Re: W-Class and ATMS

[dbowen@custard.net.#SPAMTRAP#.au (Daniel Bowen)]

crn@nellie.bby.com.au (Clive Newall) wrote:
>Trams present a different problem to trains & buses with regard to ticket
>validation.

>Trains: You validate to gain entry to the platform, prior to boarding.

Except of course most stations you don't need to validate to open a gate. And
those you do often have a gate left open (for non-MetCard ticket holders) and
unmanned so that some people don't validate anyway.

>Buses:  Many (most?) have a single entrance, and I assume (I don't use
>        buses) that the validator is placed somewhere near the door, so
>        it would be "natural" to validate before taking a seat.

The validator is right next to the driver, where you would have shown your
ticket to the driver anyway.

>Trams:  Ooops. Several doors. Validators on posts _away_ from the doors.

Sorry? Don't know how often you catch trams Clive, but all the tram validators
I've seen have been directly opposite, or at the most, a couple of steps away
from the doors.

>        Those damn ATMs in the middle of the tram, again away from the doors.

They are near doors - the doors at the centre of the tram. Mind you, most people
on routes that formerly used front door boarding haven't twigged they can board
by any door.

>        So...how many people are likely to board, walk past several empty
>        seats, validate their ticket, and then look for a seat? 

Actually from what I've seen on the 67, (running with Z1 trams) it seems to be
working quite well. I haven't seen the inspectors catch anyone yet.

>        What about during peak hour? (The journey on #19 (Sydney Road) will
>        be half over before many passengers can get to a validator.)

Again, on B class trams, the validator is right opposite the door. Getting to
the ticket machine could be a problem though.

>        There used to (still are?) trams where the conductor was seated near
>        the front. Passengers had to go to the conductor to buy/show tickets.
>        On a crowded tram this presented a better chance of free travel than
>        a roving conductor. I suspect the validators will be treated similarly.

Both seated and roving conductors could be evaded. Seated conductors were a
problem if both doors of the tram were opened - people could easily board by the
back door and not be noticed by the conductor, especially if the tram was
crowded.

And tt's very easy to board at the opposite end of a crowded tram to where the
conductor is, and pretend s/he has already seen your ticket. Even on a
moderately crowded 75 (B class) tram a few years ago I once saw someone sit down
and stare out the window - and the conductor didn't notice her. Back then it
often seemed half the tickets were sold because people approached the conductor,
rather than the other way round.


Daniel
--
Daniel Bowen, Melbourne Australia.
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