Page 4388 - Week 14 - Wednesday, 30 November 1994
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MOTOR OMNIBUS SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994
Debate resumed from 10 November 1994, on motion by Mr Lamont:
That this Bill be agreed to in principle.
MR DE DOMENICO (4.49): The Opposition will not be opposing this Bill. The Bill takes account of new processing of bus fares through electronic ticketing validators and introduces on-the-spot fines or infringement notices instead of prosecution for minor offences. Basically, those two things make a lot of sense and, therefore, the Opposition will not be opposing the Bill. It is good legislation that introduces infringement notices for offences on buses, instead of having to go direct to prosecution through the courts.
Initially, the Opposition had some concerns about the powers being given to bus drivers, inspectors and authorised persons, the fines being charged in comparison with other States, the issue of being able to purchase tickets on behalf of another person and the illegality that was brought up by the Legal Affairs Committee - I think Mr Lamont will talk on that issue when he responds - and the leniency for concession card holders in the payment of fines. The Opposition will be introducing an amendment to make sure that all concession card holders, including people with certain disabilities, are included in that provision. The Opposition has also had a chance to have a look at the Government's amendments. We will be supporting the Government's amendments because they tidy up the Bill as it presently stands. I think I will reserve my comments on amendments until later on. In essence, the Opposition will be supporting the Bill.
MS SZUTY (4.51): I wish to address this Bill very briefly. I appreciate the opportunity I had to talk to officers of ACTION about the introduction of the automated ticketing system. I did say to them that I would raise a number of issues in relation to the introduction of the system when I spoke to the Bill at the in-principle stage of the debate. Madam Speaker, I think it is important to note that we are looking at quite profound changes in the way that people use the bus service in the ACT. I asked whether electronic ticketing systems were in place in other parts of Australia, and the answer to that was yes. I further asked whether these systems have ever been evaluated to see whether people who catch buses are happy with them, and the answer was no. I think that is rather curious. These systems in place in other parts of Australia have not been fully evaluated. That is something that the Minister may want to consider further down the track, in making sure that people who take buses in the ACT are informed of the changes at various stages of the process.
I note that stage one of the introduction of the automated ticketing system will commence on 5 December this year. That will be for people who pay cash fares. The second stage of the process will commence in April of next year, when other passengers will come under the new arrangements. It may take commuters some time to get used to the new arrangements. I have been informed that on some occasions it will be slower for people to board buses and to disembark from buses, and it may cause some frustration
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