All systems are “go” with new go card gaining ground in Brisbane

In the early hours of Monday 4th August 2008, and with the click of a mouse, new fare tables carrying discount incentives for TransLink’s go card smart card were distributed across the TransLink Transit Authority’s fare collection network in South East Queensland, Australia.

Once TransLink had decided on the fare policy changes that they wanted to implement, it was up to the Cubic team to make sure the tables were properly populated, systems tested, patron support notified and trained, and the entire system appropriately updated.

The new fare policy gives go card users a minimum 20% discount on every trip. And because TransLink is a zone-based system, commuters could see even greater fare discounts up to 67.5%, depending on the number of zones and frequency of travel. Creative pricing strategies are possible through the power and flexibility of Cubic’s central system – which is at the heart of this dynamic new smart card project.

Since its introduction, there are now more than 147,000 go cards in circulation, more than $17 million has been loaded onto cards by users and more than five million journeys have been taken on the card.

Cubic also has delivered an internet website so patrons can go online to order cards, check account balances and add value on their smart cards. With Cubic’s autoload software feature, card users are able to top-up or add value to their cards at any fare collection device the next time they ride the transport system.

And if the blog postings are any indication, commuters are adapting quickly. ‘I love it’ of Brisbane sums it up nicely with the posting, “I just carry my go card with me. It’s great. Cheapest public transport ever!!”