Re: ATM delay again (Melbourne, Vic.)

Iming Chan (translib@netspace.net.au)
Thu, 01 May 1997 08:27:36 -0700

Peter Shute wrote:
>
> On 29 Apr 1997 04:56:14 GMT, paul@xenu.ee.mu.oz.au (Paul Dwerryhouse)
> wrote:
>
> >>The system will miss the "Stage 1" deadline (30/4/97) again, due to a
> >>few bugs in the system (according to a spokesman for Transport Minister,
> >>Mr. Copper).
>
> >Doesn't worry me ... the longer it takes to get going, the better. As far
> >as I'm concerned, the automatic tickets are a complete pain in the
> >proverbial. They take take much too long to process the tickets.
> >
> >Question: how many times, when heading towards the gates at a major station,
> >have (Melbourne) people here changed directions completely in order to avoid
> >somebody trying to get their damned ticket into the ticket validator?
> >
> >Somebody please tell me that the system will be faster once it's going
> >properly. From where I stand, it looks like a *real* lame duck.
>
> I heard a bus driver tell a passenger that they were looking at a
> "swipe" type of validator. Should be quicker if you hold the card the
> right way.

Hi Peter,

I seem to recall in the early stage of the MetCard project, for regular
commuters with periodic tickets, there will be electro-magnetic (?)
tickets available which will eliminate the needs of inserting a ticket
into a validator. I also believe such ticket will be available to
blinded people. However, I don't know whether this concept still
available to be implemented at later time.

I.C.