Re: Metcard

["Michael Walker" <walker@hotkey.net.au>]

Translib Pty. Ltd. wrote in message <351B07E3.713B5B98@translib.com.au>...
>Michael Walker wrote:
>
>> [snip]
>>
>> PTC staff have been advised to try to get people to use the machines.
>> Not only that, but given the BOMs are a bit of a pain to use and it is
>>
>> much easier for station staff to give you change to use the machine as
>>
>> it makes the end of day accounting so much easier (no sales = no
>> adding up
>> ticket sales or getting the days takings bagged up ready to be taken
>> away or
>> ringing up Armaguard to arrange for a collection.)
>
>Actually, BOMs do add up ticket sales by themselves (of course this is a
>big improvement from the old days, though some ticket sales still put
>through like the old days, ie. V/Line and interstate tickets).
>

The BOMs print out an end of shift report (but only for a primary shift, if
a second person logs on, it doesnt print out a report for the secondary
shift or even take it into account). You still need to make sure you have
the correct amount of money at the end of a shift. Besides, most PTC
employees I know would prefer to do minimal work. If this means pushing
people to the ticket machine so at the end of their shift they have only
their float or their float plus a few sales then they have minimal work to
do and they can do other things. Especially on evening shift when everyone
wants to go home as quickly as possible. Even more so when it can be
justified by PTC instructions in favour of pushing people to the machines.

>> Hence station staff prefer to get you to use the machine unless it is
>> broken
>> down majorly as it suits them much better, especially evening shifts
>> where
>> the few sales just aren't worth it.
>
>I am not sure about this, especially when their jobs are on the line.  I
>know some P.T.C. staff would prefer selling tickets to commuters.
>Afterall that is what service industry is all about.
>
I doubt most think that far ahead. Especially those working at premium
stations who don't believe their jobs are on the line, merely their
conditions. As for service, when has this been much of a contributing
factor, especially when you have been there a while and have become
entrenched in the small minded political games that seem to exist at most
stations/station groupings. Don't get me wrong, I know some staff who
genuinely work hard and go out of their way to serve the public. I also know
that in general, most staff do their job as required and thats it. Also,
people get the better shifts and acting positions more through being mates
with the boss than genuine hard work or merit. So where is the incentive to
work, you are better of slacking off a bit and sucking up the SM. Seems to
pay off better.