Re: Public transport making money (Was: Re: Metcard Xpress and Plastic Tickets (was: Metcard Machines and Tickets))

[Liz Irwin <eirwin@alphalink.com.au>]

canetram59 wrote:
> 
> Liz Irwin <eirwin@alphalink.com.au> wrote in message
> news:37F1E66D.AC7E11A3@alphalink.com.au...
> > I like what happens on the Brisbane trains (at least it did a few years
> > ago when I was last there).  A ticket seller walks up and down the
> > train,  At the same time he provides security (he had a walkie-talkie
> > etc), sells the tickets, checks the tickets (selling tickets is the next
> > logical step for someone minus a ticket), gave directions and generally
> > made life better for travellers.  I would assume that his presence would
> > also put off the messier types.  Oh, and I nearly forgot - food and
> > drink of any kind were not allowed to be consumed on the trains there.
> > No wonder they were so clean!
> >
> > Liz
> >
> The roving ticket seller does not exist in Brisbane now. They have been
> replaced by a machine on each platform which dispenses tickets. You now must
> have a valid ticket before boarding a train. The trouble is, that the ticket
> vending machines can only handle coins so if you don't have sufficient coins
> and the remainder in notes, tough you have to go somewhere else to get
> change (there are no change machines at suburban stations). The roving
> ticket seller would not travel on the one train all the time. They would
> sell tickets on one train, get off at a station along the route and then
> catch the next train either going in the return direction or going the same
> way as their previous train. If you were late for your train you could get
> straight on and purchase your ticket at your destination (eg Central) or off
> a roving ticket seller.
> Now that you must have a valid ticket before boarding we have roving ticket
> inspectors. These travel in pairs and inspect tickets (obviously). If you
> are caught without a valid ticket it can mean a $120 fine. You now have to
> arrive at your boarding station in plenty of time to catch your train and
> you must have plenty of change in your pocket. If there is a que of people
> waiting to use the ticket vending machine you'd better hope that they all
> know how to use it and don't dither about as this can also cause you to miss
> your train as you will be still trying to buy a ticket.
> 
> canetram59


Oh, that's so disappointing!!

Liz