They use the same idea in Singapore for the tollways and the MRT (mass
rapid transit). On the tollways the card sits in the reader stuck to your
windscreen and debits the card as it passes under the gantry.
-- Howard. LANNet Computing Associates Contact detail at http://www.lannetlinux.comOn Mon, 13 Aug 2001 jeff.evans@dsd.vic.gov.au wrote:
> > A lecturer at Monash Uni last semester told me of the "Octopus" card used > very extensively in Hong Kong with _millions_ of transactions conducted per > day. Apparently people walk through turnstiles & wave their bag (with the > card inside) to pass through & be debited. It has a reducing cash value > (same as our phone cards), and also more permanent rechargable versions. > Some even key it to their apartment door (sounds dodgy...) > > Here's the Bus company's description: > <http://www.citybus.com.hk/english/octopus.htm> > > Here's a tourist account of using it: > http://intel.si.umich.edu/hardin/susan/transportation/octopus.html > > "We used these cards for just about every form of transportation, except > taxis, and didn't have to worry about having the correct change for the > various fares. Each time we swiped the card across a reader, the fare was > deducted from the card. The readouts warned us when our cards were near $0 > and when necessary, we added value to our cards at the Add Value machines > located in the train stations. These machines are like cash machines, only > you put in the cash, and that amount is added to the value of your card. " > > >From http://www.newsbytes.com/news/00/158555.html > > "Almost 85 percent of persons aged over 15 had used electronic business > services of one form or another - e.g. Hong Kong's Octopus multi-purpose > smart card, ATM, e-cash, phone banking, or online searching for financial > information, goods and services, and job vacancies. " > > I'm not sure of the NSW proposal & how it compares to the Octopus card > system, but I reckon xx million Chinese punters may demonstrate a system's > credibility & security... I wish we'd looked at existing successes when > Jeff Kennett's government managed to choos a very flawed card system for > Melbourne's public transport... > > Cheers > > Jeff > > > > > Eric Scheid <eric.scheid@ironclad.net.au>@www.anu.edu.au on 13/08/2001 > 01:49:39 AM > > Sent by: owner-link@www.anu.edu.au > > > To: "Link List" <link@www.anu.edu.au> > cc: > Fax to: > Subject: [LINK] A card that may change all our lives > > > Did we all read in the weekend papers about Carr's wonderful new > electronic payment card he's got plans for? > > >A card that may change all our lives > >EXCLUSIVE By chief writer NATHAN VASS > >12aug01 > >A REVOLUTIONARY commuter "smartcard" with the potential to create a > >cashless society in Sydney will be introduced by the State Government. > > <http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,2566711%255 > E701,00.html> > > >This means one card will pay for bus, train and ferry trips, highway > >tolls, groceries, retail goods, online shopping, phone and utility bills, > >movie and concert tickets, traffic fines and professional services. > > all sounding fine, except maybe the penultimate item listed... which > raises a red flag when I then read: > > >"The smartcard will not need to be removed from a wallet or bag, it only > >needs to pass the validator, which will signal acceptance of the fare > > and also > > >They can be linked to a bank account so the card automatically "tops up" > >without the user ever having to go to a bank. The card could also become a > >driver's licence and Medicare card. > > I wonder if the identification details will be automatically released and > handed over by the ticket scanners? I can't wait for the targeted > advertising in my mail box. > > Panic starts to then set in when a few pages further into the paper I > find > > >Revealed: Sydney's greediest speed cameras > <http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,2566643%255 > E3163,00.html> > > I imagine a dark future where a ticket inspector will walk up and down > the train, and by virtue of being in scanning range automatically issue > fines for not having a valid ticket. A quick stroll, without the > inconvenience of actually stopping and investigating, and the gummint > raises more revenue. > > e. > > ______________________________________________________________________ > eric@ironclad.net.au i r o n c l a d n e t w o r k s > information architect http://www.ironclad.net.au/ > > > > >
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