Re: Melbourne Ticketing System

[Michael Kurkowski <mk@netstra.com.au>]

Hi David,

>I heard briefly sometime ago the new operators of the Melbourne
>transport network wanted to overhaul the existing MetCard system. Does
>anybody have any info on this, in particular whether they intend to
>implement smart card technology?
>Thanks in advance

Chances are, the only change that will be happening is the re-introduction 
of daily tickets on trams. The Metcards themselves however, will still be 
made of that second rate low-grade thermal cardboard that they have always 
used. 

Aparently periodical tickets (i.e. yearly, semi-yearly) are made of the 
same low-grade thermal cardboard, but with a layer of plastic sandwiched 
inbetween, to stop it from falling apart. Call me wrong, but aren't you 
supposed to put the plastic coating on the outside, to protect it?

Smart card technology does exist, but only to those testing/maintaining the 
systems I believe. It doesn't look like the normal commuter will get to see 
one within the next $INFINITE_NUMBER years.

Cityrail have done their ticketing right. The magnetic stripe tickets 
released from their machines (dimensionally, identical to Metcard) are made 
of a more durable cardboard, which is printed on instead of thermally 
printed. Their periodical tickets are also plastic 'coated'.

Cityrail's ticket machines are also a lot more sensible than our Metcard 
machines. Tickets are released in the same place as the change/refund comes 
out. Two obvious advantages of this are, speed, you can collect your ticket 
and money faster than searching two different locations, and vandalism. You 
don't see the Cityrail ticket 'slot' so it is inherantly harder to 
vandalise than Metcard.

Cityrail's ticket machines also have a 'top-up' option. Insert your half-
used or used ticket, it will ask you to tender the amount of that ticket, 
enter money, then voila, you get nice shiny (!!) new ticket that has the 
full value of the equivilent new ticket + the remaining value of your 
current ticket. 

Not all is rosy with the Cityrail ticket machines however. You can only 
insert notes one way, particularly bad if the sticker indicating which way 
to insert your notes has been ripped off or vandalised. You can only insert 
10 coins at a time. What if you wanted to go from Goulburn-Scone return and 
had only (very many, admittedly) 5 cent coins? Cityrail ticket machines 
also don't sell every ticket. Ever tried to buy a Dayrover from one?

HTH

Regards

Michael

(See, I don't *always* turn NSW posts into Victorian posts!) (:

-- 
Michael Kurkowski. / Email: mailto:mk@netstra.com.au
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