So far, more than $1.35 billion has been spent on the development of Myki, paid to a consortium of private companies. Compare this to the $350 million per year (adjusted for inflation) spent on public transport before privatisation. Overall, privatisation has cost the public over $2 billion more than public ownership. While most people are concerned about the impact of car pollution on air quality and climate change, most Melburnians travel by car, in part because public services are inadequate and poorly integrated. If the public transport system was free, none of this would be necessary. A free, integrated and properly staffed public transport network, under public ownership and control, is worth fighting for. 4pm. Transport Minister's Office, 121 Exhibition St, City.
Rally: Scrap Myki, make public transport free.
Friday, May 25, 2012 - 16:00
Comments
Anonymous replied on Permalink
While few would disagree that the myki project hasn't been executed particularly well in a general sense, you might want to actually start out your rant with factual information. $1.35bn has not been spent on the development myki because only a bit over half of that figure has actually been spent to date. A big chunk of the $1.35bn fact you've swallowed from the constant media bashing of myki is actually the operating cost for the first 10 years after full introduction. Ironically a not insignifcant chunk of additional cost now incurred has been the result of still running Metcard in parallel more than 2.5 years into the changoever process because the persistent scare mongering and bashing in the media has kept people needlessly clinging to Metcard. Move on please and stop living in the past!
Anonymous replied on Permalink
Though I agree public transport should be free and would be good for the environment as well as public health (and I won't bring up the massive amounts of cash the TAC pays out to accident victims that could be saved) however our public transport could not cope with a sudden influx of users. More to the point, Myki will replace ticketing systems in every town in Victoria. So everyone who keeps comparing it to the oyster system is comparing apples with oranges.
So 1.35 billion to replace every piece of equipment in the state (approx 4500 buses) plus depot equipment etc, upkeep and maintain it for ten years, a system that will give a far greater picture of utilization across the state for capacity planning. You expect what exactly to happen? For them to cancel the contract, pay Kamco a 10 year management fee for doing nothing. Cancel the contracts with the private operators and have the government set up depots and staff them?
Your idea doesn't seem very well thought out
(and noni don't work for any of the above mentioned parties)
Anonymous replied on Permalink
Um the reason people are clinging to Metcard is that they see the queues, and hear all the people having problems with their myki cards. Now what option will there be if your myki card is not working once Metcard is gone?
Myki insists the users are in error : if you want to see how many so called 'dumb' commuters there are go to #mykihate on twitter.
Myki just doesn't work properly at the moment, and I dread having to change over at the end of the year.
Anonymous replied on Permalink
I'm surprised the "Green Left" haven't thought about the paper that will be saved as a result of not having to print so many Metcards.
Public transport will never be free, it will cost too much and bring even more of the unsavoury types that many avoid public transport for right now.
Anonymous replied on Permalink
I'm a regular commuter who has chosen to travel by public transport to work even though it takes longer, so that I can play my part in reducing road congestion and contribute to a healthier environment. Sometimes I feel unsafe and other times i'm bothered by othe passengers but I tolerate this.
Since the introduction of myki, I no longer want to travel this way. The reasons;
1. I can top up online, great! But it takes 24 hours to register. Not so great.
2. There is only one machine at most train stations. So commuters angrily wait to try and top their cards up or risk catching their train and being fined.
3. There are generally only 2 machines ot touch off on. Again commuters angrily wait to touch off. Many not bothering to as the cards are tempramental and they rush to try not to inconvenience other commuters.
4. The cards regularly fail to touch on or off on trains, buses or trams. Again commuters angrily trying to touch on or off.
5. More recently my card has become defective. So I can touch on, but it won't allow me to touch off easily. This results in me being charged extra for not touching off and being treated like a fool at stations by staff because 'I mustn't be doing it properly'. I've had the card for over a Year and lived in London for 8 Years. I can touch a card on and off. Myki's response to this was they would issue a replacement card with a transferred balance but this would take two weeks to arrive. 'How will I travel in the meantime I asked?'. The only option is to buy another card. What I joke. My other option is to forget public transport all together for continually inconveniences.
If you really want people to travel on public transport it's easy. Timely transport and convenient, easy to use systems.