Roll Call

["Al" <alpout@optusnet.com.au>]

Just thinking that it's about time that we had a roll call in the group to see
where everyone's coming from (passenger, user, employer, employee etc) and
what their background is.

I'll start.  Alex, 22, live in East Maitland, use trains to get to/from uni at
Warabrook, with the odd longer trip thrown in (Sydney and beyond).  I've also
had an interest in trains my whole life, starting with models when I was still
wearing nappies and progressing through to the stage where I chose my career
(engineering) based on doing something in transport.

There also seems to be two trains of thought (pardon the pun) about trains,
and public transport in general, one being the users' view of "Why can't my
train run on time/run more often/run express/go direct to where I want etc",
while on the other hand is what I'd call the blinkered management view of
"Adapt to our system if you want to use it".  OK, I agree that there are going
to be certain conditions placed on using a train for travel, but so there are
with driving (road rules), flying (try getting on a plane without a ticket),
and sailing/shipping (red means stop, green means go, ie you have to give way
to vessels on your starboard (right) side).  The point I'm trying to make is
that some compromise has to be reached between those providing the service and
those using it.  Opinions?

Finally, a ticketing idea which would reduce fare evasion quite substantially,
but would probably cost a fair bit to implement (thinking of CityRail here).
Firstly, have barrier gates at all stations.  Secondly, before going through
the barrier, the passenger must take a blank ticket, which is then validated
(for want of a better term) with the start point and time.  Finally, when the
destination is reached, the ticket is put into the barrier again, which
calculates the fare based on starting and finishing station.  If a token cost
is put on the blank ticket, say $5, then at the destination, change is given
or more money required to get out.  (If no money is presented within a given
time, say 2 minutes, then a fine is issued).  The same ticket could be used
for daily, weekly, or longer periods, as the amount owing is recalculated
according to how many times a ticket is used between the stations, so it would
get cheaper per trip the longer you use the ticket for.  It could also be used
between any two stations, and if a network is used, then it works like a
TravelPass or Zone 1-2-3 Metcard.  It would also save money by not requiring
as many tickets or inspectors, and reduce the litter problem caused by tickets
(are magnetic stripe tickets recyclable?).  Finally, throw in pre-payment of
credit (like a photocopy card or an E-tag) and let people go until that's all
used up.  Who's for and against?

--
Al Pout

Men are from Earth.

Women are from Earth.

Deal with it.