> - atms are set to dispence $50 notes as the basic unit, so tvms should
> accept up to $50 notes and give change.
if you went and bought a $2.20 ticket with a $50 note, would you like to
carry arround $47.80 in coins?? The TVM's cannot issue change in note,
they arent a ATM. A coke machine doesnt give you as much change as the
TVM's do...they arent ATM's either..(but you DO go prepared when you
want to buy a can of coke dont you.)
> - all ticket types should be sold by all tvms (in particular the on--tram
> ones). Melbourne has only a limited range of ticket types, so this should
> be easy.
When the PTC provided information of the most bought tickets on trams
they stated that 2 hr tickets and short trip tickets were the most
commonly bought ones on trams.
> - validation should be necessary only ONCE.
The information gathered from the validators is used when planning
upgrades and where to put more trains etc etc. They are also necessary
as Most of the Bus companies work on contract and recieve a set wage for
their rout, then an additional amount for the number of passengers they
carry. PTC regulations state that you must present a valid ticket for
inspection upon entering any form of public transport, by validating you
are presenting you "valid" ticket for inspection. Failure to do so will
result in a $50.00 on the spot fine. Also (and I'll goon more about
this down below) many many people try to use expired 2 hr tickets, old
tickets etc. By validating each time yor ticket is accepted or marked
invalid, on a Bus you'll be made to purchase another, at a station with
barriers or inspectors you'll be made to buy another, same with trams.
> - there should be no barriers.
Really? Why? So that people can use the same ticket every day without
validating? So that they can buy a zone 3 ticket and try to exit at
flinders street and claim they only NEED a zone 3 because they are
returning to zone 3? Its about time those people rorting the system are
caught, personally I'm sick of having to pay for people who think they
can get a free ride.
>
> I purchased my first Metcard on Sat.7.2: I had coins, and used the smaller
> machine. The bigger machine was blocked by less confident customers trying
> to read the instructions.
Maybe these were the people who walked past the host and stated with
confidence "I dont want a brochure, I wont be buying a new ticket, or I
know how to use it".
> My machine worked ok.
Good. Most do unless they are vandalised.
> The validator was slow: it swallowed the ticket completely, then spat it
> back slowly.
On average its a 2-3 second delay.
>
> I was unable to obtain instructions in Polish on operating the tvm.
Maybe because you are in Australia? Most people dont read
instruction... The metcard brochures which the friendly Hosts try to
give you have a wide selection of languages at the back where they
invite you to contact the PTC on the 1800 number and request a brochure
which is in your native tongue. However as a large proportion of people
swan right past the hosts with their noses in the air, maybe they didnt
get a brochure..i doubt those who took them actually READ them. 3/4 of
the people I have seen trying to use the machine try to force money into
it first. *shrug* i like the system.
Chrystal
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