MyZone

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search

Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

Generic MyZone ticket

MyZone is the public transport fare structure that applies for users of the magnetic-stripe ticketing system in metropolitan New South Wales, Australia. Myzone was a rebranding of the then existing NSW Government ticking system which included TravelPass, DayTripper, TravelTen, and FerryTen ticket names, which had started in 1984. TravelPass, TravelTen (prev. MetroTen), as well as pensioner excursion, single and return tickets had been progressively transitioned to magnetic-stripe tickets, after the official 10th July 1989 mk2 magnetic-stripe ticketing launch on the (then)Urban Transit Authority's ferry system. Unlike the introduction of the Opal card, the previous change in ticketing technology to magnetic-stripe had been carried out without any significant changes or restructuring of the pre-existing ticketing options, other than introducing 10-trip discounted tickets to ferry services.

Introduced in April 2010, MyZone somewhat standardised fare product names and ticket designs across trains, buses and ferries; and brought privately-operated buses into the same fare structure as those operated by the State Transit Authority. For many passengers, particularly those travelling longer distances, the reduction in the number of fare bands meant substantial price cuts for public transport. However, critics noted that MyZone represented little more than a redesign of tickets for the existing TravelPass fare collection system, and pointed to the Labor government's failure to implement Tcard, a smart card system abandoned following trials in 2007. MyZone was substantially replaced by the Opal card in 2014. Most MyZone magnetic-stripe tickets are no longer available for purchase after 1 January 2016.[1] However all existing magnetic-stripe tickets with validity continue to operate with the existing equipment. As at January 2016, single and return magnetic-stripe tickets remain available for purchase and use.

History

Introduced in April 2010,[2] MyZone was designed to simplify the city's complex fare system, reducing the 20 train fare zones to five, the five bus zones to three, and the five ferry zones to two, thus removing one of the stumbling blocks to the integration of ticketing and the introduction of a smart card.[3] The changes were welcomed by Infrastructure Partnerships Australia, but criticised by the independent pricing regulator IPART, which was not consulted [4] and by the Independent Public Inquiry into a Long-Term Public Transport Plan for Sydney.[5] while the lobby group Action for Public Transport welcomed the changes with some reservations [6]

Then Shadow Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian criticised the MyZone system, claiming the government merely replaced one clumsy system for another. She urged the replacement of the paper-based ticking system with an electronic one.[7]

From June 2011 the MyZone system was extended to the then privately owned light rail system. All MyMulti tickets and the non-MyZone Pensioner Excursion Ticket and Family Funday Sunday are recognised on the light rail.[8] The light rail still offers its own tickets, including periodicals.[9]

From 1 September 2013 changes were made to MyMulti eligibility on ferries, with usage restrictions replacing unrestricted travel. MyMulti 1 tickets are no longer valid and the MyMulti 2 can only be used for journeys up to 9km. The MyMulti 3 still offers unrestricted travel.[10][11]

Ticket types

MyMulti 3 weekly ticket

MyZone consisted of four main ticket types: MyTrain, MyBus, MyFerry and MyMulti – a multi-modal ticket.

Existing single, return, weekly and other periodical ticket products were rebranded as "MyTrain", and the number of fare bands was reduced from 20 to five. Train fares continued to be distance-based; periodical ticket discounts remained unchanged. Existing bus TravelTen tickets were rebranded as "MyBus TravelTen", and the number of section bands was reduced to three. The tickets became valid for travel on privately-operated buses for the first time. Bus fares continued to be based on sections. Existing ferry FerryTen tickets were rebranded as "MyFerry TravelTen".

Existing multi-modal tickets TravelPass, DayTripper and BusPlus were replaced with a series of periodical train, bus and ferry tickets called MyMulti. A MyMulti ticket offered unlimited bus and ferry travel and train travel within a given zone. Zone MyMulti1 covered inner city trains, MyMulti2 covered most of the suburban Sydney train network and MyMulti3 covered all suburban, intercity and regional trains of the CityRail network.

The introduction of MyZone did not alter the existing TravelPass, TimeTen or timed ticket products used in Newcastle.

Later amendments

The O'Farrell Government, elected on a platform of introducing a smartcard-based ticketing system, made changes to MyZone ahead of the introduction of the Opal card. MyMulti became valid for travel on light rail, and MyMulti1 was no longer valid for ferry travel.

Technical

Like the previous ticketing system, MyZone uses an automated fare collection system on trains, government buses and ferries. Private bus services and the light rail require manual checking or validation of the ticket by the driver or conductor.

Replacement

The Opal card is replacing most paper tickets. The pre-existing tickets are being retired in stages:

  • From 1 June 2014, Pensioner Excursion Tickets, MyMulti Daypass and Family Funday Sunday tickets are no longer available for purchase onboard all State Transit buses, and must be pre-purchased before boarding.[12]
  • 14 tickets (mostly periodicals) were retired on 1 September 2014.[13]
  • 11 Newcastle-specific tickets were retired on 20 November 2014.[14]
  • On 1 January 2016 all other paper tickets were withdrawn except single and return tickets for trains, ferries and light rail and single bus tickets, (both adult and concession).[15][16][17]

Gallery

Bus ticket
Light rail ticket
Tickets issued to passengers using privately operated Transdev NSW and Transdev Sydney services upon presentation of a MyMulti ticket

  • MyMulti Daypass concession ticket

  • MyBus 1 TravelTen ticket

  • MyBus 2 TravelTen concession ticket

  • Design on the back of MyTrain ticket

  • Prepaid Pensioner Excursion Ticket

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ MyZone website, accessed 2 February 2010.
  3. ↑ Inner-city commuters hit by hefty fare shake-up Sydney Morning Herald 2 February 2010
  4. ↑ New public transport fares 'overpriced' The Daily Telegraph 4 February 2010
  5. ↑ Final Report pages 262-263
  6. ↑ NEWS RELEASE: MyZone Tickets Welcomed by Transit Users Action for Public Transport 2 February 2010.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Media release – Pensioners, families big winners in light rail ticket changes. Minister for Transport – Gladys Berejiklian 14 June 2011
  9. ↑ Sydney By Light Rail
  10. ↑ MyMulti changes NSW Transport Info 24 May 2013
  11. ↑ MyMulti Travel Map Effective from 1 September 2013 NSW Transport Info 24 May 2013
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Opal card pop-up kiosks now located at 28 major Sydney stations Transport for NSW 28 July 2014
  14. ↑ 11 paper tickets no longer sold in Newcastle from 20 November Transport Info 3 November 2014
  15. ↑ Time to tap into Opal - majority of paper tickets to be phased out Transport for NSW 4 August 2015
  16. ↑ Most paper tickets no longer sold from 1 January 2016 Transport NSW Info 4 August 2015
  17. ↑ From 1 January 2016 no longer sold Opal Card Retrieved 4 August 2015.
Retrieved from "https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=MyZone&oldid=4018544"