--- InTramsDownUnder@..., Matthew Geier <matthew@...> wrote:
>

> Greg wrote:

> > In Sydney the basic problem is what's the point of having a smart card system when you have a (very) dumb fare system?

> >

> Not all of Sydney's fare system is dumb. I have nothing against the

> idea of a distance based fare, which under all the options and

> complexity, is all it is.

> A smart-card system that uses the smarts to calculate the correct fare

> with a distance-based system is easily doable and done in multiple cities..

>

> The trouble with Sydney is the per km rate varies on distance and mode,

> and even on the same mode between different operators.

> Why should my colleague who chooses to live 100km out of the city pay a

> significantly lower per km rate on the trains than I do who makes only a

> 12km journey ?. My local privately operated bus routes have

> significantly more expensive fares than the 'Government' buses for

> distance travelled.

>

>

> If it was a pure distance based fare, consistent across operators with

> 'transfer credits' (some what like Singapore) so multi-modal journeys

> were not penalised, I'd be happy. Sydney has a sound underlying idea

> that has been vandalised.

>

Fully agree with your points.

A further inequity with the current system is that if the system cannot provide you with a one seat (ie direct) service you are penalised (two flag falls, extra distance,extra time especially with poor connecting services).

This also discourages transfers (eg from rail to road) and maintains the Balkanalisation of our transport with its çompeting 'modes'.

I'm a Sydneysider but Melbourne's zone system is far more sensible. Most cities/countries with sensible, user friendly public transport that covers an extended network utilise the zone system and the majority operate effectively without smart cards.

Greg