tcard plan hits complications

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NSW Government's TCard plan hits complications
Tuesday 20 March 2007


The much-maligned and long-delayed TCard is almost impossible to deliver in its present form because the New South Wales Government wants to incorporate too many different fares and discounts, industry experts say.

Over 70 fare choices are to be included in the ticketing system. However, where travel smart cards have worked well, such as in Hong Kong, London and Singapore, fare structures are much simpler, and mostly based on distance or zonal systems.

There are rumours the Government is considering simplifying the fare structure to get the stalled project moving again.

The TCard is now more than seven years late. Trials involving 2000 commuters planned for last October did not begin. The Government's plan says the card will not be rolled out until 2011.

Recently, the Bus and Coach Association of NSW criticised the use of a 20-year-old fare structure that had been progressively patched rather than starting with an efficient, simple, integrated fare system.

Transport Minister John Watkins says a bus commuter field trial would be the next testing phase. A rail commuter trial was expected in the second half of the year