Free ride: A sign letting the public know the system isn’t working. Photo: Facebook
Transport Canberra bus drivers have been instructed to stop placing “out of order” notices on MyWay+ card validators.
It is understood that some frustrated drivers have taken to using makeshift notices of their own if the validator isn’t working or is only working intermittently, instead of having to advise every passenger who boards.
On Monday (3 November), a notice appeared in the Starters Office at the Belconnen Transport Canberra depot, according to a reader who also supplied a photo.
It said: “Please DO NOT place any ‘Out of Order’ signs on validators today. If they are not working, please just tell passengers to take a seat.”
Despite Transport Minister Chris Steel stating that most of the MyWay+ bugs have been fixed and the system is functional, public transport users continue to report buses where card readers don’t work, resulting in free rides, or the real-time tracking system not functioning.
Posts on the Public Transport Association of Canberra (PTCBR) Facebook page indicate there are still too many times when the machines do not work, there are problems with ticket vending machines, and bus audio announcements fail.
One says that many light rail travellers walk straight past the card readers without logging on or off.
Another says there are still “pockets of disaster”.
The notice in the Belconnen Bus Depot. Photo: Supplied.
In the wake of the devastating committee report on the rollout of the new ticketing sytem, Mr Steel has taken responsibility for the failings and acknowledged their impacts on travellers.
He also belatedly apologised, after initially refusing to do so.
However, Mr Steel also insists that Canberra now has a ticketing system that delivers what most people want – the capacity to pay by credit/debit card, phone, or smartwatch.
When asked last week about how much revenue was being forgone because of failing card readers, Mr Steel said it was too difficult to determine and some buses were not fitted with the system hardware because they would be retired soon.
Mr Steel said that the contractor, NEC, would be constantly updating and improving the system as part of its $64 million, 10-year contract.
PTCBR declined to comment on the drivers’ actions but was quick to welcome the committee report when it was tabled in the Assembly last week.
“This report details a project that ignored community advice and failed to deliver on basic requirements,” said chair Dr Amy Jelacic.
PTCBR said public transport systems must be intuitive, user-friendly, and accessible, and the inquiry’s report revealed many points of failure.
A Transport Canberra spokesperson said an unofficial “out of order” notice was placed in the Belconnen Depot over the weekend, which failed to follow procedures in place.
The spokesperson said Transport Canberra and NEC were monitoring and testing the performance of on-bus ticketing equipment.
“If ticketing equipment experiences a fault whilst in service this is to be reported for investigation by the Transport Canberra workshop staff, who will install official out-of-service signage and manage updates, or similar fixes, as required,” the spokesperson said.
“Transport Canberra does not remove these buses from service. Where the ticketing equipment has a fault, customers are able to travel for free on these occasions.”
