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Action for Public Transport (N.S.W.) Inc.

Sydney "Smartcard" - no assurance yet on trouble-free introduction

posted Tuesday 2 March 2010
Many cities around the world now have "smartcard" tickets for use on public transport. Most have experienced problems with the introduction of the new tickets. Passengers have invariably suffered inconvenience and frustration during the introductory phase and few have been compensated for that inconvenience.

So in January 2010 we asked Sydney's Public Transport Ticketing Corporation for assurances that the PTTC would learn from those cities and Sydney's commuters would be sparred all the inconvenience and frustration. We sought assurances that processes and standards would be established to protect Sydney passengers before contracts were let for the Sydney smartcard, so that suitable clauses could be incorporated, if necessary or desirable, in the contract documentation.

Unfortunately, no such assurances have been forthcoming. We have however been offered "stakeholder engagement and consultation".

PTTC expects to sign a contract for Sydney's Electronic Ticketing System in the first quarter of 2010.



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