Further myki (anti)developments

http://www.theage.com.au/national/caution-urged-for-travellers-who-take-the-myki-on-trams-20100128-n1pp.html
Caution urged for travellers who take the myki on trams

The headline is telling, isn't it? Take caution if you're using myki on a tram. Take caution... for using the new ticketing system like you're supposed to. It's never fun to be right in the face of futility, but already, myki is deliciously ludicrous. If a system isn't ready to be in use yet, then perhaps there shouldn't be big, bold signs around stations declaring 'myki is here', right next to the large machines to sell these things that you shouldn't even be using?

The article contains...

Myki equipment is operational on trams, with more than 1000 people officially testing the system. The Government is now aware, through social media sites, that some commuters are using myki on trams.

Ticket inspectors have been issued with myki card readers and it is understood people caught using myki on trams will be advised not to.

People are... getting caught using myki. It's like it's a crime, for goodness sake! So is the government telling us not to use myki, or telling us to buy myki for our train trips, and then buy an additional Metcard for tram use?!

The fact that some commuters were using myki cards on trams ''shows a lot of people do want to be able to use the one ticket on trains, trams and buses,'' Mr Bowen said.

...As opposed to wanting to pay for two separate tickets. Pardon the crassness, but no shit, Sherlock.

New Public Transport Minister Martin Pakula has said he expects myki to be up and running on trams and buses by the end of the year. Transport Ticketing Authority spokeswoman Jean Ker Walsh said myki was not valid for use on trams.

So if you want to actually use myki in an efficient way, you'll have to wait yet another year. Such a shame for the poor folks who have already gotten one, isn't it? First they force this system down our throat, then they swiftly yank it from our gullet, leaving us choking on worthless money we've already invested into it.

And finally, this tidbit here is something I particularly like -

Meanwhile, documents released to the State Opposition under freedom of information laws show that the Government paid $1.2 million to change the screens of myki validators from black and white to colour.

..."The change was made to myki readers to help people who have a vision impairment see the on-screen information,'' [Ker Walsh] said.

Implication that the vision impaired need to see how myki tells them to swipe their card. Implication that it's important that people are given false information, since we are now being instructed not to swipe our card on trams. This isn't just hilariously inept, but dangerously inept, particularly for someone who uses as much public transport as myself.

Although I did foresee myki's introduction being a bumpy, sloppy ride, I didn't foresee the government having the gall to declare its use as the mistake of the public. That right there, is so rich, it's downright creamy.