Future of Public Transport Ticketing

[PeFe]

This thread is dedicated to discussing the future of public transport ticketing in Adelaide.

For example, should Adelaide Metro adopt a tap-on tap-off-system in the future to collect more usage data, and maybe even change the fare structure to a distance based tariff?

How will the introduction of contactless payment options (usually a credit or debit card) affect the way people use the public transport system?

Discuss.

[PeFe]

Suggestion 1 : Create a daily cap for Metrocard, say $10, you could use public transport as much as you want until 4am and only pay $10. Yes we have
a paper ticket for that but that is part of the problem, a Metrocard user must pre-judge how much travel they will do across a calendar day
and must decide between using the card or buying a ticket. Paper ticket should be priced above the Metrocard price to encourage card use.

Suggestion 2 : Create a 7-day pass for Metrocard appropriately priced. Another option for someone who will use a lot of public transport across one
week, better value than buying a daytrip everyday. Good value for visitors spending more than 3 days in Adelaide.

[Nort]

This thread is dedicated to discussing the future of public transport ticketing in Adelaide.

For example, should Adelaide Metro adopt a tap-on tap-off-system in the future to collect more usage data,

Nope. It's possible to gather the data without changing the way the whole system works and placing all the extra ticket readers that would be required.

and maybe even change the fare structure to a distance based tariff?

Definitely not, the current 2 hour system is fantastic and easy to understand.

How will the introduction of contactless payment options (usually a credit or debit card) affect the way people use the public transport system?

Discuss.

If it operates much like the current Metrocard, I'd say not much at all, except for being more tourist friendly. I'd be in favour of it since it would avoid the occasionally early morning run to the newsagent to charge my Metrocard.

[PeFe]

Nope. It's possible to gather the data without changing the way the whole system works and placing all the extra ticket readers that would be required.

How?
I do not know what exactly Metrocard is capable of, technically speaking.

Perth bought an off the shelf system (same price as Metrocard, but 5 years earlier) that seems to be able to collect data and charge a distanced based tariff that allows 2-3 hours to complete the journey, and yes you're right, you would need more readers for the buses, but your knowledge of customers exact journeys would increase dramatically.

A distance based fare system reflects a truer cost (for the transport authority) for the service provided.

[Verbatim9]

News and Discussion Trams thread---> Tap and Pay on Trams

[Verbatim9]

NFCW---> Adelaide to roll out open loop tap-and-pay ticketing across public transport network

Adelaide Metro is to enable passengers to make contactless fare payments with their credit or debit card or their tap-and-pay digital wallet on all its bus, train and tram services in the South Australian state capital.

The transit authority began testing the open loop contactless ticketing system on the city’s tram network in September 2020 and is now preparing for a full rollout, beginning with its O-Bahn bus rapid transit services next year.

The system will complement the existing metroCARD transit card and Seniors Card fare payment options, with tap-and-pay users being charged the equivalent of a single regular metroCARD fare that will remain valid for two hours.

[Verbatim9]

https://youtu.be/kTq9RQWes5w

Looks like the new green tick and other new icons are a standard nationwide. Qld smart ticketing taking a similar approach with the new symbols on their new validators.

[Verbatim9]

IT news---> SA gov nears end of public transport ticketing upgrade on buses, trams

[PeFe]

Yes trams and buses but not trains (with no timeline indicating when trains will be done)

Better to do them all at once so the public is not confused over what works as payment methods.

[MT269]

Suggestion 1 : Create a daily cap for Metrocard, say $10, you could use public transport as much as you want until 4am and only pay $10. Yes we have
a paper ticket for that but that is part of the problem, a Metrocard user must pre-judge how much travel they will do across a calendar day
and must decide between using the card or buying a ticket. Paper ticket should be priced above the Metrocard price to encourage card use.

You'll see a high speed train from Adelaide to Mt Gambier, and possibly even Auckland before a daily cap is ever implemented. From what I can tell, 99% of PT enthusiasts are passionately against it, and will condemn any mention of it. As to why, it is not disclosed, and never will be. It always falls on deaf ears when suggested to the DIT. I can imagine protests and riots if it is ever approved, due to an unknown reason. It could be due to a possible 10% fare increase to recover lost revenue.

Adelaide would need to be renamed, if the PT system ever gets brought up to 21st century standards. PT is still stuck in the 1920s, with running times that can be done in a horse and cart, especially on weekdays.