Introducing OPAL Card

[BeauGiles]

It should be possible to rely on the machine working, otherwise why have them at all? Transport management is always obsessed with revenue protection and not with service provision. Its first priority is its own convenience. If the machine wasn't working, the fine should not have been issued. In any other area of customer service, failure by management leads to an apology and some sort of concession.
Roderick

The fine wasn’t issued - the journalist in the story says he was cautioned.

[Swift]

It should be possible to rely on the machine working, otherwise why have them at all?
Roderick

There seems to be a trend for agencies or companies to place the burden of equipment shortcomings on the hapless customer.
Banks are failing to make their ATM's secure enough to be used normally without customers now expected to examine them forensically for ever more sophisticated skimming devices and very well placed pinhole sized cameras aimed at the pin pad.
Manufacturers of electronic devices and electrical goods place hoops for warranty claims and are loath to admit an item needs recalling for a newly discovered fault.
Don't get started on car makers and dealers.

[Jurassic_Joke]

You know, im completely fine with the new legislation. Sick and tired of whinging poms. What is wrong with auto-top up? Or just top it up online, new minimum of $10 is completely reasonable? As for auto top up,as long as you arent on a tight budget/about to go broke, I don't see whats wrong with it. If you spend the same each week, well, the same amount of money gets debited. It's not like TfNSW will pull a Woolies and debit money unauthorised like what happened a week or two back.

The next piece of legislation they should pass is stop Opal Single Bus tickets altogether. Sick of buses running late and missing traffic lights for the same reason of people not turning up to the station prepared. Just manually enable the Opal Bus Reader to accept paywave for all credit debit cards, flat fee of $5 (+ any transaction costs, onus is on you) charged, end of.

[moa999]

Contactless is coming, and being trialled on the Manly Ferry.
(At least it was, when I walked past on the weekend the signs advertising the trial had disappeared)

[Fleet Lists]

It is still on as far as the Opal website is concerned and is still being advertised on the Transport Info website.

[Fleet Lists]

As the Bline carpaks were being discussed both here and in the Bline all posts here have been moved to the Bline thread.

[boronia]

I put this question in the B-line thread but didn't get a response yet.

What is the "Opal Day Pass" that can't be used for parking? I can't recall seeing this mentioned before.

[moa999]

Context would help but going to the other thread.
"* Single Trip Tickets, Opal Day Pass and School Cards do not qualify for free parking."

Not aware of it as a current product, but could only assume it is a proposed/planned day ticket version of the single ticket.

Personally think all these tickets should be banned. If you can't be organised enough to have an Opal card (or a topped up Opal card) then find another method of transport

[Fleet Lists]

Not aware of it as a current product, but could only assume it is a proposed/planned day ticket version of the single ticket.

I tend to think it is a mistake.

[boronia]

Maybe just a normal card with $15.40 credit on it??

[Jurassic_Joke]

I think it must be a disposable day ticket that can be tapped on and off all day, all modes, with a 20% premium over the current daily cap. Child and adult only, Ofc. I can't see it being a product you load on your opal card.

Always love seeing unintentional leaks.

[boronia]

I have emailed Opal, will see what answer I get. LOL

[simonl]

Context would help but going to the other thread.
"* Single Trip Tickets, Opal Day Pass and School Cards do not qualify for free parking."

Not aware of it as a current product, but could only assume it is a proposed/planned day ticket version of the single ticket.

Personally think all these tickets should be banned. If you can't be organised enough to have an Opal card (or a topped up Opal card) then find another method of transport

Largely agree but there is no problem with off vehicle single trip tickets or PayPass fares. Day Pass is a waste of time - the daily cap IS a day pass.

[Jurassic_Joke]

Personally think all these tickets should be banned. If you can't be organised enough to have an Opal card (or a topped up Opal card) then find another method of transport

Agree, but the leftists would throw a screaming fit. Remember the hysterics when IPART recommended a 40% premium on single trip tickets, and as such, was only 20% in the end? *rolls eyes*

We know the functionality exists to Paywave the fare with a debit/credit card - id love to see a completely cashless system. It also makes it safer for the bus drivers, that are (very potentially) at risk of getting mugged. Go on then, Constance, you love technology - out with cash then ^^

So what the minimum is $10 for an Opal. You keep the card for 9 years, and save everyone else time

[Swift]

The leftists who want to inconvenience everybody need to learn to love the taste of stiff cheddar. Tired to death of accommodating stragglers. This just shows Constance is full of hot air with is embracing technology stance he keeps peddling.

[moa999]

We know the functionality exists to Paywave the fare with a debit/credit card - id love to see a completely cashless system.

I highly suspect this is what will occur after cashless is rolled out following the ferry trial

On the whole the NSW government has been pretty progressive shut going cashless - eg. Harbour crossing was first tollway in the world to have a cash option removed

[Swift]

eg. Harbour crossing was first tollway in the world to have a cash option removed

We also have the most expensive tolls in the world. What an honour! I suspect cashless was motivated by a desire to fine people for not having a tag, rather than to advance the state with an injection of technology. Australian state governments are unashamed money grubbers.

[jpp42]

One of the benefits of cashless tolls is to allow them to charge in both directions. Emergency management authorities won't allow cash toll booths in areas that may restrict exiting the city - in difficult traffic conditions, it is a recipe for disaster as toll booth queues can back up into gridlock in the city. That's why the Harbour Bridge and Eastern Distributor, when they had cash booths, only charged inbound to the city - outbound traffic is always free-flowing.

Cashless removes this restriction and allows for charging in both directions, which in turn eliminates situations where people might take the bridge or the ED outbound, but an alternate route inbound. Note that they are also closing off the exit ramp from the eastern distributor onto Cleveland St (prior to the toll), which is another way to increase toll takings.

[Fleet Lists]

Note that they are also closing off the exit ramp from the eastern distributor onto Cleveland St (prior to the toll), which is another way to increase toll takings.

That has been closed during certain hours for a long. Is it now being closed off permanently?
exit closed Mon–Fri 06:00–10:00 and 15:00–19:00

[boronia]

Apparently it will be permanent.

I think it is becoming too dangerous with the exit queue banking back on the distributor.

[Swift]

I think it is becoming too dangerous with the exit queue banking back on the distributor.

That mainly happens during the process of closing it!!

[simonl]

Pretty off topic, but no doubt if they close the last exit before the toll, the exit before will then become congested. Perhaps just put a small toll on this exit?

[Swift]

^They already do something like that with the Military Rd North on/off ramp, it should have acceptance.

[boronia]

Pretty off topic, but no doubt if they close the last exit before the toll, the exit before will then become congested. Perhaps just put a small toll on this exit?

That exit is very close to Cleveland St, and in busy times it can be difficult to merge off the ED into South Dowling St as the traffic queue is already back to there.

The previous exit is at Todman/O'Dea, where there is a lot more "buffer" space.

[Swift]

One good thing is they will most likely remove the pinch point at the exit where two lanes become one and the other lane is reserved for cars exiting.