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Prepare for smart cards
- Details
- 07 September 2012
Station staff are being trained in the new Automatic Fare Collection system that will make life easier and more efficient for commuters.
For the training, which started on 4 September, station ambassadors and cashiers took time off their duties to learn about the technical and theoretical operation of the new computer system. They also learned how to manage customer queries effectively during the transition period.
More staffers will undergo the training, which will run until 13 September.
During the session, staff interacted with experts and Rea Vaya senior staff. They included the senior marketing and liaison officer, Nomalizo Xabana; the operations manager, CBD, Steven Chauke; and Thendo Ratshitanga, a project manager from Grounded Media, who facilitated the presentation.
Staffers constantly asked questions to find out if their computer system would make their work more efficient. One of the advantages that impressed cashiers was that they would no longer have to complete reports at the end of every shift anymore. The computer would print the report automatically when the cashier completed his or her work.
They were also excited when Ratshitanga assured them that the smart card would alleviate long queues. “Yes, in the first days we might experience long queues as the commuters will still be buying the tickets, but in a long run we are sure to have fewer people,” said Ratshitanga.
Among station staff members who were pleased to learn about the new computer system was Kenneth Mudau, a station ambassador. “We do not have to deal with long queues anymore. Especially at my section, where we are currently sitting with long queues, [it is] sometimes a burden to our cashiers. I am looking forward to it.”
No mistakes
Xabana advised cashiers and station ambassadors to spread the news by word of mouth, and should tell commuters to get their smart cards early in the run up to the officials start date of smart cards.
The cards will be issued for free of charge for the first three months. “Remember, you are our representatives at the station. You have to develop some sort of sales and marketing skills through this whole period.”
The closing date for free giveaway cards is 28 February; thereafter, the cards will be sold for R20 each. Commuters are urged to bring along their identify documents for registration. Children who do not yet qualify for ID books must bring along a birth certificate and must be accompanied by an adult.
The AFC system will be officially launched on 12 November, but will go live on 26 November. However the last day for paper ticket sales will be 31 January. Xabana this was to allow commuters to adapt to the changes.
Customer care centres will be up and running on 19 November. So far, customer services have been announced for five stations, including Carlton Centre, Joburg Art Gallery, Mavumbi, and Orlando Police Station.
But commuters are urged to register early for smart cards to avoid the last minute rush; pre-registration through SMS and the internet will open on 22 October. It will open at selected stations on 12 November.
User friendly
The computer system is designed to be user friendly. The computers have touch screen features and respond quickly to transactions.
The system is tried and tested. It is used in countries like Denmark, and it has been a runaway success, according to Yolanda Soden, the technical trainer at Traffic Management Technologies.
Unlike the paper tickets now in use, commuters will not have to buy tickets daily. They will simply need a card, on which they can load money in their own time.
All Rea Vaya station will be fitted with card reader machines. Commuters will have to tap in on to the reader to open the gate into the stations, and they will only be billed when they tap out at their destination.
This will eliminate the current single trip paper ticket system, which is based on three flat fares for feeder and trunk routes. With a smart card, commuters will pay only for the distance travelled.
But the usefulness of the smart card does not end on the bus and at stations; customers will be able to buy groceries for up to R200 in selected stores where there is a master card sign displayed.
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