simonl wrote:Has there been any agro in Perth with removing periodicals, which I assume used to exist? Amazingly, some people are still whingeing in Brisbane about periodicals being removed several years later.
Where Perth does lag other states is their transitioning to an all electronic fare system is not as far advanced. They still have a high and non refundable fee for their smartcard. Being able to tap on with PayPass seems like science fiction over there, or did when I was there almost 2 years ago.
There hasn't been periodicals for years! MultiRider offered 10 or 40 trips but were restricted to whichever zone you purchased for.
I don't think the fact a high non-refundable fee exists means it is not as advanced. This is obviously for the same reason that most other states have a card fee. Offering cash fares on a lower utilised and less dense system still makes sense to cater for the occasional user and visitors without having the issue of smart cards being disposed of once funds are depleted and in negative balance.
Contactless payment is coming with the new system to be introduced in the next year or two. Aside from limited uses with Opal in Sydney, I don't believe anywhere else has the capability for it yet anyway.