Firstly the new ticketing system. Although it has been done to death
in other threads I want to add my two bobs worth, from an infrequet
(albeit knowlegable after following this N/G) visito to Melbourne.
- I would have to agree with the general concensus that the onboard
TVM on trams should take notes, and issue daily tickets. Somone in
support of coin only raised the point that all tickets are only a few
coins, however that person neglected to think of those that may want
to purchase an all zone (1+2+3) ticket, which would well exceed a more
than a few two buck coins. And also if day tickets were sold they are
(for a zone 1), just short of the smalles domination note. The
technology is available so I cannot see the reason.
- As for dailies not being sold on trams, I personally think it is a
bad thing as that is the ticket I use most, however one must stop and
think if the government thinks the $4.30 price is just far too good. I
know of not one city where I could travel the distance I can in
Melbourne all day for such a cheap price. I dare say the governemtn
thinks the same and is attempting a backhanded way of phasing them out
altogether.
- Vailidation of Metcards on trams is another issue that I a few
people in this N/G have expressed their concern. Those people who
object to validating a vailidated ticket fail to reconise the fact
that the machine would most likly check if the ticket is vailid, but
would also be used to form boarding stats to (hopfully) improve
services, but also more importantly to let operators know how many
passengers they carried so that they may claim their money. Especiialy
important after privitisation.
- The QTY and placment of TVM's on the trams I think will cause no
end of problems. Traveling (mainly on the 19 to Nt Coburg) it seemed
that at least half the passengers purchased their ticket from the
conductor, presumable the other half purchased it off board, or has a
vailid daily, weekly ticket etc. With the number of passengers that
board a B2, how is one machine going to cope??. Also why where the
machines on Z class installed in a seating bay and not in the area
once occupied by conductors consoles???
- Of concern with tram validators is what happens when the machines
malfunction and keep a ticket. I have seen this a few times on bus
validators and generaly the drive opens the ticket and retrieves it.
But what about on a tram. Will the drive get out of his/her seat to
retrive it?? I think not. That being said though I have never been on
a Sydney bus that captured a ticket, but I don't use them much here.
- Luckly the gates at the stations are better than what I imagined.
We there last (about 12 months ago), the gates had the green
vailidators nearby which appeared to be used to open them. Luckly they
are more Sydney like. As for the number of gates from what I seen a
Flinders St. the numbers would be comparitable to many major stations
here in Sydney. And if they work as well and quickly as the Sydney
versions then all I can say is the detractors will get used to them
and relise they are not as bad as they seem. As for speed I mentioned
a few months back that the Sydney gates work almost at walking pace,
where you walk up and going the que and walk through, not any slower
than showing a station hand. I don't like the idea of bi-directional,
however the wide pram gates are possitive. (FYI all Sydney stations
with gates active have a wide gate where a staff member near by opens
for prams, people with luggage and those impatient enough to wait 10
seconds que to stick their card through the gate).
- The quality of the trams and track in Melbourne is somthing that I
personaly don't like. The Z class, although looking reasonably modern
from the outside (comparitivly to W's I guess) are woful inside. The
current refurb scheme should have including more inside work, on seats
and walls etc to lighten them up and more attractive. The A's and the
B's inside arn't all that much better either. The track seems to me to
be also in need of repair. The line down Royal PDE seemed rough, and
the turnout at the intersection of Elizabeth/Royal PDE/Flemmington RD
is extreamly noise, very rough and slow (but not as slow as a Sydney
tram!!!)
- I also noticed on the B2's at the number 1 end behind the driver
in the passenger compartment is a counter. Anyone know what it is used
for???
Well thats about all for now, don't think my next trip to Melbourne
will be until next year, so all you Victorians can rest in peace until
I am next in town!!!
PS. Anyone find out if the W class at the tennis centre is going back
into traffic, or if it was a recent withdrawal. I was negligent in my
duties of not noting its number, but fortunatly the tennis was a
little more interesting.