myki takes up over

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/nostalgia-validated-as-myki-steams-over-tickets-to-ride-20121227-2bxtc.html#comments

[ozbob]

 

--> http://tumblargh.com/post/37783914358/brisbane-perth-adelaide-sydney

[ozbob]

The Myki User --> The Final hours of Metcard

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> No myki mercy for fare evaders, warns Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Metcards a piece of Melbourne history

Metcards a piece of Melbourne history
December 29, 2012 - 10:45AM

At 2.30am on Saturday, a tram travelling from Luna Park in St Kilda to Malvern depot sold Melbourne's last Metcard as the switchover to myki became official.

Public transport users must now carry a myki on trains, trams and buses, or face fines for fare evasion.

A spokesman from the Transport Ticketing Authority told ABC radio that inspectors would be on their regular rounds and while they would not "capitalise" on the changeover, they would not accept not having a myki as an acceptable excuse for not carrying a valid ticket.
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Metcard validating machines at train stations, which were introduced in 1996, are now bearing "out of service" stickers, and vending machines have been switched off ahead of their removal from stations.

The changeover means that tourists and other infrequent users of public transport must pay $6 for a myki card – $3 if they are a concession card holder or senior – prior to loading their fare on the card.

To help tourists, myki tourist packs will be sold at Melbourne Airport and on the Skybus. Bus drivers on some routes will carry a limited number of pre-loaded myki cards for passengers who find themselves caught short away from a myki retail outlet.

The controversial $1.5 billion ticket system has been plagued by cost overruns, technical failures, and its inability to offer cheap short-term tickets for tourists.

It also means that passengers are unable to buy a ticket on a tram, the first time this has happened since the tram network opened in 1885.

Myki cards can be bought and topped up at premium train stations, selected tram stops, and over 800 retail outlets such as 7-Elevens.

The changeover comes as public transport fares are set to increase on January 1. A full-day myki fare in zone 1 will increase from $6.56 to $7, while weekly tickets will increase by $2.20 to $35.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/metcards-a-piece-of-melbourne-history-20121229-2bzy6.html#ixzz2GPY5OtXo

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Metcard turned off, myki a turn-off

Metcard turned off, myki a turn-off
December 30, 2012 John Elder and Maris Beck

THE Public Transport Hub in Southern Cross Station had the nervy mood of a border crossing on Saturday as a stream of new arrivals to Australia was schooled in the mandatory ways of myki. Metcard machines throughout Melbourne were turned off this weekend as myki became the only way to go on public transport.

''I just so tired,'' said Lixia Zhou, 23, who had just arrived from China and was desperate to catch a tram to a backpackers in St Kilda. She was staring forlornly at a registration form when a worker advised she simply needed to pay $14 in cash for a visitor's pack that would buy her a card and a day's travel.

''What I do when finish?'' Ms Zhou had the idea she would need to return to the hub each day for another pack, just as some countries require tourists to register at the local police station.

This poignant scene of confusion was eclipsed by the stumbling arrival of Glynn Brien, a pensioner in a panic. ''I need a senior's card!'' he shouted.

A PTV Hub worker named Norman advised there was a form to fill out.

''A form? I need it now!'' Mr Brien demanded.

''You can have it now,'' answered Norman, who then turned and said: ''See how patient we have to be?''

Also headed for St Kilda was the Herrli family from Bern in Switzerland - Madeleine, Stefan and children Malanga, Ravel and Lia.

''For us it was a bit complicated. I expected a simpler system,'' said Madeleine. ''And quite expensive.''

The frustrating thing was having to ask for advice. In Switzerland, there are diagrams that are apparently easy to follow.

A female interstate visitor simply complained: ''I'm used to Adelaide stuff.''

Two friends from Doncaster held opposing views. Suan Meng Joon gave the myki system a thumbs up. ''More convenient,'' he said.

However, his friend Kim Yeoh said he preferred the Metcard system.

''To me it's a bit complicated,'' he said. ''With Metcard you pay $3.80 and that's it. No clock in, clock out.''

At the Footscray railway station, Louise Slee laughed hopelessly when asked about myki. ''I have no idea what I'm doing with it,'' she said as she rushed onto the train. But the train was a V/Line service to Geelong - one of the few inter-urban trains that will not accept myki until next year.

On the same platform, 90-year-old Catherine Ensor asked: ''Myki? Something new is it?''

Once she realised it was the name of her little green card, she said her daughter had told her how to use it. ''She tells me everything.''

Angelique Nzabanita, 22, said she got one five months ago but it was ''terrible''. ''You touch on and forget to touch off. I lost like $30.''

There was little mercy for fare evaders on Saturday, with passengers at Footscray saying they had seen a group of uniformed men holding a myki-less man to the ground. We can't call the men ''ticket inspectors'' because there are no longer tickets for sale.

Meanwhile, Hamado Jim, 27, said if he got caught, he did not care. ''I don't have myki,'' he said. ''I don't have a job. I never pay for a ticket.''

The director of customer service at Public Transport Victoria, Alan Fedda, said: ''The first day of myki being the only ticket that can be used on Melbourne's trains, trams and buses has gone well, with no challenges reported.''

Welcome to Melbourne.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/metcard-turned-off-myki-a-turnoff-20121229-2c0kv.html

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Contract changes profit myki

Contract changes profit myki
December 30, 2012 Maris Beck and Ben Butler

THE operator of myki has reported a dramatic profit turnaround after a "major contractual change" to its agreement with the state government - and it says more changes are being negotiated that will ''ensure it is able to operate commercially''.

But the state government has refused to say what contract changes were made and whether the contract price has increased further.

Myki's operator, Japanese-owned consortium Kamco, already has a $1.52 billion contract for implementing and operating its smartcard technology for 10 years - about three times the initial 2005 contract price of $494 million.

The company recorded a $6.6 million profit last year after posting losses in its previous three reports, including a $52 million loss in 2010, according to financial statements lodged with corporate regulator ASIC.
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The report also reveals that fresh negotiations are under way and said the company's contract revenue was about $117 million in the 15 months to March 2012, almost twice the $63 million contract revenue it earned in the 12 months to December 2010. The only other time Kamco has posted a profit since it gained the myki contract in 2005 was during the 2007 reporting period.

Kamco does not publish its financial results on its website. But it is required to reveal aspects of its finances to ASIC. The directors' report filed to ASIC last August said the company's changed state of affairs included a contractual change signed in November 2011 called "Amending Deed 5" to ''enact the government review outcomes and revised delivery schedules to achieve completion of project delivery''.

It said: ''Kamco and the TTA [Transport Ticketing Authority] have started discussions on Amending Deed 6 to redefine the services required to operate the myki ticketing system. This includes a range of contract amendments with the aim of delivering an operating structure that meets future needs of the state while ensuring Kamco is able to operate commercially.''

The references raise questions about whether Kamco has received an increased payment or is required to provide services that cost less, or both, as a result of changes made.

They are not the first questions about myki the state government has declined to answer. It has previously refused to release a ''warts and all'' review of myki that it commissioned from accountants Deloitte in December 2010 after it came to office.

A government spokeswoman took a swipe at the previous Labor government for signing an ''inadequate contract'' and said the government's negotiations to finalise an operating contract with Kamco were continuing.

''The ... government is seeking to achieve best value for Victorian taxpayers,'' she said. ''The revised contract will deliver strengthened project management and governance arrangements ensuring system improvements and content delivery occur on schedule and on budget.''

Although the Kamco report cites the TTA as the body it is negotiating with, questions to the TTA were referred to the Department of Treasury. The TTA annual report for 2010-11 attributes responsibility to the Treasurer, who by ministerial order was directed to lead negotiations with Kamco from June 2011.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/contract-changes-profit-myki-20121229-2c0iu.html

[ozbob]

From News.com.au click here!

Commuter confusion for myki's first day as stand-alone ticket system

Commuter confusion for myki's first day as stand-alone ticket system

    Annika Smethurst
    Sunday Herald Sun
    December 30, 2012 12:00AM

CONFUSION reigned for myki's first day as a stand-alone ticket system for Melbourne commuters yesterday - but there were no reports of big disruptions.

Minor issues were reported, with myki scanners on some buses and trams reportedly not working.

Angry commuters were also caught out ticketless on trams, got stuck in stations after failing to touch on correctly and purchased incorrect passes because of "baffling" new ticketing rules.

Travellers, including tourists, were also forced to return to stations to purchase a myki pass with no machines available on trams to top up or buy a myki card.

Public Transport Victoria customer service director Alan Fedda said the first day had gone well.

Mr Fedda said myki use in recent weeks had accounted for about 95 per cent of all ticket validations.

"The first day of myki being the only ticket that can be used on Melbourne's trains, trams and buses has gone well, with no challenges reported," he said.

But Public Transport Users Association president Tony Morton said even more complications emerged yesterday.

Mr Morton said some people were caught out ticketless on trams, myki scanners were sub-standard and tourists were likely to be "taken by surprise" by the new ticketing system.

Struggling with the myki system at Flinders St Station, Canadians James Martin, 33, and Carly Steven, 28, said it was more confusing than overseas systems, such as the Oyster card in the UK.

Mr Martin had to buy a seven-day pass when he only required a day pass to visit the Puffing Billy Railway.

"The multiple top-up systems are confusing - there's myki money and a myki pass and not much direction as to the best option," he said.

He said a single day pass would be easier than estimating the cost per journey.

Peter Crosland, 66, of Chelsea, said the system was a nuisance, and too expensive and complicated.

"The biggest flaw is that you have to pay $6 to buy a myki card if you are just a person in transit or in the city for the day," Mr Crosland said.

"Tourists are coming to Melbourne to spend up big, eat out, go shopping, and then get stung with $14 for a return trip to the city."

Elderly couple Shirley and Yost Peyhrr, of Beaumaris, were trapped at the gates and questioned by inspectors at Flinders St because they did not touch on their myki cards correctly.

Transport Minister Terry Mulder did not return calls for comment.

Read more: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/top-stories/commuter-confusion-for-mykis-first-day-as-stand-alone-ticket-system/story-e6frfkp9-1226545090639#ixzz2GSx6QdCd

[STB]

Tough love for the Melbournians.  Love it! 

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Myki interest payments to offset transport costs

Myki interest payments to offset transport costs
December 31, 2012 Henrietta Cook

THE state's ticketing authority has more than doubled the interest it earns from millions of dollars stored on commuters' myki cards.

As commuters fumbled with myki cards, which became the sole ticketing system on Saturday, the Transport Ticketing Authority said the hundreds of thousands of dollars it reaped in interest would be used to ''offset the cost of public transport systems''.

About $27 million of myki money is stored on the smartcards, compared with $12 million nine months ago. Last financial year, the authority retrieved $404,000 in interest from money stored on commuters' cards, up from $150,000 the previous year. In the past five months, as commuters have flocked to the new stand-alone ticket system, the authority has reaped $306,000 in interest.

A spokesman said the interest was returned to the project budget and reduced ''the need to call upon the general pool of taxpayer funds''.

Myki money is held in a transport authority bank account, which earned an interest rate of about 3.25 per cent over the past six months.

When a passenger touches on with myki money, the cash is processed and distributed to transport operators and the Department of Transport.

Myki pass top-ups are immediately split between the department and operators.

Public Transport Users Association president Tony Morton said the interest money really belonged to commuters. ''It doesn't seem fair.''

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/myki-interest-payments-to-offset-transport-costs-20121230-2c1h7.html

[SurfRail]

This is why I have so much scorn for the PTUA.

$400,000.00 in interest divided by 600,000,000 trips on bus, rail and trams translates into about $0.00067 per trip.  Just how the hell do they think this could rationally be distributed other than the way it is already being done?

[#Metro]

This is why I have so much scorn for the PTUA.
$400,000.00 in interest divided by 600,000,000 trips on bus, rail and trams translates into about $0.00067 per trip.  Just how the hell do they think this could rationally be distributed other than the way it is already being done?

Groan. Tell me about it! It's like they don't think sometimes... bring on rail to Rowville... LOL...

[ozbob]

Twitter

myki mate ‏@mykimate

@ptua Melbourne buses now sell myki Starter Packs - $10 for full fare (incl. $4 credit) & $5 for concession/seniors (incl. $2 credit).

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Myki: disaster from touch on to touch off


Response to this article ..

--> http://themykiuser.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/a-response-to-russell-marks.html

[ozbob]

Things That Are Cheaper Than Myki

--> https://sites.google.com/site/cheaperthanmyki/home

[somebody]

Things That Are Cheaper Than Myki

--> https://sites.google.com/site/cheaperthanmyki/home

Quite funny.