COVID-19 response

[Off The Rails]

No, the Palmyra buses won't be using the QR codes, as there is a very high chance the same bus won't be used on CAT duties. Plus, since they do normal running before CAT trips (such as a 111 to the city), having QR codes up will confuse passengers.

Cheers!

[Bus-1809]

Are you driving one of those open-top Ankai deckers?

Nope... Only a handful of people on here know where to find me and I'd ideally like it kept that way. The Rogue Gunzel so to speak

[Bus-1809]

No, the Palmyra buses won't be using the QR codes, as there is a very high chance the same bus won't be used on CAT duties. Plus, since they do normal running before CAT trips (such as a 111 to the city), having QR codes up will confuse passengers.

Cheers!

Remember CATS services are logged on the ETIM now, so people can tag on on the Double Bank CATS

[Zidanehartono]

1466, which does the Midland Gate Shuttle, even has the SafeWA QR code.

[Enviro 500]

It seems a Covid positive individual possibly linked to the Mess Hall function travelled on the train from Burswood to McIver as well as the 990 from Scarborough to Perth and back over several days. Some pax on the 990, especially those who travelled on 23-12, have been told to get tested and stay in isolation pending results.

https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Article ... rmed-cases

[Zidanehartono]

Latest Mesures a/o February 2022

Under the latest public health measures in effect, until further notice masks are mandatory on all Transperth services, unless you have an exemption. For more information on the latest measures visit wa.gov.au.

If you refuse to wear a mask that you have or when you are given one, you may be denied travel. If you are exempt from wearing a mask we ask that for your safety, and that of fellow passengers, you physically distance where possible on board our services. Primary school students (or younger) are exempt from mandatory mask wearing rules, however they can choose to wear a mask if they wish to.

When travelling with us there are a few things that we ask you do:

• Wear a mask onboard all services unless you have an exemption. Mask wearing at bus stops, stations and ferry jetties is encouraged

• If you are exempt from wearing a mask, please ensure you're travelling with relevant exemption documents as we may ask to see them, and can refuse you travel if you aren't carrying them with you

• Physically distance, where possible

• Use a SmartRider when you are travelling. Please make sure it is registered and keep your registration up to date. You can do this here: Registering your SmartRider card (transperth.wa.gov.au)

• When using the Free Transit Zone (FTZ) please use a SmartRider and tag on and off each service. You will not be charged a fare if your journey starts and finishes within the FTZ

• When travelling on CAT buses, please use the ServiceWA app and scan the QR code on board each bus. As the code is unique to each CAT bus, you will need to do this on every CAT service you travel on.

• Details on the ServiceWA app can be found here: ServiceWA app: Support (www.wa.gov.au)

For the safety of our bus drivers we will be taping off the two seats immediately behind the driver and ask:

• You limit your contact with the bus driver.

• Pay with a SmartRider.

• Exit via the rear doors if it is safe for you to do so, or you require the front doors for low floor access.

[Enviro 500]

So no more cash fares?

[Merc1107]

It says "LIMIT contact with the driver", which I would take to mean the option will remain.

[tonyp]

I can see that hell will freeze over before they let people board by the rear doors on revenue services as they've done as part of the covid measures in some other Australian jurisdictions (some of whom have since made that permanent). PTA clings onto those cash fares/driver revenue supervision no matter the circumstances, when I think by now practically every other city has gone cashless. It seems like they don't want to upset a die-hard minority of passengers when experience elsewhere shows that the public has made the change without complaint. Odd for such an otherwise sophisticated transport administration.

[Merc1107]

For clarification, I think in many of the operations in the regional Queensland Cities, it's still a cash-heavy operation, as it is in Darwin. Last I checked, this hasn't caused the end of the world - which is consistent with the health advice that tells us cash isn't the issue with a predominantly airborne virus.

In terms of advancement, though, perhaps it is time to move on. Unfortunately SmartRider vendors in Perth are few and far between, and as yet, debit/credit card payments are not possible onboard buses (so much for the new ticketing promised for the end of 2018!). So the need for cash remains until that is rectified.

However, in spite of the "driver enforcement" of revenue... It's rarely, if ever, formally policed on the bus network. Sure, the contractors are meant to check x percent of trips, but they harass peak hour commuters, not the freeloading bludgers in the areas with a high proportion of cash fares.
Sometimes the PTA's revenue protection agents will do a sting - their tactic being to do an all-day stakeout at Freo Hospital, as opposed to a mobile operation, for example.

At the end of the day, the PTA should have appropriately trained staff, with the necessary level of power to issue infringements, and eject those passengers from the service. The fines should also be scaled depending on any past history of transit-offences, too. It should not be left to a driver, who is left without adequate support to properly deal with these matters - that includes their management, and as few as two security teams in some of the geographically-large contracts.

[Enviro 500]

In terms of advancement, though, perhaps it is time to move on. Unfortunately SmartRider vendors in Perth are few and far between, and as yet, debit/credit card payments are not possible onboard buses (so much for the new ticketing promised for the end of 2018!). So the need for cash remains until that is rectified.

Just adopt SimplyGo technology that is used in Singapore. It would negate the need for drivers to give out change. Those who currently don't own a SmartRider are the biggest beneficiaries of SimplyGo as they only need to register a debit card for transport fares.

[bussie]

In terms of advancement, though, perhaps it is time to move on. Unfortunately SmartRider vendors in Perth are few and far between, and as yet, debit/credit card payments are not possible onboard buses (so much for the new ticketing promised for the end of 2018!). So the need for cash remains until that is rectified.

Just adopt SimplyGo technology that is used in Singapore. It would negate the need for drivers to give out change. Those who currently don't own a SmartRider are the biggest beneficiaries of SimplyGo as they only need to register a debit card for transport fares.

Isn't it just the same as any contactless payment these days that accept credit/debit cards like Opal and Oyster?

[sylar]

The cash fare restrictions are back in force

[Bus Suggestions]

Don't think it was noted here, but the first row of seats are back to being blocked off.

[Merc1107]

Jeepers. A complete overreaction. Other cities, such as Darwin, have not had their front seats taped off since mid last year. Nor have they had any cashless nonsense either - by nonsense I mean it contrary to practically all the health advice on the planet that says COVID is AIRBORNE, not generally surface transmitted.

I understand the cashless push has, once again, originated with a "group" well-known for frequently barking up the wrong tree when it comes to the issues facing the workforce.

[Enviro 500]

Jeepers. A complete overreaction. Other cities, such as Darwin, have not had their front seats taped off since mid last year. Nor have they had any cashless nonsense either - by nonsense I mean it contrary to practically all the health advice on the planet that says COVID is AIRBORNE, not generally surface transmitted.

I understand the cashless push has, once again, originated with a "group" well-known for frequently barking up the wrong tree when it comes to the issues facing the workforce.

Thing is, in some cities, bus drivers stopped handing out change ever since the abolition of conductors. For some places, it has been like that for the last 35-40 years.

[BroadGauge]

Jeepers. A complete overreaction. Other cities, such as Darwin, have not had their front seats taped off since mid last year. Nor have they had any cashless nonsense either - by nonsense I mean it contrary to practically all the health advice on the planet that says COVID is AIRBORNE, not generally surface transmitted.

You've got a bit of catching up to do with Darwin. No more mandatory face masks on buses there either, as of next Monday.

[Merc1107]

No catching up necessary, as a matter of fact. It's hard not to notice what each jurisdiction is doing with COVID given all the media hype that typically surrounds policy shifts.

[hack404]

Looks like covid disruption from Tuesday.

https://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/Servic ... ls/13357-1

[TP1462]

Looks like covid disruption from Tuesday.

https://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/Servic ... ls/13357-1

Hopefully someone here would be able to help clarify but surely wouldn’t the other depots or operators be able to help with the shortage like if swan Joondalup has spare drivers shouldn’t they be able to assist Morley because that’s at least 2 weeks worth of disruptions


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[Enviro 500]

Looks like covid disruption from Tuesday.

https://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/Servic ... ls/13357-1

Hopefully someone here would be able to help clarify but surely wouldn’t the other depots or operators be able to help with the shortage like if swan Joondalup has spare drivers shouldn’t they be able to assist Morley because that’s at least 2 weeks worth of disruptions


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Midvale can also help out if there are spare personnel based there.

[Off The Rails]

Good idea in theory, but it would mean sending drivers out into areas they don't know, which could lead into more problems (like drivers taking wrong turns and getting their bus stuck).

Cheers!

[TP1462]

Good idea in theory, but it would mean sending drivers out into areas they don't know, which could lead into more problems (like drivers taking wrong turns and getting their bus stuck).

Cheers!

Valid point but running buses at a reduced frequency for at least a week or two isn’t ideal and as Covid starts to become more widespread in the community obviously more drivers will test positive so perhaps a driver or bus sharing system should be at least considered if for instance Joondalup or Midvale per say have a bunch of casuals who maybe able to provide assistance to cover the shortfall would be better than running at a reduced frequency it’ll just result in more people driving or switching to Uber or taxis if their service becomes less reliable as they haven’t started which services will and won’t be running. Also it won’t be long until railcar drivers start to test positive so that also raises the question about how long until the train services are disrupted by a driver shortage. Most drivers at the swan depots would know most of the routes as they’re on shared road corridors or could have worked out of Malaga pre 2010 or switched operators at some point


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[Enviro 500]

Good idea in theory, but it would mean sending drivers out into areas they don't know, which could lead into more problems (like drivers taking wrong turns and getting their bus stuck).

Cheers!

Valid point but running buses at a reduced frequency for at least a week or two isn’t ideal and as Covid starts to become more widespread in the community obviously more drivers will test positive so perhaps a driver or bus sharing system should be at least considered if for instance Joondalup or Midvale per say have a bunch of casuals who maybe able to provide assistance to cover the shortfall would be better than running at a reduced frequency it’ll just result in more people driving or switching to Uber or taxis if their service becomes less reliable as they haven’t started which services will and won’t be running. Also it won’t be long until railcar drivers start to test positive so that also raises the question about how long until the train services are disrupted by a driver shortage. Most drivers at the swan depots would know most of the routes as they’re on shared road corridors or could have worked out of Malaga pre 2010 or switched operators at some point


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Karrinyup and Wangara used to be Path Transit's depots in the past. Those who have been around long enough may have covered Morley routes under global running.

[TP1462]

Valid point but running buses at a reduced frequency for at least a week or two isn’t ideal and as Covid starts to become more widespread in the community obviously more drivers will test positive so perhaps a driver or bus sharing system should be at least considered if for instance Joondalup or Midvale per say have a bunch of casuals who maybe able to provide assistance to cover the shortfall would be better than running at a reduced frequency it’ll just result in more people driving or switching to Uber or taxis if their service becomes less reliable as they haven’t started which services will and won’t be running. Also it won’t be long until railcar drivers start to test positive so that also raises the question about how long until the train services are disrupted by a driver shortage. Most drivers at the swan depots would know most of the routes as they’re on shared road corridors or could have worked out of Malaga pre 2010 or switched operators at some point


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Karrinyup and Wangara used to be Path Transit's depots in the past. Those who have been around long enough may have covered Morley routes under global running.

Yes this would obviously apply for other contract areas as well so if Beckenham or Canningvale had drivers fall ill to Covid Welshpool or Kalamunda or vice versa should be able to cover. A better system should be adopted because running an inconsistent bus service will result in more people driving or switching to Uber or taxis. Most if not all routes also have signs which tell you where to go and if they really needed to a dash mounted GPS system would suffice. So what happens when 30 drivers fall ill? 50? 100?


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