Currently Browsing: Ticketing
Snapper Card Milestone
Posted by Jon C in TicketingFeb 5th, 2010 | 8 Comments
Wellington based Snapper card, which is being introduced onto its Auckland buses mid-year has issued its 100,000th card.
The company’s CEO,Miki Szikszai, says this shows that Snapper has been adopted by the masses in the Wellington market.
In other recent additions, card users can buy tickets for East by West Ferries and from March, can use their Snapper to tag-on and tag-off the ferry and make on-board purchases.
Snapper has developed a prototype self-service kiosk, where customers can receive an instant balance or top-up their Snapper using EFTPOS. Among retail use, cardholders can now...
myki’s Integrated Ticketing Disaster Continues
Posted by Jon C in Overseas, TicketingJan 31st, 2010 | No Comments
The introduction of the massively budget overblown integrated ticketing card for Victoria continues its incredible tale of disaster.
The project has cost $1.35 billion and, at last report, is $350m over budget.
The latest bombshell for the so-called myki card is the revelation that the government paid $1.2m just to change the screens of the myki validators from black and white to colour.
The change on almost 500 trams and 2,500 buses and coaches meant that some validators had to be ‘remanufactured’ which Opposition shadow minister for public transport, Terry Mulder, says is really code for...
How Auckland’s Integrated Ticketing Should Be In A Few Years! (Videos)
Posted by Jon C in Overseas, TicketingJan 3rd, 2010 | No CommentsReader James has just spent a week in Hong Kong and during his time there, bought an Octopus Card. It shows how great integrated smartcard ticketing will be for us once we get it in a few years.
Here’s his report and he shares the videos he took at a station:
The first video is using the ticket card at the Admiralty MTR Station in Hong Kong – and it shows how fast it is to process the cards through the turnstiles.
Notice that the woman at the end of the clip is fumbling but only because she can’t find her card, which is a single journey ticket.
This video shows us that same busy...
Waka, WhaleRider, JafaCard- Name Auckland’s Smart Card (Part 2)
Posted by Jon C in TicketingDec 10th, 2009 | 25 CommentsHere is the link to the earlier post mentioned in today’s Herald Sideswipe column about naming the new Auckland (and national) public transport card. (Thanks Ana)
The first 51 suggestions are on the earlier post here
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Waka, WhaleRider, JafaCard- Name Auckland’s Smart Card (Part 2)", url: "http://www.aucklandtrains.co.nz/2009/12/10/waka-whalerider-jafacard-name-aucklands-smart-card/" });
Suica, mPass: Mobile Integrated Ticketing is Next (Videos)
Posted by Jon C in TicketingDec 10th, 2009 | 4 Comments
As we head down the exciting track of integrated ticketing, let’s hope a mobile option could be offered soon in its implementation.
The world is heading down the m-payment route and Japan is leading the way.
If you have an iPhone and have used the mPass app to travel on Air NZ flights, you’ll already have had a taste of the exciting time saving and convenience of such mobile-based services. I used it on my recent flight to Wellington and it even saved me the already time –saving convenience of those recent self-service check-in kiosks at the domestic terminal.
With mPass on your iPhone, you...
Snapper CEO Replies
Posted by Jon C in TicketingDec 8th, 2009 | 8 CommentsMiki Szikszai, Snapper’s CEO, replies to my post on Snapper and Thales: Thanks for taking the trouble to comment.
“Interesting to read your comments on my observations yesterday.
There is no doubt that there will be competition in the market for a ticketing system. It is very clearly on the agenda for NZTA, as they discussed last week.
http://www.nzta.govt.nz/newsroom/info/467/index.html
“We are committed to providing opportunities for multiple private sector providers to be fully engaged in the various technologies that facilitate a functioning integrated ticketing system. Our focus...
Name Auckland’s New Transport SmartCard
Posted by Jon C in TicketingDec 8th, 2009 | 56 Comments
Now the integrated ticketing card is all go, it’s time to name the new card. See comments below.
The latest suggestions are here
Some cities have opted for fishing-themes such as Oyster – a theme adopted by Infratil with their Wellington-based Snapper card.
So what should we go with – here’s the chance to get something uniquely New Zealand.
Other names include Melbourne’s Myki card (as in My key) South Korea’s T-money (by the Snapper company), London’s regional sQuidcard, Japan’s Suica card.
So what do you reckon? The Joyce? The MikeLee card?
SHARETHIS.addEntry({...
Snapper Is Ticked Off
Posted by Jon C in TicketingDec 7th, 2009 | 5 Comments
Wellington-based ticketing and payment system company, Snapper, is not hiding the fact tonight that it’s peeved off with today’s go-ahead contract signing between the NZTA, ARTA, ARC and Thales – a company Snapper has labelled a French ammution company.
In the last few weeks, Snapper has increased its lobbying for its own card, announced it’s opening an Auckland office, persuaded the Herald to write an editorial and opinion piece praising it over other options and started rushing around Auckland to try to sign up operators other than its own NZBus operation.
Miki Szikszai,...
ARTA Says Thales Superior & Cost Efficient To Snapper
Posted by Jon C in TicketingDec 7th, 2009 | 1 CommentARTA, in signing the Thales deal for integrated ticketing this afternoon says this system is superior to that offered by Snapper, whose lobbying has been stepped up lately in the hope of making a last minute bid for the deal.
Chairman Rabin Rabindran said media speculation about the cost of Thales compared to Snapper had been wildly exaggerated.
The capex figure for the contract signed today at 4pm is way below some media speculation which had put it as high as $135m. The capex is $47m – which is $35m from NZTA and about $12m from ARTA.
ARTA says the operational cost will be $4m.
Central...
Look How Fast Integrated Ticketing Will Be (Videos)
Posted by Jon C in TicketingDec 7th, 2009 | 3 CommentsThis afternoon’s integrated ticketing deal with Thales brings us the very latest international standard ticketing.
Thales going with its Hong Kong Octopus Card technology, means we will zap through boarding.
Take a look at it in action on a Hong Kong bus:
And you can use it in Hong Kong in a variety of stores including McDonalds and even at Wilson Parking (yes, its there too!)
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Look How Fast Integrated Ticketing Will Be (Videos)", url: "http://www.aucklandtrains.co.nz/2009/12/07/look-how-fast-integrated-ticketing-will-be-videos/" });
Confirmed: Thales Deal Signed. Cost $47m
Posted by Jon C in TicketingDec 7th, 2009 | 3 CommentsAs predicted earlier in the day, the Thales deal on public transport integrated ticketing has been signed.
Here are the key details:
The capital cost of the project has come in at $47 million- a lot lower for ratepayers than had been speculated. Snapper has insisted theirs would mean no cost to tax and ratepayers. ARTA says the fact that NZTA is developing a core system for New Zealand means a greater contribution has come from central government, lessening the impact on the pockets of Auckland ratepayers.
Thales strategic partner, Octopus will supply the core central clearing house system.
It...
Phew! Integrated Ticketing Deal Sorted
Posted by Jon C in TicketingDec 7th, 2009 | 3 CommentsThe integrated ticketing saga will be done and dusted later today.
The word on the street is that ARTA will sign the deal with French company Thales later this afternoon.
As blogged last week, Infratil’s subsidiary Snapper, made a fuss last week about being able to offer its Snapper card as so-called integrated ticketing in time for the Rugby World Cup and offer it nationally without any cost to ratepayers.
ARTA reacted by saying that Snapper’s announcement of an integrated ticketing system for Auckland was ‘premature’. NZTA made it clear Snapper could also offer its card nationally but...
Govt Transport Agency Welcomes Snapper To Auckland
Posted by Jon C in Ticketing, busesDec 1st, 2009 | No Comments
In the latest twist in the integrated ticketing saga, the government’s transport agency has welcomed the bombshell announcement that Snapper is heading off preferred tenderer Thales and introducing its Snapper card into Auckland.
The NZ Transport Agency is making it clear that Snapper will be allowed into the integrating ticketing mix both in Auckland and nationwide.
The agency makes no mention of Thales by name – but NZTA chief executive, Geoff Dangerfield, said the NZTA would continue to engage with a range of technology and transport operators to ensure that “their preferences with...
Integrated Ticket Bombshell: Snapper’s Onslaught Into Auckland
Posted by Jon C in Ticketing, busesDec 1st, 2009 | 7 Comments
Infratil is upping the stakes in the integrated ticketing saga by revealing it’s going to steal the march on Thales, ARTA’s preferred supplier, and will go ahead anyway and bring its so-called integrated ticketing – in the form of its Snapper card – to Auckland from about June.
Dangling the carrot that it can bring a nationwide system in time for the RWC without any cost to Auckland ratepayers, Infratil will introduce the Snapper cards on NZ Buses in Auckland and by the end of next year, the cards will be available to 60% of Auckland’s public transport market.
It’s also pursuing...
Melbourne’s Myki Now “Overcooked Christmas Turkey”
Posted by Jon C in General, Overseas, TicketingNov 30th, 2009 | No Comments
Melbourne’s woeful attempt at integrated ticketing -detailed earlier – continues to run into problems.
Final official testing has shown it takes 4 or 5 seconds for the “Myki” card to be recognised by a reader.
This especially means trams will face longer stops as it will take people – who have to use the card getting off as well as on - a while to get through, rather than just hopping off the tram as happens now and letting the tram take off again.
The state’s opposition transport spokesman, Terry Mulder, is having a field day. He’s calling for the...
Snapper Hints It’s Making Progress To Win Over NZTA
Posted by Jon C in TicketingNov 19th, 2009 | 9 Comments
Wellington-based Snapper card, saying getting into the Auckland market remains its main focus, claims to have support from the transport agency.
In a press release, it says that Snapper is engaging with the board of NZTA “to define the architecture and standards for the proposed National Integrated Ticketing Programme.”
“Auckland remains a key area of focus for Snapper. Snapper has actively campaigned for a fair market in Auckland and has received good support from NZTA, operators and the general public. This is particularly important in a market that will be very competitive in the...
Melbourne’s Mighty myki Mess (Videos)
Posted by Jon C in TicketingNov 18th, 2009 | 5 Comments
Another worrying example of how we have to be on our guard to make sure we get integrated ticketing right- and go with a company that can deliver.
Melbourne’s integrated ticketing - a NZ$999m scheme called myki (“my key”) – four mad years in the making, was to have started finally on Monday – but it didn’t happen and no-one can say when.
The authorities have completely gone silent on the matter – and media speculate it won’t be for at least another month.
And today, the latest revelation that, in the new ticketing system, if your train is late...
Lively Debate Continues: Infratil versus Thales
Posted by Jon C in TicketingNov 9th, 2009 | 1 CommentBack on Saturday morning, I mentioned how lobbying was intensifying once again to publicly call for Infratil’s Wellington-established Snapper card to get the national integrated ticketing tender – even though it’s been confirmed as being French company Thales, ARTA’s preferred tenderer.
The Herald’s main Saturday columnist recommended Infratil’s Snapper card gets a re-think after a persuasive visit to the Herald from Infratil lobbyists persuaded him they were the better option.
Now popular Wellington-based right – wing blog Kiwiblog has agreed with that...
Infratil Still Lobbying Hard Over Integrated Ticketing Decision
Posted by Jon C in TicketingNov 7th, 2009 | 4 CommentsThey just won’t go away.
The decision has been made to go with Thales, ARTA’s choice, for an integrated ticket for public transport to be rolled out throughout the whole country.
That’s the overseas company Infratil’s Snapper CEO publicly labels Thailes “the French armaments company,” which makes it sound part of some axis of evil.
It’s actually a company to be doing amazingly complex integrated ticketing jobs around the world – as shown in the videos of the amazing recent job in Dubai with the modern Dubai Metro system.
After months of waiting for officials...
Manukau Mayor Wants Single Transport Ticket For RWC
Posted by Jon C in TicketingNov 4th, 2009 | 4 Comments
Manukau Mayor Len Brown is calling for a single ticket system saying it’s the missing link in the integrated ticketing announcement.
He especially wants one in place by the time the Rugby World Cup happens in 2011.
The mayor welcomes the news that the integrated ticketing is moving ahead but says a “single ticket system is the missing link that will pull together all of Auckland’s public transport and make it easier for people to use.”
“The growing numbers on buses and trains shows that if we provide a good service people will use it. But it also needs to be simple, one ticket...
Odd Way To Celebrate Good News
Posted by Jon C in TicketingNov 3rd, 2009 | 7 Comments
If I were running public transport in Auckland, I would have celebrated wildly today.
Hours after the announcement of integrated ticketing – one of the most major steps to show commitment to public transport and something that helps us catch up with major overseas cities – I would have had balloons and an information display at Britomart explaining to people what it means.
That could have been prepared months ago as we awaited the decision.
So what did we get?
DAY 33 - where are the maintenance inspectors?
One of those military-style ticket inspections, described in ridiculous politically...
What Thales Can Bring Us (If We Have The Money!) -Videos
Posted by Jon C in Overseas, TicketingNov 2nd, 2009 | 2 Comments
Dubai Metro's Thales cards known as NOl
Dubai’s flash new Metro rail system gives us a glimpse of what Thales could bring us if we could afford it. The system is compatible with Dubai’s other public transportation modes, creating an integrated transport network.
And , as you’ll see from the video below, it sure ain’t Snapper.
Thales equipped all stations along the route with access gates, ticket vending machines, station computers and a central controlling system.
There are four types of cards including a gold card. the company explains how it works:
So let’s...
ARTA Can Now Celebrate
Posted by Jon C in TicketingNov 2nd, 2009 | 8 Comments
ARTA has breathed a sigh of relief that integrated ticketing is at last confirmed and to its chosen tender, Thales.- and it should take a bow for its great job on sorting it out and pushing it, against an increasingly vigorous last minute push from Infratil.
ARTA’s Chairman, Rabin Rabindran says, “ARTA is delighted with this news which means we can now move to finalise contract negotiations with our preferred tenderer, a consortium made up of French electronics company, Thales, in partnership with the Bank of New Zealand and Transfield services.
“This is a critical and long awaited next step...
Confirmed: Integrated Ticketing Is Go With Thales
Posted by Jon C in TicketingNov 2nd, 2009 | No Comments
As you read here earlier today on this aucklandtrains blog, the long awaited integrated ticketing decision has finally been made and we can get on with it.
And thankfully the right people – French company Thales, have got it.
Here’s the announcement:
The NZ Transport Agency Board has agreed to establish a national ticketing programme for public transport in New Zealand, and has approved funding for the development of the Auckland Regional Transport Authority’s integrated ticketing and fares systems as a first step.
Integrated ticketing is a critical component for any well-functioning...
Getting Integrated Ticketing Right
Posted by Jon C in General, TicketingNov 2nd, 2009 | 6 CommentsThe dangers of getting integrated ticketing in the hands of the wrong company are re-enforced with a weekend story in a West Australian paper about the sorry saga of a once online company darling whose plans for integrated ticketing in Australia came to none.
The company, then called ERG, won projects to integrate public transport ticketing systems in Sydney, Melbourne and as far afield as Rome, Beijing and San Francisco. But it never managed to reconcile its skinny balance sheet with the level of funding needed to undertake projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars. When projects were delayed,...
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