Re: Yarra Trams Article in Sunday Age

[Railvic <railvic@primus.com.au>]

Michael wrote:
> 
> Mike Alexander <michaela@microsoft.com> wrote in article
> <3a765f3f@news.microsoft.com>:
> 
> >> Because the system is set up making it hard to buy tickets....
> >
> >I walk on to the tram, push a few buttons, put some coins in a slot, and
> >a ticket comes out.
> >
> >That's not hard. In fact, I manage to do it many times a week without
> >really straining my brain at all.
> 
> Because you are educated in how the system works. You know where Zone 1, 2
> and 3 are and more importantly what they mean.

Zone system is not new in Melbourne and have been around since late 80s
or early 90s (?).  Or perhaps some people still prefer dealing with 10
"neighbourhoods" which we had in the 80s - Box Hill, Greensborough,
Inner, St. Albans, Moorabbin, Broadmeadows, Ringwood, Werribee,
Frankston and Dandenong?

> There are many people ranging from elderly and disabled people, to visitors
> to your "average white family man" who don't understand the concept of how
> the system works. The system may work fine with people who regularly use it
> but the fact remains that people who are new to it, use it infrequently or
> are visiting Melbourne will generally not have a clue on how it works.
> 
> There are many other variables to consider like frequently faulty machines
> on stations, and invisible machines on trams (i.e. the B class, and packed
> trams), inaccessible machines (visually impaired people, intellectually
> disabled people).

Machines are not faulty until someone misuses them.  I have seen
customers inserting coins in the debit card slot in the large ticketing
machines when it is clearly labelled card only.  Or during ticket
issuing stage (after inserted sufficient payment), press "Cancel"
button.  As for the latter, why don't check the screen to make sure a
correct ticket has been selected before inserting money?

Visually impaired customers have a special laminated "Blind Pass". 
Intellectually disabled customers most times have someone accompanying
them for their journey.  While other physically handicapped (eg.
wheel-chair) customers are required to purchase a ticket, but often are
not checked ...  I have a wheel-chair bound friend who purchase and
validate his ticket prior to every trip.  If he can make such an effort,
why can't customers without such a handicap?

Railvic