Media Release: SMARTCARD TICKETING TAKES MAJOR STEP FORWARD

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PREMIER

DATE: Tuesday, July 12, 2005

SMARTCARD TICKETING TAKES MAJOR STEP FORWARD

An international consortium of transport and technology specialists, Kamco, has been selected to work in partnership with the State Government to develop Victoria’s next generation of public transport ticketing.

Premier, Steve Bracks, today announced that Kamco had been awarded a $494 million contract to implement the smartcard ticketing system, following a rigorous nine month tendering process.

“The days of continually needing to buy new tickets are numbered. In 2007, Victorians will enter an era of smartcard travel that will help deliver a simpler and more convenient public transport system,” Mr Bracks said.

“The selection of Kamco will bring significant economic benefits to Melbourne and Victoria, creating up to 100 jobs.”

Kamco brings together four of the world’s leading transport and technology experts – Keane Inc, Ascom, ERG and Giesecke & Devrient Australasia (G&D).

Keane will build the technology backbone of the smartcard system; Ascom will provide all fare collection equipment and the terminal management system; ERG will manage the installation and maintenance of the fare collection equipment and G&D will provide the actual smartcards.

“Passengers will be able to use their own long life smartcard to travel on metropolitan trains, trams, buses, as well as V/Line trains and coaches and major regional bus services.

“The smartcard is a durable plastic card which can be pre-loaded with monetary value – it only needs to be scanned for less than half a second, and can be used from inside a wallet or handbag.

“As people scan on and off the system, the card will calculate the best value fare for their journey and debit the required amount.

“Regular users will have the option of loading value onto their smartcards using credit cards, debit cards or cash at train stations, dedicated machines, online or over the telephone.

“Alternatively, users can purchase disposable smartcards using cash at a station, or on board a tram or bus – an attractive choice for casual users and tourists.”

Mr Bracks said other activities, such as newspaper purchase and dry cleaning, could be incorporated into the smartcard system in the future, but the initial focus would be on bringing benefits to public transport ticketing.

“The Transport Ticketing Authority (TTA) and Kamco will now finalise contractual arrangements and start the work of building a new world class ticketing system for Victorians.”
Transport Minister, Peter Batchelor said further contracts would be let for additional civil works associated with the project.

“Consistent with the existing contract, we envisage further contracts to deal with various aspects of the operation, administration and marketing of the new ticketing system,” Mr Batchelor said.

“The overall cost of the project will be in keeping with the current OneLink contract, while providing a substantially improved ticketing system for Victoria’s travelling public.

“As the project progresses and additional contractual arrangements are finalised, there will be further announcements regarding these matters.

“Today’s announcement signals the start of a period of intense activity during which the TTA and Kamco will work closely with customers, transport operators, special interest groups and other key stakeholders to develop the detail of the Victorian smartcard ticketing system.”

Activities to be undertaken during this phase include:
�Refinement of equipment design and operation to suit the Victorian train, tram and bus system;
�Identification of the exact location and number of ticket scanning devices on stations, trains, trams and buses;
�Development and refinement of payment and “back office” processes and
�Preparation of customer marketing and communication systems, including interactive website and call centre

Mr Batchelor said following the business requirements phase, mobile and fixed demonstration suites would be available from next year to enable people to experience first hand the smartcard technology being tailored for Victoria.

“A trial of smartcard technology will take place in regional Victoria once testing is completed, and those in the trial will be the first to pay all their fares with the same long life smartcard,” Mr Batchelor said.

“There’s a massive amount of work to be done over the next two years, but with the selection of Kamco as our project partner, we are on track to deliver a world class ticketing solution to Victoria.”