5 November 2010

MyWay or FreeWay?

| johnboy
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myway ticket machine

Owen has been out on the buses and noticed there might be a problem with the siting of the new MyWay ticket machines:

This MyWay ticketing device is behind the drivers compartment, and out of sight of the driver.

Wonder how they can enforce passengers to use it, looks like a great scheme for free bus rides.

Saw one on a green bus that was more appropriately positioned.

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I have been accepted/selected (deemed fit?!?) to trial this new system.
Trial starts Mon Dec 6…
–watch this space–

Wow…I’ve only been gone 6 months and look what they implement. Sounds like the swipe on/swipe off deal they have here in Brisbane with the Go Card which can be used on buses, trains, and citycats. Have to say it works pretty well.

Gantz said :

In his opinion, he believes ACTION drivers are not responsible for way people use the machines, whether that be using a concession when you dont hold a concession card etc or jumping aboard for free.

The concession details will be loaded into the MyWay card, so there won’t be any argument about whether a passenger is eligible for a concession fare – or whether it’s peak or off-peak.

Sammy said :

I assume it just provides some type of audible feedback as to a successful ticket scan?

Correct. It will also have a distinct beep/multiple beeps for an unsuccessful tag on.

ACTION already knows of bus services that are so overcrowded the bus regularly drives past people waiting at the stops. Yet they are unable to increase buses to those routes cos they have no extra buses or drivers.

So if they can’t fix problem’s blind freddy could see, what makes them think they will be able to do anything useful with more finely calibrated passenger info.

It will probably just provide nifty facts and figures for press releases. And slow passengers down as they swipe off.

There’s also ticketing devices installed at the rear door of the bus. I don’t see this is a problem, it’s a change in the way that ticketing is enforced. I’d dare say you’ll see more inspectors on the buses as a result as well.

The advantage of this for ACTION is that the system captures much more information about passenger’s travel habits. It’s a swipe on and off system, so ACTION can track where a specific passenger gets on and off and at what time, aggregate the data and adjust the bus network and services accordingly.

Civil rights activists might be up in arms about it, but if it improves ACTION’s service, I’m all for it.

JC said :

Shhh, don’t tell anyone, but in some countries people are allowed to board through the back doors and are trusted to use machines like this to pay. Why it would be a problem having these where they are is beyond me.

Our drivers can’t be trusted not to run people over if they use the back door.

Audible confirmation of the successful scanning, or notifies the driver of the type of ticket scanned on their unit? I’m sure they won’t be losing any more money than they are with the current system anyway.

Shhh, don’t tell anyone, but in some countries people are allowed to board through the back doors and are trusted to use machines like this to pay. Why it would be a problem having these where they are is beyond me.

A few random in spections during the first few weeks and then sporadically after that?

I assume it just provides some type of audible feedback as to a successful ticket scan?

I recently spoke to an ACTION driver, and the decision of where to place the new ticket machines on the older buses, and the obvious problems that could occur.

In his opinion, he believes ACTION drivers are not responsible for way people use the machines, whether that be using a concession when you dont hold a concession card etc or jumping aboard for free.

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