Changes to go card ..

[ozbob]

Any official changes to the go card please post here.  Some changes e.g. nine journey cap introduction are well publicised, others are not, for example:

A couple.

Early in 2012 the user guide was updated to read:

"If all card readers are not working at a station platform, on board a bus or ferry and despite your attempts, you are unable to touch on, you can travel for free to complete your trip. You should not touch off at the end of your trip."

http://translink.com.au/resources/tickets-and-fares/go-card/120701-user-guide-part-1.pdf page 20

This is a significant change, one that was first raised by us at the old Go Card Reference group.  This means in effect that if the go card readers are out on your platform go free.  It was previously 'station,'  ....  you are no longer obliged to check every other platform in a vain attempt to find a functioning reader.

Late June 2012, maximum journey time was increased from 5 to 6 hours.

"Your journey must continue from the same
zone or adjoining zone.
There is a 1 hour time limit between transfers.
That means you must touch on to your trip
within 60 minutes of touching off at the end of
your previous trip.
You must touch on to your final trip within 3.5
hours of when you started your first trip. You
have 6 hours to complete the journey.

You can transfer up to 3 times across all zones."
http:// http://translink.com.au/resources/tickets-and-fares/go-card/120701-user-guide-part-1.pdf page 11

From 25th June 2012, 9 paid journey cap introduced.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

3rd July 2012

Some advice for go card users

Greetings,

There has been a reasonable amount of publicity concerning the introduction of the paid nine journey cap on the go card from 25th of June 2012.

What is not realised by many go card users is that should a system failure lead to a fixed fare (relatively common on buses) that journey will not be counted in determining the  free travel cap.

This can lead to people who having thought that they completed 9 paid journeys, actually haven't and find themselves paying for a journey that they thought was free.

In these circumstances the go card user should contact TransLink and seek an adjustment.

The entire fare structure for the go card needs review.

24 Jun 2012: SEQ: Time for paper to go?   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8603.0

30 Jun 2012: SEQ: Off peak fare discounts   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8664.0

1 Jul 2012: SEQ: Reduce or eliminate the fare 'flag-fall'   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8673.0

There have been some other changes to the go card that have not been well publicised.  See -->  Changes to the go card http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8683.msg103055#msg103055

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Letter to the editor published Queensland Times 9th July 2012 page 9

Fares spark confusion

[somebody]

 

[ozbob]

There was a letter to the editor Couriermail today coincidentally ( see --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=86.msg103711#msg103711 ) of a go card user who was caught short due to a problem with the 9 journey cap etc.  People make plans and then find they cannot travel because they are getting pinged .... particularly if a chain of fixed fares ...   

[ozbob]

Problems continue with the go card with people being charged fares after reaching free journey thresholds.  Daily two paid journey pensioner cap, and regular user 9 paid journey cap.  (Example see --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=432.msg104210#msg104210 ).

This has been reported to TransLink, but it is always prudent to regularly check your go card history, and seek adjustments where warranted.

[ozbob]

Go card online interface updated.

New direct login --> https://gocard.translink.com.au/webtix/

[ozbob]

TransLink need  to set up a page on their web site called ' Go Card changes '.

On this page all changes can be listed with relevant links.

What should be a no-brainer is NOT a NO-BRAINER in Queensland!

[somebody]

Go card online interface updated.

New direct login --> https://gocard.translink.com.au/webtix/

Much improved!

[Fares_Fair]

It is very good in my opinion, well done TransLink 

The default date setting is a good advancement on the former.

Only downside, in my opinion is it appears a little confusing having the on and off coloured icons (colours also a very good touch) but so far removed from the left hand side of the info lines.
If they (coloured on/off icons) were to be located at the left hand side of the Station name text, it would be much easier to read.

What do others think?


Maybe that can be improved or maybe it's because of my wide screen .... NOPE, not the wide screen.

[Golliwog]

I agree with FF about the coloured icons, good addition, but would be clearer if to the immediate left of the text. But thats a minor detail, almost not worth worrying about. The only other thing that I think could be tweaked is that the most recent day is shown first, and within each day it starts with the first trip of the day. I only mention it if you're out past midnight then the trip home (or any transfer) is shown at the top of the next days travel, which is back above the day the travel started on.

[somebody]

I agree with FF about the coloured icons, good addition, but would be clearer if to the immediate left of the text. But thats a minor detail, almost not worth worrying about. The only other thing that I think could be tweaked is that the most recent day is shown first, and within each day it starts with the first trip of the day. I only mention it if you're out past midnight then the trip home (or any transfer) is shown at the top of the next days travel, which is back above the day the travel started on.

Yeah, if they are going to show the most recent day first, it should really be in descending order of time.

[Fares_Fair]

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
07/08/2012

go card website now easier to manage

Managing a go card on-line and from mobile devices will be easier following enhancements to TransLink's go card website.
Transport and Main Roads Minister, Scott Emerson, said improvements to the website would allow passengers better accessing go card balance, check transaction history and activate auto top-up.
"From today passengers can easily move between the main TransLink website and the go card pages, making it simple to click between travel and go card information," he said.
"Almost 40,000 people use the go card website each week so it is important that we continue to improve the service to meet customers' growing reliance on mobile devices.
"The go card history page shows customers exactly where they have touched on and off, and is now easier to read and understand.
"We've also improved the clarity and size of the website's display, so viewing account balances, travel history and personal details is easier, particularly from mobile devices.
"Passengers can also report an error directly from the website, making it easier to monitor their transactions.
"The go card website now looks and feels like the main TransLink website and makes it easier for passengers to manage their go card account and benefit from the new features."

As with any change to technology, passengers are encouraged to log on and view the new site and provide any feedback and suggestions to TransLink.
For the latest service and timetable information visit the TransLink web or mobile site at translink.com.au, or phone the Call Centre on 13 12 30.

[ENDS] 7 August 2012

[Fares_Fair]

I agree with FF about the coloured icons, good addition, but would be clearer if to the immediate left of the text. But thats a minor detail, almost not worth worrying about. The only other thing that I think could be tweaked is that the most recent day is shown first, and within each day it starts with the first trip of the day. I only mention it if you're out past midnight then the trip home (or any transfer) is shown at the top of the next days travel, which is back above the day the travel started on.

It's confusing because the on icon is right next to the off time, I think it should be changed in the interests of a very simple improvement.
It'd be pretty rare for most to be out after midnight, but point noted.

[ozbob]

Nice to see a statement finally appear ..   

Good to see the ' passenger focus ' .... 

Including the new url would have been a 'smart state' move, but heck we are no longer a 'smart state' ...  clearly ...

[Golliwog]

I agree with FF about the coloured icons, good addition, but would be clearer if to the immediate left of the text. But thats a minor detail, almost not worth worrying about. The only other thing that I think could be tweaked is that the most recent day is shown first, and within each day it starts with the first trip of the day. I only mention it if you're out past midnight then the trip home (or any transfer) is shown at the top of the next days travel, which is back above the day the travel started on.

It's confusing because the on icon is right next to the off time, I think it should be changed in the interests of a very simple improvement.
It'd be pretty rare for most to be out after midnight, but point noted.

To be clear, I agree that shifting the coloured icons should be done. I just don't think it's something they need to do an update to the system for by itself. Just wait for the next update they do.

[Fares_Fair]

I agree with FF about the coloured icons, good addition, but would be clearer if to the immediate left of the text. But thats a minor detail, almost not worth worrying about. The only other thing that I think could be tweaked is that the most recent day is shown first, and within each day it starts with the first trip of the day. I only mention it if you're out past midnight then the trip home (or any transfer) is shown at the top of the next days travel, which is back above the day the travel started on.

It's confusing because the on icon is right next to the off time, I think it should be changed in the interests of a very simple improvement.
It'd be pretty rare for most to be out after midnight, but point noted.

To be clear, I agree that shifting the coloured icons should be done. I just don't think it's something they need to do an update to the system for by itself. Just wait for the next update they do.

Cheers, it's ok Golli, I'd agree with that.
I agree it's not priority one red hot urgent.