News & Discussion: Public Transport Contracts, Service & Policy

[SRW]

I've been on a couple of the new buses and none of them were painted with this red-fronted livery. Although I prefer (and in fact LIKE) the existing yellow-fronted livery, ultimately I would really just like for the entire Adelaide Metro fleet to stay 'on brand' with a uniform livery -- even if it means this new look.

[BillD]

Here are a couple of shots of Flexity 113 as she arrives at the Entertainment Centre hard-standing to be placed on the tracks.

They're taken around 2am on Monday the 18th of July 2010

Here's the trailer performing a 3-point u-turn before reversing into the Port Rd reserve:


You can see the ramps still being set up in the second shot:

[[Shuz]]

Trial for touch and go ticket system
Michael Milnes Transport Reporter From: The Advertiser July 18, 2011 12:00AM

THIS is the first look at Adelaide's new public transport smartcard ticketing system.
Called Metrocard, it is to be trialled this year ahead of its 2013 start date.

The new "touch and go" ticket validating system can use the present magnetic Crouzet system, with the new smart Metrocard, Singletrip and Daytrip tickets remaining as magnetic tickets.

The Advertiser understands 10 of the new machines will be trialled on bus routes throughout the Adelaide Hills.

Transport Minister Patrick Conlon said it was another example of how far the public transport system had come under the Rann Government.

"This is part of an unprecedented $2 billion decade-long investment in public transport infrastructure," Mr Conlon said.

"After 24 years using the magnetic Crouzet system, we are introducing ticketing technology that reflects the faster, more efficient public transport network we are building.

"Boarding a bus, train or tram will be a simple matter of touching the prepaid Metrocard to a validator as you board," he said.

The State Government has spent $42 million on the system, which will be installed on all buses, trains and trams in time for the electrification of the city's rail network.

The Metrocard will have in-built security which will allow registered cards to be blocked from the system when they are reported lost or stolen.

"We are taking advantage of proven technology, with this system already in place and operating overseas in Europe, the United States and Canada," Mr Conlon said.

Metrocard will replace the present Multitrip tickets, which will be phased out as the new machines are installed.

The Metrocard can be recharged at selected retail outlets, at stations, vending machines, on trains and trams and online.

An "autoload" facility can also be set up with customers nominating a bank account and an amount that will be automatically reloaded on to the Metrocard when credit falls below a certain level.

At long last!

[Nathan]

I really wish Adelaide Metro would engage some real graphic designers though. That sample card is embarrassing (and sadly, on par for them).

Will be good to see it up and running though. Any idea on whether they've licensed an existing smart card system, or developed their own?

[metro]

Agree with Nathan, they really need to employ some graphic designers and some people with better naming skills. But it's really not that bad, the graphic design and the name arent what bother me, just lucky they didnt call it the "super card" or "AdKi" (copying MyKi).

What bothers me is the way the card will be used, from the sounds of things it will still be validate every boarding, for buses and trams, that's not a problem. Trains however, it's a bit odd to keep it that way with validators and ticket machines on the train taking up space and taking up time as people gather around the doors of the train at every major station as people validate/buy/top up their tickets. I think they should just do it the way every other city else does it, have ticket machines at the stations with ticket gates at major stations and validator things at smaller stations.

[Aidan]

Agree with Nathan, they really need to employ some graphic designers and some people with better naming skills. But it's really not that bad, the graphic design and the name arent what bother me, just lucky they didnt call it the "super card" or "AdKi" (copying MyKi).

The trouble with the name is that New York beat us to it. Can't we even have a unique name? Why not Cuttlefish, for example?

Edit: Several cities use the name Metrocard. The New York Metrocard isn't a smartcard, but the Christchurch Metrocard is.

What bothers me is the way the card will be used, from the sounds of things it will still be validate every boarding, for buses and trams, that's not a problem. Trains however, it's a bit odd to keep it that way with validators and ticket machines on the train taking up space and taking up time as people gather around the doors of the train at every major station as people validate/buy/top up their tickets.

That could become more of a problem on trams than on trains.

I think they should just do it the way every other city else does it, have ticket machines at the stations with ticket gates at major stations and validator things at smaller stations.

What stations would you regard as major?

[metro]

What stations would you regard as major?

the way I imagine it is: 4 trains per hour, bus interchange, more than 100 passengers per day, close to a town centre or shopping complex.

Adelaide has very few: Salisbury and Elizabeth are two which come to mind, not sure if Noarlunga Centre has 4tph?, Oaklands is close to a large shopping complex but not really close enough, Mawson Lakes is almost there with the tilt-up concrete blocks of flats getting closer every year.

[crawf]

It's a very basic and cheap design, hope it's not the final design

The one I thing I do like is the city layout, that's pretty cool.

What bothers me is the way the card will be used, from the sounds of things it will still be validate every boarding, for buses and trams, that's not a problem. Trains however, it's a bit odd to keep it that way with validators and ticket machines on the train taking up space and taking up time as people gather around the doors of the train at every major station as people validate/buy/top up their tickets. I think they should just do it the way every other city else does it, have ticket machines at the stations with ticket gates at major stations and validator things at smaller stations.

Agreed.

[AtD]

I really wish Adelaide Metro would engage some real graphic designers though. That sample card is embarrassing (and sadly, on par for them).

The trouble with the name is that New York beat us to it. Can't we even have a unique name? Why not Cuttlefish, for example

Agree with Nathan, they really need to employ some graphic designers and some people with better naming skills. But it's really not that bad, the graphic design and the name arent what bother me, just lucky they didnt call it the "super card" or "AdKi" (copying MyKi).

It's a very basic and cheap design, hope it's not the final design

First world problems...

[Nathan]

First world problems...

With that logic, you could probably label any points we discuss on here as first world problems.

[[Shuz]]

I actually like the Metrocard, naming, graphic design, and all.

There was a different picture in the paper yesterday, which included a photo of the actual ticket machine they are to be used on.

They're yellow, and still have the old Crouzier validator on them as well.

So, unfortunately; in typical Adelaide fashion, we are getting a half-arsed attempt in the reform of our ticketing system, as the metrocards are only going to be replacing the Multitrip tickets. Daytrips and those other sort of tickets will still use the Crouzier system.

Sighs. No wonder its only $42m. Done on the cheap as per fucking usual.

[Will]

First world problems...

With that logic, you could probably label any points we discuss on here as first world problems.

Regardless, he does have a point.

If that is what we worry about, then we are doing really well.

[Westside]

I was hoping that the new ticketing system would be used to encourage more public transport usage by offering weekly/monthly and yearly passes, but alas it seems the Government has dropped the ball on that one. Most cities with smartcards offer period tickets like these as they encourage regular public transport use, ensure a greater minimum revenue and encourage use outside of peak periods (as it's essentially free for the cardholder).

So why is it not good enough for our system?

[Nathan]

I was hoping that the new ticketing system would be used to encourage more public transport usage by offering weekly/monthly and yearly passes, but alas it seems the Government has dropped the ball on that one. Most cities with smartcards offer period tickets like these as they encourage regular public transport use, ensure a greater minimum revenue and encourage use outside of peak periods (as it's essentially free for the cardholder).

So why is it not good enough for our system?

Where does it say that it won't be an option?

[Westside]

Where does it say that it won't be an option?

I haven't been told for sure, but it has been discussed on another forum:

http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewt ... 8&start=25

Not sure to take this as gospel, but if it's true then it's such a waste of a new ticketing system!