Commuter advocacy group Rail Back On Track is calling on Translink to fix the defects in the Go Card system
Commuter advocacy group Rail Back On Track is calling on Translink to fix the defects in the Go Card system ahead of Translink’s full paperless roll-out, scheduled for January 2010.
Rail Back On Track spokesman Robert Dow argues a daily fare and a periodical ticketing option must be introduced as interim measures.
“As we are on the threshold of a punitive fare price increase in paper ticketing from January 2010 with the eventual removal of all paper ticketing by the end of 2010, it is essential that the Go Card system be fixed as commuters move to the go card,” he says.
“There are problems with equipment that is failing, screens on a lot of the touch devices on railway stations have deteriorated such that essential information for the user is unable to be read.”
Dow says the beeps are often not heard – because of failure or background noise.
“Similar problems are experienced on the buses,” he says. “Failures are frequent and the beeps are often missing.
“Despite the spin, there is a significant learning curve with the go card for many users and in some cases it will be extremely difficult for some to use the system without copping serial fixed fare penalties with the current state of the system.”
Translink Chief Executive Peter Strachan told The Brisbane Times he is satisfied the overwhelming majority of machines are working.
He says Translink is aware of evidence of moisture penetration inside the screens of Go Card readers and will monitor the situation.
Translink has contacted Go Card contractor Cubic to discuss possible improvements – to see if modifications can be made to keep water and sun out.