Hello all, i am a begginer at all this.At around 10.50am I was just getting on route 160 heading to East Perth (Bus Number: 1278), when i noticed the smartrider machine displaying "File Download, 249 Faled". I was lucky enough to have a camera on me, so i took a photo of it. I am curious to what the 249 Error is?

I also noticed that if you use a multi-rider, the new smartrider machine next to the driver does not state that a multi-rider was validated (Didn't the old multirider systems display a validation? im pretty certain it did..). Is this because the new smartrider system is not hooked up and connected to the multirider system?I hear alot of problems are starting to emerge with the new ticketing system.

Hope some one can give me some details on this.Appreciate it -If you have any thing you would like to share on this topic feel free.

miketransperth: As a bus driver, I see this all the time, unsure whats the proplem is but it would have to be some thing with the new software, you have to understand that the new machines including the Smartrider reader and the new ETIM (Electronic Ticketing Issue Machine) is new technology and still using the multirider machine which is old techonlogy. They once the muiltirider machine has been removed things should get better (WE HOPE)

Australind: yes that makes sence, thanks.Alot of problems have been arised recently, as i was speeking to a bus driver today @ booragoon bus station, who kindly let me take photos of the bus. He actually told me to speek to you (i will PM you).

So you said the multi-rider were connected to the smartrider?Does that meen if a passenger validates his multi-rider, it displays that on the smartrider machine?Because i have noticed that it did not, thus meens people can easily scam the system? or am i mistaken.

Alot of buses i have also come across had their multi-riders out of service and wouldnt work, giving people with multiriders a free ride, the whole new ticketing system seems like a real pain in the behind for the bus drivers.

Not sure about all buses but today the mulitrider machine on 1159 (freo bus) was displaying cable error and beeping all the time so the driver had to give free rides.

It also depends on what day aswell!! I like to know if the ones on the train stations have the same problems.

I think today was the first time i had ever seen a mulitrider machine not work.

Most of the smartriders i've seen south of the river are connected and are working properly opposed to some in the north.

I don't care how long and how many times the introduction date is delayed as Perth will eventually have a modern smartrider system before any other Australian city. If it was introduced now, we would all be complaining due to the major problems opposed to just being patient.

Ok hadn't heard of that Tcard system in Sydney however i should have said our system will be the first to be introduced across the entire network along with all the transperth passengers. Queensland are introduing smartcards in 2006 however only be region by region.

People always fear new and changed systems due to technology having glitches however once these are overcome by the large team working on our transperth smartcard system, it will be great.

I do agree that at current it is a competition.

Unfortunately, with all of the constant glitches in the system, I cannot see it being fully functional and bug free for around 5 years. The gates and TOTOs at train stations seem to have a mind of their own, with alarms always going off for no reason and not being able to be rectified, and gates not allowing people to tag on or off.

The fare gates are not staffed all the time, and when I was at Clarkson on Christmas pagent night it was a constant source of amusement watching small children find it amusing to crawl under the gates, and children and adults alike putting their hands over the sensors and setting off the alarms..

True i already have had my Smartrider since the biginning of the year and there are many problems with them mainly on the buses. I also know a large number of people who have them and say that it aint as good because the sensors on the buses cant detect the card very well. Really the only reason i bet this is being done is to be in the same line as the other states. Its also the same with other stuff like the lights on Police Vehicles, Uniforms which are the same as Adelaides of which I noticed on the news

Also another Problem is when the system is implemented is at stations with faregates. The Problem is at Stations like at Whitfords and Warwick is that they put fare gates on the footbridge from oneside to the other with a small gate for disabled access . But the issue is that how are you going to buy a cash ticket which some people buy and may scare them away from these stations....

I've only seen the faregates on the footbridges once or so however i thought i observed that the ticket machines were before the faregates.

Exactly which is what i said the ticket machines are before he fare gates

Hi Guys.

I have just come back from holiday through Hong Kong and Singapore who both have a similay Proximity reader system. It is so easy and handy to use, and you dont even have to take the card out ao a bag, just plonk the bag onto of the reader and it recognises it.

The other great thing over there, is that more and more retailers (mainly fast food at the mo) are also installing the readers at the cash registers, so you can pay for those items if there is sufficient sunds in the card.

I look forward to its introduction here.