Re: Yarra Trams Article in Sunday Age

["Dave Proctor" <daproc@spambait.ozemail.com.au>]

I will have to frame this post, it is 100% correct in every detail.

Dave

(post left so that those whose news servers may not have picked it up can
read it).

"whitehat" <whitehat@alphalink.com.au> wrote in message
3a77de98@news.alphalink.com.au">news:3a77de98@news.alphalink.com.au...
>
> "Thomson Family" <thomson@bigpond.net.au> wrote in message
> A1zd6.93961$xW4.719759@news-server.bigpond.net.au">news:A1zd6.93961$xW4.719759@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> >. Seems to me Hubert, that fare evasion is
> > just a function of the inadequate ticketing system that is currently in
> > place on board trams.
>
> I would have to disagree. As someone who has used public transport in
> various parts of the world, the ticketing and purchasing system is better
> than most. I agree that it could and should be improved.
>
> For instance, on a recent visit to Kuala Lumpur the trains and platforms
> were spotless. Very few staff around (who needs a tribe of cleaners when
the
> public treats the property with respect), and the trains not only had no
> guards, they had no drivers.
>
> I saw an old lady (possibly illiterate) puzzling over the ticket vending
> machine and was about to offer help. My Malaysian colleague stopped me.
> "Leave her to figure it out for herself:" she said. "It is very important
> for her dignity for her to show that she is part of the technological
> society and cope with change." It took a couple of minutes and the old
lady
> had figured it out - and presumably would have no trouble using it next
> time.
>
> By contrast, we Melbourne citizens seem to have adopted a "do-it-for-me"
> attitude. Like a spoilt child that has not got its own way on conductors
and
> privatisation, we are coming up with all sorts of petulant excuses for our
> disobedience. This is often entrenched by tram drivers and station staff
who
> have decided that protecting the revenue that pays part of their wages is
> 'not their problem'.
>
> As someone involved with the tourism industry, visitors often comment to
me
> on the friendliness and openness of Melbournians. A number, however, are
> concerned at the apparent social sanctioning of petty crime (fare evasion,
> defacement, etc) on our trains and trams. Now that this culture is firmly
> entrenched in Middle Melbourne, I suspect it will take a long time to turn
> around, and merely improving the ticketing system will not achieve it.
>
> whitehat
>
>