Re: Met Automated Ticketing

Mike Alexander (malex@bigfoot.com)
16 Feb 1998 12:15:23 GMT

> I have a problem with this. Many people don't walk past a retail outlet
> before their tram/bus stop (much more likely at a train station). As
> the city end of my trip is mainly in a business sector, and time is
> usually tighter on this leg, pre purchase in the city isn't a convenient
> option, except at the station itself.

But, don't forget that you don't have to buy your ticket _immediately_
prior to travelling. Just go to a shop and buy 5 or so 2-hour tickets as a
float, and then whenever you're in a shop which sells Metcards, top your
float up again.

> I'd prefer a "phonecard" style of operation, where you can pre purchase
> $x amount of travel on the tram and validate it as necessary. Probably
> not practical though. :)

Yes it is practical; just use the method above. As an aside, I believe that
they will introduce a 10 x 2-hour ticket at some time in the future. The
button is there on the larger ticket machines (Metcard 10). This will be
equivalent to your phonecard idea.

> It hasn't fully started up on this side of town, but I have reservations
> about the lack of change on the trams.

Change is available on trams, just not from notes. If you have a $2 coins
and a $1 coin, you can buy a $2.20 ticket and receive 80 cents change from
the machine.


Regards,

Mike Alexander
(malex@bigfoot.com)