Translink Smartcard - EPIC FAIL

[Whopper]

Perhaps maths isn't one of the Translink Smartcard teams strengths. After all, the project has gone way over budget and over schedule, and now it seems they can't even figure out improved pricing with this new "Smart" system.

You see, I catch a train on a daily basis, therefore getting a weekly ticket for me is more beneficial. I basically get 5 days for the price of 4, and I can travel on weekends from home to the city for free. (not to mention I essentially have unlimited trips between the two all day every day)

Enter the TransLink "Smart" card.

Now, if I want to use the TransLink Smartcard, I pay full fare for the first 6 journeys (3 days), then pay 50% off every subsequent journey during that week (Mon-Sun). That works out to 5 days for the price of 4. Good deal? Um, what about the free weekend travel? GONE! And they call this the "Smart Card Bonus"? Hahahah... losers...

Now what about those that catch a bus? Fear not! The "Smart Card Bonus" is here to save you as well! See, at the moment most people get 10 trip saver cards, which equates to paying for 4 days and getting the 5th free. But for those who don't catch the bus every day, or decide to walk home or get a lift, this card can last more than 1 week, thus the whole point of "10 trips". Ah, but again, the Smart Card Bonus will save you with epic savings! If you travel 10 trips within a 7 day period, you get 2 free! (same as the 10 trip saver) Oh, you want to use it over the span of more than 1 week? BZZZT! Sorry, can't do that! Too bad, so sad.

If you'd like to read more about these fantastic bonus offers from Translink, here's the URL

http://transinfo.com.au/qt/transLin....d_frequentuser

And if you'd like to read about the transport minister John Mickel patting himself on the back about how good this "Smart Card Bonus", here's the URL

http://www.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/St....aspx?id=54838

EPIC FAIL!

[dibbsy]

OK but then after your 6th journey the savings is across the entire network, which does benefit doing other legs rather than home<>work.

But you also need to consider how crappy the public transport is in Brisbane.. if you want to go across town it is probably 2 busses and a train, why would you bother just drive.

[astr0]

Be interesting to consider long term if its also a way QR can reduce staff numbers, the people that check tickets(not the inspectors, im talking the ones that wait at the gates at bigger stations central and the likes) would become pointless

If they kept the same system with the cards, I would be happy as having the 2 extra days on the weekend definitely encourages public transport on the weekends.

[Whopper]

OK but then after your 6th journey the savings is across the entire network, which does benefit doing other legs rather than home<>work.

Yeah, but lets face it. Weekends are for cars, not public transport. And even if you were to get 50% off on weekends, realistically how often would you use it? Personally I couldn't see myself going down the coast on a 50% off fare very often at all...

Be interesting to consider long term if its also a way QR can reduce staff numbers, the people that check tickets(not the inspectors, im talking the ones that wait at the gates at bigger stations central and the likes) would become pointless

The funniest thing about this whole Smartcard implementation is that they're allowing you to continue to use paper tickets. So all those gates they've installed at central are essentially useless, because they still need ticket inspectors for the paper-ticket commuters.

[spr]

Originally Posted by astr0

Be interesting to consider long term if its also a way QR can reduce staff numbers, the people that check tickets(not the inspectors, im talking the ones that wait at the gates at bigger stations central and the likes) would become pointless

If they kept the same system with the cards, I would be happy as having the 2 extra days on the weekend definitely encourages public transport on the weekends.

I found myself in a very heated (one sided) argument with the guy at my local station. Made the mistake of asking him when the smart cards came in and how i could get one. Coming back from London, the Oyster card works very well and never had an issue with it. Seems this gentleman was very worried that he would be replaced as soon as the smart cards came into play, and had done a lot of research into how crap its going to be!

I myself can't understand how they will police this at the smaller stations without installing barriers and gates like London?!

[Menu Munster]

Originally Posted by Whopper

Now, if I want to use the TransLink Smartcard, I pay full fare for the first 6 journeys (3 days), then pay 50% off every subsequent journey during that week (Mon-Sun). That works out to 5 days for the price of 4. Good deal? Um, what about the free weekend travel? GONE! And they call this the "Smart Card Bonus"? Hahahah... losers...

Now what about those that catch a bus? Fear not! The "Smart Card Bonus" is here to save you as well! See, at the moment most people get 10 trip saver cards, which equates to paying for 4 days and getting the 5th free. But for those who don't catch the bus every day, or decide to walk home or get a lift, this card can last more than 1 week, thus the whole point of "10 trips". Ah, but again, the Smart Card Bonus will save you with epic savings! If you travel 10 trips within a 7 day period, you get 2 free! (same as the 10 trip saver) Oh, you want to use it over the span of more than 1 week? BZZZT! Sorry, can't do that! Too bad, so sad.

Why not make your feelings known via:
http://transinfo.com.au/qt/TransLin.nsf/index/contactus

e-mail to friends, family and anyone you know who uses public transport (work colleagues, club/hobby members) about the loss of value (as seen above) in the upcoming smart cards.

If the e-mails are as far reaching as the pro-daylight saving petition reminder e-mail, that's a lot of noticeable opposition by voters for the transport minister to consider.

Even the bus drivers over at http://busaustralia.com/viewforum.php?f=5 think the 'dumb card' leaves many worse off.

Remember, since Translink was established and controls the fares, they have been steadily escalating each year, much faster than BCC or QR.

OzBob of backontrack.org has it right, the new cards need a 20% flat discount for each group of 10 fares and weekly & monthly options.

[astr0]

Central this morning I noticed had a lot of the gates closed this morning, which made the place very much like a stock yard since very very very few people are using the cards.

As a frequent public transport user on both weekends and weekdays unless the system is equal or better in terms of value, im not changing

[Whopper]

lol

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/s...4-3102,00.html

SOUTHEAST Queensland commuters face months of confusion after the State Government conceded it cannot introduce its new smartcard system simultaneously across the public transport network.

In an admission the system is still dogged by concerns over technology flaws, the Government yesterday announced the so-called "go cards" would only begin in some areas from next month while the introduction timetable for others remains a mystery.

The staged delivery over several months in the new year means some train and bus commuters will be able to use the cards on certain trips while other passengers won't be able to access the technology at all.

It is the latest stumble in the long-running saga of the smartcard which is now at least two years overdue despite numerous commitments to deliver it earlier.

Transport Minister John Mickel yesterday said the system's technology was being "fine tuned" to be ready by the end of this year with more extensive testing being conducted by pilot participants.

Read the rest via the link : http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/s...4-3102,00.html

[dibbsy]

Systems the same as this have been deployed in half the contries of the developed world..

Such a dissapointment.

[Whopper]

ZOMG, the incompetence of the Translink Project astounds me...

From: http://www.translink.com.au/qt/Trans.../go_travelling

topping up a registered card online

• you can use credit card only
• visit www.translink.com.au/go and follow the prompts to confirm your identity and top up your card balance on the secure site
• it may take 48 hours to process any amount you add to your card balance, so it will not be available for travel immediately.

Hahahah.

[astr0]

what if I forget to touch on or touch off?

If you don't touch on or off, the system won't be able to calculate the correct fare and will charge you a fixed fare instead. This fixed fare may be more than the correct fare for your journey.

The next time you use your go card the card reader display will show you have been charged a fixed fare. If you see this message do not touch on again, your touch has been recorded.

What ? So you touch on, it tells you that you havent touched off from last time and you have to pay $5 for adult fee. does that let you travel for the rest of the day, cause it says dont touch on again.

[Whopper]

Who knows astr0, the mystery continues....

The major flaw in all of this is that all stations aren't gated. Unlike in London where you HAVE to tap on or off to get through the gates, we have the opportunity to bypass the system completely.

For those who travel to train zones that cost more that $5 though (Gold Coast/Caboolture), the trans-link go card provides a cheap transport alternative Simply buy 2 trans-link cards and

GC -> Central - Don't tap on when you get to the station, only tap off at Central. Would this then only charge you $5?

Central -> GC - Tap on at Central to get you through the gates, but don't tap off $5

And perhaps get yourself a third go-card and deliberately short-circuit the smart card part of the card. If Mr Ticket Man comes up to you on the train and asks for tickets, simply give them the busted card and when it doesn't scan act dumb and say it worked at the station you got on at

[dibbsy]

Half assed in every way It should be QR's motto.

[eyep]

Be first on the go with go card
The dawn of a brave new world in public transport ticketing is almost upon us with the imminent release of Translink's smart card.

The pre-paid plastic "go card", as it will be known, will operate on Brisbane's bus, ferry and rail network from February.

Passengers will be able to top up their card balance on buses, at train stations, over the internet or phone, and in some newsagents and convenience stores.

But before the pre-paid plastic cards go on sale next month, Translink is offering 30 brisbanetimes.com.au readers the chance to participate in a special go card preview.

Full article here:http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news...554632728.html

[Whopper]

Hmm, do I want to

• Pay more for my weekly ticket by missing out on free weekend travel
• Not be able to pay for my ticket online without having to wait up to 48hrs

But I've entered the comp anyway

Who knows, I might even get to rant on brisbanetimes.com.au!

[eyep]

looks like you might get quite a few free rides with the new "tard card"

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/s...2-3102,00.html

SOUTHEAST Queensland's much-vaunted new smartcard system has suffered another devastating credibility blow - only a day after the Bligh Government boasted the long-overdue project was "going well" and nearing completion.

Thousands of morning peak-hour train commuters struggled to buy a ticket yesterday when all 179 high-tech TransLink smartcard machines across the CityTrain network went into meltdown for nine hours.

Besieged contractor Cubic Transportation Systems was supposed to be installing new software on a few machines overnight but instead crashed the whole system. Some machines even began spitting out Japanese to frustrated patrons.

The lack of purchase points forced Queensland Rail into an embarrassing backdown of a new fare-evasion campaign as commuters travelled free or battled queues at old machines and station windows.

[Whopper]

Now this is funny

Just talking to a mate about the "Tard Card" and what happened to him the other night when using it. Here's a rough sequence of events between him and the conductor who was on the train. We'll call him "Ken" for arguments sake:

Conductor: "Can I see your ticket please?"
Ken: "I don't have one"
Conductor: (smirks at other conductor, calls him over) "Why don't you have a ticket?"
Ken: "Because I've got this thing here" (rummages around bag and shows conductor Translink Go Card)
Conductor: (blank look. Looks front and back of card. Puzzled, unsure what to make of it) "Hmm, haven't seen one of these before. I guess it's a valid ticket. Ok, thanks" (Conductor continues on his merry way down the train asking for tickets)

Yes folks, thats right, the TICKET INSPECTOR didn't know what a Translink Go Card looked like.... I can only assume that if that's the case, it's going to be a very long time before they all have Go Card Readers.

[Whopper]

Another reason why I won't be getting a "Tard Card" anytime soon....

Purchased a daily ticket on Ferny Grove line, $6.40

Traveled to city. Later that day I had a dentist appointment in Milton, took the train, then train back into the city when done.

Dinner at Newfarm. Caught the ferry from Riverside to Newfarm, short walk, dinner.

Would the Tard Card charge the same?

[astr0]

From http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599...4-1248,00.html

Only one in five fare evaders face fines

ONLY one in five train commuters caught riding for free are being fined under the Bligh Government's much-vaunted crackdown on fare evasion.

Translink figures show 2188 commuters were caught travelling without a ticket and a good excuse in the past month, but only 407 of them were given $150 on-the-spot fines.

Translink officers instead chose to hand out 1781 warnings, costing taxpayers $267,150 in lost revenue that could have been spent on improving passenger services.

The meagre haul comes after tough-talking Transport Minister John Mickel warned commuters that soft excuses would not be tolerated when the campaign was "ramped up" on January 9.

Concerned after a $10 million annual black hole was found, Mr Mickel had insisted the crackdown was more about stricter enforcement rather than extra officer numbers.

Mr Mickel was unavailable for comment last night but a spokeswoman insisted the message was getting through because total commuters doing the wrong thing dropped from more than 2700 a month normally.

This included more than 900 fines and 1800 warnings in a month.

Opposition transport spokesman Tim Nicholls said Mr Mickel had to catch 66,259 more offenders in the next 11 months at the current rate to recoup the rest of the $10 million.

The spokeswoman said it was not about getting revenue back but about educating commuters to do the right thing.

[astr0]

Where do they get $10 million from? Assuming that the figures represented an average month

407 * $150 (fines issued) + 1781 * $150(Warnings given ie potential fines) * 12 Months = $3,938,400

Just over 1/3 of this 10M Black hole is from lost revenue

[Whopper]

It's a politically motivated number to help justify the ridiculous amount of money they're pouring into glorified ticket inspectors. (I bet those flashy new uniforms cost a pretty penny!)

You see, all ticket evaders always travel from the furtherest station, always. So once a month, x number of people travel to and from the furtherest possible destination, which is 23 zones away, at a total travel cost of $36/day.

$10mil / 365 days/year / $36 = 761 people

Therefore, 761 people get on at Gympie North every single day, evade fares at Gympie North, dodge the inspectors on the train, run through the gates at Central, then do it all again on the way back home.

Isn't that obvious?

[Whopper]

Oh Go Card, how you make me chuckle....

Friend who just moved up the coast sent this to me today. Looks like you really do have to pay for convenience if you choose to use the Go Card...

http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2008...ast-commuters/

Sunshine Coast commuters have blasted the new fee structure under the GoCard with it adding $900 a year to some train travellers costs between here and Brisbane.

"Translink are using the introduction of the GoCard to increase regular commuter train travel prices up to a staggering 23.08%,'' regular commuter Jeffrey Addison said.

"Compare your paper ticket weekly price against the Translink price list and you will find that commuters north of Glasshouse Mountains are worse off under their new scheme. This is after the claimed ‘discount’,'' he said.

The Palmwoods commuter, who travels to Brisbane to work five days a week, has even drawn up a table which he is handing out to fellow commuters to highlight the fee changes.

Mr Addison said under the changes Glasshouse Mountains gets a 6.57 % increase, Beerwah cops a 14.29% increase, while Landsborough and beyond get a massive 23% hike.

Commuters unhappy with the fares can send their complaint via the feedback form online at Translink or telephone 13 12 30

[Whopper]

If you can't beat 'em, force 'em! Looks like the brains trust at Translink are removing the ticket machines from the tunnel underneath Central station.

this machine will be removed and unavailable for ticket purchases from Sunday 22 June

Please line up for 30 minutes and purchase your ticket from the 1 man ticket office about 500m upstairs. Good luck catching that train you were hoping to get on, you'll be stuck there for at least 30 minutes! Haha!

Congratulations Translink, for removing the most widely used, timely, efficient ticket machines from your stations.

Instead you've given us those size-of-a-house bloody-awful touch screen machines that take at least three times the keypresses to achieve the same result.

"Adult -> Single -> 123" is all it took on the machines you're removing. But now we have to stand around and click "Next, Next, Next, Next" half a dozen times before we can select out station. Try and navigate using the map? Hahahah.... good luck.

But I suppose if you had a "Mo Card" you wouldn't need a ticket huh?

Damn you guys suck.... So hard...

[dibbsy]

The type of fail you can only get when you mix the public service with a rail company.

[astr0]

The big machines are probably the most useless pieces of shit QR has even come up with, for starters touch screens don't work and are often so lagged you have to press CANCEL a few times for it to start working. The change and ticket flap are below knee height ,meaning you have to bend down below a normal stretch to even retrieve your ticket, almost impossible for the elderly or women with really tight skirts (Its a great sight seeing them try )

The other thing I dont understand about all the machines is how they fail to offer the ability to choose zone, or even tell you what zone your the particular station is.

Lets say for instance I catch the Train from Auchenflower to Toowong, but want to catch the Bus back instead of the train, I am required to get a 1-2 Zone Daily but if I want to catch the train back then a 1-1 Daily is fine (Stupid considering the train station and bus stop are next to each other)

So this means I have to guess what train station/bus stop is in zone 2 by the price, which if you get it wrong you have to begin the whole process again meaning more time spent and more of a line up for other patrons. Also lets say you do make a mistake and purchase a Zone 1-1 ticket, and then realise you actually need a Zone 1-2 ticket, god forbid you can simply take the ticket to a manned trainstation (not even central will do this) and pay the difference and swap the ticket

QR = USELESS