Re: [Melb] Prizes for Validating Metcards

[Michael <mk@netstra.com.au>]

Hi,


>You state that revalidation is encouraged, but you therefore imply that
>it isn't necessary. Most passengers don't like unnecessary bureaucracy,
>so if given the option wouldn't bother.

At this point of time, it is not an option. A ticket requiring machine 
validation must be revalidated upon entry to transport property where a 
working validator is provided.

>Obviously, by abolishing the need to revalidate, it would eliminate some
>of the problems with this ticketing system. Transport staff could then
>concentrate on detecting passengers without a valid ticket, without the
>negative image created by the revalidation system.

There are two main reasons that revalidation is pushed:

* It allows the private rail and tram companies to cut down on services 
where they see fit. If the val/revalidation rates are low for a given 
service, it is then not needed, thus saving money.

* It cuts out more employment, where in the past, and even up to these 
days, people were/are hired to collect statistics of when people board a 
train or tram, thus saving money.

This is purely speculation on my part, however I believe that the tram 
stops that have been planned to be removed are for the reasons stated 
above. Not enough people have utilised these stops or validated their 
Metcards, hence brought them to be the least used stop.

>To treat passengers who have a valid ticket to travel as criminals is
>stupid. If the ticketing systems doesn't meet the needs of the passenger
>as well as the bureaucracy then it is flawed.

The government should not make companies pull in a profit (mainly entering 
Jeff's pocket previously) at the expense of the average Australian. 
Stations should still have staff to sell a fully valid ticket to a 
customer. If they are concerned with statistical collection (which added, 
is purely for their pockets in the first place) put up electronic counters 
like shopping centres have. Do you see shopping centres making people 
collect a ticket for manual validation each time they enter? 

Electronic counters hidden strategically won't be prone to too much 
interference from people waving their hand in front of it. Even when it 
does happen, from graphs you will notice that one given statistic (it's 
hardly likely for a kid to stand at a station all day just to bugger up the 
statistics) may be invalid, and it can then be averaged with the rest, or 
averaged over other days of the same time. Not quite as accurate as the 
machine validation system (provided 100% of people revalidate all the time, 
once only, which will never happen) but close enough for them to get the 
idea.

Having said this, I have no problem with the concept of Metcard, but purely 
as a ticketing system. There are other, easier ways of collecting 
statistics, as I have stated above. The current Metcard system, with the 
statistical side of it removed, can be an almost perfect ticketing system, 
along with some other changes:

* Allow the purchase and validation of incorrect zone tickets from the 
machines, as long as it can be proven that the person holds another ticket 
for the correct zone (Either entry of the ticket number on the eftpos 
keypad on the large machines, or have a slot for entry of the current 
ticket on the machines. Give the person the option of validating their 
ticket from the machine).

* Daily tickets on trams (Everyone's said this, no argument really)

* Plastic coated periodical tickets and Metcard Xpress available to 
everyone. Paper tickets, properly stored and revalidated all the time do 
not last a month, as I have found.

Thus, if the above is implemented, people will no longer be treated like 
criminals and the railways will not be abused as yet another profit making 
scheme. With the above implemented, there will be more employment for those 
who need it. For this to happen however, the companies will need to be 
government run once again, and preferably integrated as before. Therefore I 
conclude in asking, what is so good about the current system, for the above 
changes not to be made?

Regards
Michael

-- 
Michael
Email: mk@netstra.com.au
Website: http://www.netstra.com.au/~mk
ICQ: 1459118
Telephone: 0416-044-124

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