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| Sunday, May 17, 03:12:05pm | [ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, [3], 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ] |
| Subject: Another four years of MetcardMay 26 2003 ERG One Link 2007 money allocated/cost ballpark/400m | |
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Date Posted: Monday, May 26, 02:03:26am In reply to: Newspapers reporting result--March 7 2003 SMH 's message, "Noteholders have tickets to ride" on Thursday, March 06, 08:38:56am http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/05/25/1053801274845.html ----------------------------------------------------------- Another four years of Metcard May 26 2003 By Garry Barker Technology Editor ----------------------------------------------------------- Website: London's new ticketing systemPublic transport Your say ----------------------------------------------------------- The much-maligned Metcard system will operate for four more years on Melbourne's trains and trams before being upgraded. ----------------------------------------------------------- Transport Minister Peter Batchelor confirmed yesterday that work had started on a multimillion-dollar program to introduce smartcards to Melbourne's public transport system, but it would not come in until 2007. ----------------------------------------------------------- A total of $3.9 million was allocated in this year's budget to begin the work. ----------------------------------------------------------- Victoria is tied to the contract signed by the Kennett government with OneLink until 2007. OneLink supplies paper Metcard tickets, railway station ticket barriers, vending machines and green reader boxes on trams and buses. ----------------------------------------------------------- Smartcards would go far towards eliminating "a whole host of problems in our present ticketing system", Mr Batchelor said. Not least the fare evasion costing the state millions of dollars every month. ----------------------------------------------------------- The cards are likely to be embraced by banks and retailers to become electronic small change "purses" for items such as newspapers, coffee, parking fees, dry cleaning and cigarettes. ----------------------------------------------------------- "It will be the way of the future, replacing a lot of small change in your pocket or purse," Mr Batchelor said. ----------------------------------------------------------- Smartcards are microcomputer chips embedded in a credit card-sized piece of plastic. They can store information, including electronic cash. As transport tickets, they would automatically pay the required fare. ----------------------------------------------------------- The latest card readers do not require the card to be taken out of a pocket or purse. In Hong Kong, some commuters have their smartcards in wristwatches or jewellery. ----------------------------------------------------------- Smartcards also can be used to store information, such as details of allergies and health risks, authority to enter secure areas, club memberships or driver's licence details. ----------------------------------------------------------- Mr Batchelor said that "designing the contract specifications to make sure the next generation ticketing system for Melbourne gets it right" would take the four years left in the Metcard contract. ----------------------------------------------------------- Modern automatic teller machines in Melbourne are equipped to handle smartcard technology, but will be supplemented by kiosks in railway stations and other venues ----------------------------------------------------------- Mr Batchelor said the system also would cater for infrequent transport users, allowing them to store $50 or so on a smartcard. ----------------------------------------------------------- He conceded the cost of the replacement system was "in the ballpark" of the $400 million NSW was to spend. ----------------------------------------------------------- He did not rule out that the contract might go to Metcard system supplier ERG. OneLink is a division of Perth-based ERG, which built the Hong Kong system and won the contract for the NSW transport system ----------------------------------------------------------- [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |
| Subject | Author | Date |
| PLASTIC smart cards will replace the failed Metcard ticket system on Melbourne's trams, trains and buses under a $400 million plan. | May 25, 2003Hi-tech system to replace Metcard | Monday, May 26, 10:24:55am |