Public transport

I appreciate the efforts of MyZone in improving our public transport system, and I'm glad to hear that it's off to a good start. But for a revolutionary change to occur at this stage of transporting technology, only to reduce fare zones and incorporate private bus companies, is disappointing.

Not only is it expensive to commute in Sydney, but it frustratingly inflexible. Once you've purchased your ticket, your plans are locked in for you, unless you travel enough to warrant a MyMulti. Even then, you are restricted to travelling within that particular zone.

The only advantage I can come up with of retaining our printed paper tickets is that transit officers can come up to you on the trains, stop the song you're listening to or the paragraph you're reading, and demand to see your ticket (and possibly concession card). But hey, if we actually had functioning ticket barriers at every station, we wouldn't need the officers in the first place. (There may be the issue of giving them something to do, but surely the police can find other matters to expend time and effort on.)


Is it that hard to adopt a system like London's Oyster card or Hong Kong's Octopus card?

What amazed me the most in my recent visit to Hong Kong was the convenience brought about by their Octopus card. It was accepted on almost every domestic mode of transport (I had to pay for a separate ticket to Macau), and it worked as a debit card at vending machines, 7-Elevens, supermarket, etc. And it wasn't like you had to take it out of your wallet, or even your bag. The magnetic reader takes care of that.

And perhaps the most amazing thing about the Octopus card is that it was up and running in 1997. That's 13 years ago.

I sure hope the Tcard makes it through to conception this time.