[LINK] Vic transport smartcard to cost $1bn

[Marghanita da Cruz]

Craig Sanders wrote:
<snip>
> the amazing thing, to me, is that it's almost impossible to see where
> the actual value in a system like this is. what benefit does it give
> - to anyone, but especially to the public transport users? more
> importantly, what benefit does it give that's actually worth hundreds of
> millions of dollars (or over $1bn with all the stuffups)?
> 
> 
> IMO, it's a lot like e-voting. no benefit to anyone at all *except*
> for those flogging the system and those who want to exploit the
> system's flaws. worse, it introduces several new failure modes and an
> unneccessary dependancy on fickle new technlogy.
> 
<snip>

As an irregular, but frequent, user of public transport, I can see value in a
single ticketing system. Also, in choice in pricing - based on a period of time
- weekly pass, daily pass etc.

The problem with implementing new technology is
generally not a failure of technology, but a failure to implement the business
practices around it. This requires high level change across government agencies.

Like tollways, there is also the financial management aspect of managing the 
funds gathered.

The victorian audit report  (october 07) is here
<http://www.audit.vic.gov.au/reports_par/agp128cv.html>

The NSW auditor did a report into public transport (I suspect the ERG one/like 
the Cross Sydney Tunnel will be of limited public reading value as there are 
legal battles ensuring)
<http://www.audit.nsw.gov.au/publications/reports/performance/2007/public_transport/publictransport-contents.htm>

Marghanita
-- 
Marghanita da Cruz
http://www.ramin.com.au
Phone: (+61)0414 869202