‘Phantom buses’ targeted in public transport overhaul
Using a ticketing system as old as the BlackBerry and Blu-Ray player, public transportation is set to benefit from sweeping technology upgrades.
Online accounts that can locate buses in real time and see live passenger numbers will be some of the benefits of the NSW government’s $800 million boost to the system.
Other upgrades include real-time information about pay deductions and automatic compensation through a digital-based account.
NSW Premier Chris Minns told reporters that the new system is aimed at solving the ghost bus problem that is weighing down the state’s most popular means of transport.
“We’ve heard over and over about ghost buses on the network; there was an app that said a bus was on the way but it never arrived,” he said.
“This latest Opal upgrade will mean buses will arrive (and) you will know exactly where they are.”
Sixty per cent of public transport users in NSW currently pay by credit card but NSW Transport Secretary Josh Murray said all existing payment methods would continue.
He said the current Opal card system was 30 years old and was a reflection of London’s Oyster card.
“Just like the BlackBerry or the Blu-Ray player, which were invented around the same time, they did their job,” Mr. Murray said.
“It’s time to move on.”
Transport Minister John Graham said the upgraded system would be built by Init, a German technology company, and would address ongoing safety issues.
“This system will be much better positioned to deal with the kinds of security challenges that any government or society has to think about,” he said.
The changes are planned to start from the middle of next year and become fully functional by 2028.
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