Response to integrated ticketing announcement

11 April 2010

The Sydney Business Chamber said the selection of the Pearl Consortium as the successful contractor for Sydney’s integrated electronic ticketing system was a step in the right direction for a project that was now more than a decade overdue.

“The Government has learnt the lessons of the failed T-card system which was crippled by Sydney’s complex transport fare structure and implemented the MyZone system that should make introducing an integrated electronic ticketing system must simpler,” said Patricia Forsythe, Executive Director of the Sydney Business Chamber.

“Integrated electronic ticketing is long overdue.  We cannot afford to make the same mistakes that led to the cancellation of the T-card.  All the Government’s transport agencies should work constructively and transparently with the new contractor to deliver this essential project.”

“An integrated electronic ticketing system was suppose to be delivered in time for the Sydney Olympics, yet a decade later, and a failed attempt with T-card has left Sydney commuters still waiting for what several other Australian cities already have,”

Mrs Forsythe said that the selection of the Pearl Consortium was a good decision by the NSW Government given the Consortium’s previous experience and expertise in implementing London’s public transport “Oyster card.”

“We cannot drag our feet on this project any longer.  It needs to be full steam ahead until Sydneysiders are armed with a smartcard and are accessing a smarter transport system.

Mrs Forsythe said that an integrated electronic ticketing system was a key priority of Sydney Business Chamber and NSW Business Chamber’s 10 Big Ideas to Grow NSW which called for a Transport Tsar to take charge of Sydney’s transport network and implement an integrated ticketing system by 2012.

“This is an important transport project for Sydney.  Being able to access public transport quickly and easily by swiping a card is fundamental to making our public transport network attractive to commuters.

“We want to see the Government implement our idea of appointing a Transport Tsar to ensure that any obstacles are quickly removed and that this overdue project is delivered as soon as possible.”