Main Stream Media SCREW UP
Main Stream Media Failure
I know for a fact that various elements of: Auckland Transport, Auckland Council and Veolia Transport Auckland keep tabs on this blog. Well guys today I hope you are very well-paying attention as the Main Stream Media has just gone fouled up on a story about the Ticketing Machines slowly going live on the rail platforms.
This is the offending article:
From Stuff.co.nz – Auckland Now
All change for train ticket system
Last updated 09:55 10/09/2012
Ticket machines for Auckland’s new AT Hop service are being introduced across the train network today as the new ticketing system rolls out.
The machines will appear in West Auckland first and will be available elsewhere within a fortnight.
On board ticket sales are being phased out and passengers must now buy tickets before they board, Auckland Transport’s chief operations officer Greg Edmonds said.
To begin with commuters will only be able to buy single trip tickets, but from October 28 they’ll be able to buy 10-trip tickets, day passes and monthly passes.
Edmonds said commuter’s tickets may be checked before they board, during their journey or at their destination.
“The progress we are undertaking in the public transport area with AT HOP is on a scale that has rarely been seen in Auckland,” he said.
“We do ask for people’s patience as this is a massive technological change and there are bound to be some minor technical implementation issues which we will work as fast as possible to fix, should they occur.”
Edmonds said Auckland Transport would have people on hand to help customers deal with the changes.
Auckland Transport last month scrapped a deal with electronic card supplier Snapper after it failed to meet deadlines to roll out a payment system incorporating trains, buses and ferries.
Auckland Transport instead created Hop cards which will eventually be able to be used across all public transport. The cards will come into effect on trains and ferries in the next two months and the old ones will be phased out permanently next year.
The offending part of that article I have placed in red bold letters.
That article from Auckland now cam from this media release from Auckland Transport:
Ticket & Top-Up machines rolled out for AT HOP
Last reviewed: 10/09/2012 8:02 a.m.
Media release: 10 September 2012
Auckland Transport HOP (AT HOP) is getting closer for trains with the progressive roll out of Ticket & Top-Up machines on the rail network from today.
Auckland Transport’s Chief Operations Officer, Greg Edmonds says, “We are moving into an era of large scale change in the public transport arena in Auckland as we head towards the next phase of integrated ticketing on rail on 28 October.
“Ticket & Top-Up machines are being rolled out on Auckland’s rail network over the next fortnight starting in the west.
“On board ticket sales on trains are being phased out. As the machines are rolled out, customers will be able to buy their tickets before they board. The type of ticket able to be purchased from the machines is also being phased in. To start with, single ride tickets will be sold from the machines.
“From 28 October, 10 trip tickets, Day Rover and Monthly Passes for trains will be replaced by AT HOP. Monthly passes will be loaded onto the HOP card and stored value can be added to the card to pay for single trips. Other passes will be replaced by the HOP card over time. Ultimately all tickets will be purchased off board.
“Customers should be aware that tickets may be checked either before they board, while they are on the train or at their destinations.
“More detailed information will be available as changes are implemented and Auckland Transport will keep reminding customers of these changes through a variety of communications channels including www.AT.co.nz/trainchanges.
Mr Edmonds says, “The progress we are undertaking in the public transport area with AT HOP is on a scale that has rarely been seen in Auckland. We do ask for people’s patience as this is a massive technological change and there are bound to be some minor technical implementation issues which we will work as fast as possible to fix, should they occur.
“Auckland Transport will have people on the ground to help customers as we move towards this change which will help progress our city further into a space which other international cities enjoy.”
The part in Green Bold text is what AT actually said – and is correct according to this web page from AT: Train Changes Must read news for all train customers - in which this was said:
10 Trip tickets are being replaced
10 Trip tickets will be replaced by the new Auckland Transport HOP prepay card
(AT HOP). You will still keep your 10 Trip ticket discount on the AT HOP card.
- 10 September 2012:
10 Trip tickets will no longer be sold on-board trains or rail replacement buses.
- 27 October 2012:
You can still buy 10 Trip tickets from Ticket Offices and Ticket Agents until 27 October 2012.
- From 28 October 2012:
10 Trip tickets will be replaced by the AT HOP card. If you have a 10 Trip ticket, you can still use it until its expiry date which will be stamped on the ticket so you can use the full value.
And finally we have this that was doing the rounds from Auckland Transport:
Auckland Now have gone and created confusion with their sloppy reporting. For absolute clarity I have reposted in full the information from Auckland Transport. So someone in AT Comms needs to go clear that mess up rather promptly please – NOW
To all rail passengers, LISTEN to what AT has released – not the main stream media to save yourself absolute confusion.
If you would like a simplified version of the ticketing regime I have this here for you:
Monday 10 September 2012 – REMEMBER THAT DATE IF YOU CATCH THE TRAINS!
WHY?
Because On-board Train Staff come Monday 10 September 2012 will no longer sell the following tickets to passengers:
- 10-Trip Tickets (all stages and both adult and kiddies)
- Day Rovers
- Discovery Passes
- Family Passes
Basically only Single Trip and Super Gold tickets will be sold on-board the trains!
Why does the MSM go screw something so simple up and generate more confusion than necessary…
Going to be a long two weeks out there for everyone :/
