tcard

It seems that train field trials in NSW are underway.

Below are extracts form a rail related forum.

Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 9:52 am
this from the railcorp news letter given to staff

First steps towards Tcard
RailCorp began the first of two Tcard Ticketing
System field trials in February; an important step
towards introducing the NSW Government
initiative.
Tcard is a Smartcard fare collection system that
will ultimately replace the existing magneticstripe
and paper-based tickets of all train, bus
and ferry operators in the greater Sydney area.
Smartcard ticketing systems similar to Tcard
are already operating in other major cities
around the world. The first field trial, commonly
known as the “legacy field trial,” aims to
ensure ticketing equipment upgraded to the
Tcard system will operate normally without disrupting customers’ ability to
purchase and use existing magnetic-stripe tickets. During the trial ticketing
devices were upgraded with new software and hardware at Ashfield
Station.
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The stated objective is to allow the software to operate BOTH the CUBIC and ERG ticketing systems simultaneously.
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Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 11:21 am
Ah-ha! That explains it! It does cause one extremely minor issue - the barriers take about a second or two longer before they open after removing your ticket - other than that which most people won't even notice, all good from this customer's perspective.
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The most encouraging news for some time!

Cheers....