Search found 932 matches

by Passenger 57
Fri Sep 15, 2023 10:52 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: Opal Discussion and Observations
Replies: 9717
Views: 1867504

Opal top up machines going contactless?

The last Opal top-up machine I passed appears to only accept contactless cards. A small LED panel with some control panel below I couldn't identify the purpose of has replaced the old EFTPOS reader. I assume that is further to reduce maintenance costs but is that entirely reasonable now? I'm thinkin...
by Passenger 57
Fri Sep 15, 2023 10:36 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: Opal Discussion and Observations
Replies: 9717
Views: 1867504

Re: Opal Discussion and Observations

The internal documents, obtained by the Herald under freedom of information laws, say the existing system has a “long lead time” and a high cost for network-wide fare changes, while it has “limited ability to differentiate prices beyond simple peak [and] off-peak”. Maybe so, but Opal+ is a new syst...
by Passenger 57
Mon Mar 20, 2023 1:02 am
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: Opal Discussion and Observations
Replies: 9717
Views: 1867504

Re: Opal Discussion and Observations

I wonder if these new distance based fares are route km's or spacial distances. Route distance apparently . Try the fare calculator if you know your way around Singapore. I thought rail fares were based on the distance of the route with the quickest travel time but that appears to have either chang...
by Passenger 57
Wed Mar 15, 2023 1:18 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: Opal Discussion and Observations
Replies: 9717
Views: 1867504

Re: Opal Discussion and Observations

One difficulty is that there can be high demand in some route segments that are contra-flows to the main city morning inbound/afternoon outbound flows. Ideally you want a simple policy.
by Passenger 57
Tue Mar 14, 2023 11:26 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: Opal Discussion and Observations
Replies: 9717
Views: 1867504

Re: Opal Discussion and Observations

What's even clearer is that there are very noticeable "peak weekdays" and "off-peak weekdays". The vast majority of employers seem to think theoretical super spreaders won't happen on Monday morning peak hours, and everyone's social distancing by WFH on Fridays :roll: Seems a lo...
by Passenger 57
Tue Feb 28, 2023 11:14 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: Opal Discussion and Observations
Replies: 9717
Views: 1867504

Re: Opal Discussion and Observations

You realise of course that peak fares would needs to be increased to offset the revenue loss. If they did adopt the PAYG fare scale for Opal going forward (distance based regardless of fare mode, with an additional fee for ferry use if not on an unlimited subscription), fares would be going up per-...
by Passenger 57
Mon Feb 27, 2023 11:09 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: Opal Discussion and Observations
Replies: 9717
Views: 1867504

Re: Opal Discussion and Observations

boxythingy wrote: Mon Feb 27, 2023 10:18 pm I would not mind free or 40-50% off off-peak travel though to thoroughly enjoy my relaxing Friday peak journeys.
You realise of course that peak fares would needs to be increased to offset the revenue loss.
by Passenger 57
Mon Feb 27, 2023 9:49 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: Opal Discussion and Observations
Replies: 9717
Views: 1867504

Re: Opal Discussion and Observations

As it stands, the thing I have to remember if I do use Opal+ include that only one subscription can be active in a 7 day period (starting the day you buy it) - so like that week I bought the Unlimited Weekend subscription (and yes you can cancel right after), I would have to wait until that 7 day p...
by Passenger 57
Mon Feb 27, 2023 7:57 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: Opal Discussion and Observations
Replies: 9717
Views: 1867504

Re: Opal Discussion and Observations

Seems the COVID induced "temporary" peak hour time extensions have now been been made permanent. They never said that it wouldn't be permanent and there probably is a valid rationale for the extended peak in normal times. Constance claimed it would reduce crowding and after initially incr...
by Passenger 57
Tue Feb 07, 2023 7:31 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: NSW Electric Bus Plan
Replies: 1681
Views: 161366

Re: NSW Electric Bus Plan

From comments I've seen on this forum and elsewhere over the years, it seems You make a good case which you would think the manufacturers would make. You would think the greater evenness of loading would clinch the argument irrespective of what customers themselves may prefer. Not that operators ne...
by Passenger 57
Tue Feb 07, 2023 5:50 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: NSW Electric Bus Plan
Replies: 1681
Views: 161366

Re: NSW Electric Bus Plan

Are the relevant manufacturers just failing to sell the benefits of better designs? Or are there other factors at play? I don't see why a manufacturer that is capable of offering a better design in one RHD market wouldn't offer the same here. Isn't the idea to differentiate yourselves from your comp...
by Passenger 57
Tue Feb 07, 2023 4:53 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: NSW Electric Bus Plan
Replies: 1681
Views: 161366

Re: NSW Electric Bus Plan

I'm happy to accept that TfNSW doesn't have a clue but if offered best-practice why wouldn't they take it? What is the drawback of all low floor? Is there an additional cost?
by Passenger 57
Mon Jan 23, 2023 5:29 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: NSW Electric Bus Plan
Replies: 1681
Views: 161366

Re: NSW Electric Bus Plan

Swift wrote: Mon Jan 23, 2023 4:17 pm I got caught doing it myself once as the RR were taking forever to respond.
Did you have an idea of how far behind the next bus was?
by Passenger 57
Mon Jan 23, 2023 4:09 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: NSW Electric Bus Plan
Replies: 1681
Views: 161366

Re: NSW Electric Bus Plan

So if I'm grasping this headway management thing properly does it cause an on-time bus to be delayed just because a previous bus starts running late? Does it take into account passenger loadings? The nice thing about bunching is that buses with the same destination can skip stops which speeds up the...
by Passenger 57
Sun Jan 22, 2023 5:32 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: NSW Electric Bus Plan
Replies: 1681
Views: 161366

Re: NSW Electric Bus Plan

Thanks. I took your original post to imply that a bus without headway equipment would be incapable of operating such a route but I'm guessing this is more of a strong preference. Are there still timetables for these headway services? How would they been operated in the past? Inspectors deployed on a...
by Passenger 57
Sat Jan 21, 2023 10:37 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: NSW Electric Bus Plan
Replies: 1681
Views: 161366

Re: NSW Electric Bus Plan

Stu wrote: Sat Jan 21, 2023 10:26 pm the bus also not being fitted with headway equipment.
What is headway equipment please?
by Passenger 57
Wed Jan 18, 2023 11:18 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: NSW Electric Bus Plan
Replies: 1681
Views: 161366

Re: NSW Electric Bus Plan

Given the services are expected to run every 5mins (it seems the 3min service level originally proposed won't happen, at least not initially) These times are for service frequencies on the trunk portion I believe so a 6 min charging time at the termini works with a single charger but yes the system...
by Passenger 57
Wed Jan 18, 2023 10:28 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: NSW Electric Bus Plan
Replies: 1681
Views: 161366

Re: NSW Electric Bus Plan

Thanks Tony. Using partial on-wire operation seems the safest approach to achieve the same objectives and would also have the advantage of being better understood and subject to fewer patents. I wonder if Brisbane fairly compared the two systems or put their fingers on the scale to heavily weight th...
by Passenger 57
Wed Jan 18, 2023 8:03 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: NSW Electric Bus Plan
Replies: 1681
Views: 161366

Re: NSW Electric Bus Plan

Tony, do you think Brisbane Metro's plan to fast charge in under 6 minutes at termini of their system is workable? I'm not aware of anything like that proposed here for bus operation. Would I be right to guess that will result in more peaky power requirements? I notice I haven't seen a write up wher...
by Passenger 57
Wed Jan 18, 2023 3:10 am
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: Pets on public transport
Replies: 12
Views: 1413

Re: Pets on public transport

boxythingy wrote: Tue Jan 17, 2023 11:22 pm no one would be allowed to bring on board a pony sized dog onto a plane for example
Someone has taken a miniature horse aboard a plane in the US. First class too. US airlines are only legally required to recognise dogs as service animals and have various grounds for refusing carriage to them.
by Passenger 57
Wed Jan 18, 2023 2:28 am
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: NSW Electric Bus Plan
Replies: 1681
Views: 161366

Re: NSW Electric Bus Plan

If there is requirement for off guideway operation a (conventional) tram or train is not a possible solution. There is a benefit to guidance in some situations even when vehicle capacity is low. Magnetic/optical guidance is cheap too. While capacity is not the strong suit of buses they may be the on...
by Passenger 57
Wed Jan 18, 2023 12:54 am
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: NSW Electric Bus Plan
Replies: 1681
Views: 161366

Re: NSW Electric Bus Plan

Speaking of guided buses are there any systems you are impressed with?
by Passenger 57
Tue Jan 17, 2023 11:13 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: NSW Electric Bus Plan
Replies: 1681
Views: 161366

Re: NSW Electric Bus Plan

Do you think we haven't heard mention of trolley buses because our transport planners are so clueless or is it because building infrastructure costs so much in this country? Trolley buses can get by with smaller batteries which is not only is good for their costs but also for the environment. You'd ...
by Passenger 57
Tue Jan 17, 2023 11:02 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: Possible future light rail routes
Replies: 23
Views: 3543

Re: Possible future light rail routes

Another potential light rail project is from Circular Quay, perhaps connecting directly with the L2/L3 terminus, to Bondi Junction via Phillip St, Elizabeth St, Liverpool St and Oxford St. The Bondi Junction - Bondi Beach route that I referenced in Tony's 2008 paper was just a section of the City -...
by Passenger 57
Tue Jan 17, 2023 2:26 am
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: Possible future light rail routes
Replies: 23
Views: 3543

Re: Possible future light rail routes

For those interested in such things Waverley Council commissioned a report delivered in 2013 by some mob called AECOM Australia which looked at 3 (more like 2½) alternatives for the Bondi Junction - Bondi Beach routes. They recommended the route via Bondi Road. They also considered: Old South Head R...

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