What's the real cause of faults in Ez-link system?
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i extracted this article from the straits times forum.
I refer to the press reports about the bugs that plague the Ez-link system resulting in wrong fares for commuters.
The Land Transport Authority's reply is that 'as with all system software, we recognise that there will instances whereby incorrect fares are deducted due to occasional system faults.'
The assertion is that it is acceptable for system software to fail sometimes. I have some difficulty accepting this reasoning.
With seven million Ez-link cards in circulation and four million transactions daily, Ez-link can be compared to a bank computer system like Nets.
Imagine a bank saying to its customers: "You have a million dollars but occasionally you may have nothing in your bank account due to system faults."
Ez-link undoubtedly is a critical system and the right approach for LTA should be one which aims at zero defect.
Let's put it in another way. Instead of wrong fare deductions at the commuter's expense, if the Ez-link system fails to deduct fares, would the LTA say the system is reliable? Would the bus companies take this explanation lying down?
The LTA likes to fall back on its excuse of 'system faults'. The question is, what is the exact nature of such system faults?
I hope the LTA can provide a better picture to the public on how the system actually works.
Just because there are technicalities involved does not mean that the system and its faults cannot be logically explained.
For instance, how does the Ez-link reader on the bus determine the fare stage? If there is global positioning system and RFID involved, how are they used?
How was it possible for a commuter to be charged five times the actual fare?
Commuters deserve a better explanation than just short generalised vague statements from the LTA.
Chia Hern Keng -
Bravo! Good letter.
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Let's put it this way, if the EZlink system is undercharging consumers instead of overcharging. the LTA and SMRT would have been working round the clock to correct the problem. But since they are profiting from the bugs in the system, there is no incentive for them to do anything about it.
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Indeed.
But I must say, the person who thought of this system is a genius. Sure profit from it. Since they know most people won't go to much hassle claiming a few cents, but if all these adds up, it is quite a significant amount.
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The real prob is still with the VLS
This system is quite irritating. If the 2 opp bus stops are too near or if there are 2 similar names on a road (Like that Orchard Blvd), the system cannot read at times -
see the faults favour who 1st, if favour the commuters, confirm the authorities will kpkb........
favours the authorities, they tiam tiam lahz.
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Simple theory mah, you cannot 'eat' them, they can do oppOriginally posted by Mr Fugue:see the faults favour who 1st, if favour the commuters, confirm the authorities will kpkb........
favours the authorities, they tiam tiam lahz. -
a sign of the public growing increasingly dissatisfied with the gahmen and its stat-boards; and becoming more vocal abt it?
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its horrible.
the system overcharges on many occasions but yet nothing is done to make it convenience for people to claim back the money. -
I think we're dealing with a bigger cheater.
I'm certain they know what's the real cause of faults in the system.
I'm also certain they know how much overcharged fares the system has brought in since whenever a passenger complains about being overcharged,
they can trace and refund accurately. That goes to show they could compile
and calculate each passenger's overcharged sums say every 6 months and refund automatically on top-up.
But why no?
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The overchargingOriginally posted by macjoe:I think we're dealing with a bigger cheater.
I'm certain they know what's the real cause of faults in the system.
I'm also certain they know how much overcharged fares the system has brought in since whenever a passenger complains about being overcharged,
they can trace and refund accurately. That goes to show they could compile
and calculate each passenger's overcharged sums say every 6 months and refund automatically on top-up.
But why no?
You forgot to tap, do you know that there is no record on the GTM machine? -
yet they have the cheek to increase fares and whoever even suggested putting cheating commuters in jail.
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Increase fares nothing to do with this seriously, again govt dun wanna reduce cost, instead adding them, like ERPOriginally posted by dragg:yet they have the cheek to increase fares and whoever even suggested putting cheating commuters in jail. -
the procedure for claiming back that few cents is more troublesome than stopping clones in sgforums.Originally posted by dragg:its horrible.
the system overcharges on many occasions but yet nothing is done to make it convenience for people to claim back the money.
then again, a few cents from each commuter, adds up to the TOTAL no. of commuters per day................
Wow~!!! I calculate the authorities can purchase the $688,888 9-eyed dzi in barely 1 month!!
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it is definitely not a few cents.Originally posted by Mr Fugue:the procedure for claiming back that few cents is more troublesome than stopping clones in sgforums.
then again, a few cents from each commuter, adds up to the TOTAL no. of commuters per day................
Wow~!!! I calculate the authorities can purchase the $688,888 9-eyed dzi in barely 1 month!!
one commuter was overcharged many times. -
... and every time they change the system they " earn " millions in unclaim deposits.
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I predict they can now afford the WHOLE range of dzi beads from 1-eyed to 15-eyed.Originally posted by dragg:it is definitely not a few cents.
one commuter was overcharged many times.
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what a ''beautiful'' mistake!!Originally posted by crazy monkey:... and every time they change the system they " earn " millions in unclaim deposits.
who still says mistakes are bad?? -
life is so unfair.Originally posted by Mr Fugue:what a ''beautiful'' mistake!!
who still says mistakes are bad??
many people pay dearly for their mistakes. some can make mistakes but end up better off. -
LL.Originally posted by dragg:life is so unfair.
many people pay dearly for their mistakes. some can make mistakes but end up better off. -
i extracted this from the straits times forum.
Man overcharged four times in 10 bus rides
I REFER to the article, 'Heavier penalties for fare cheats from next year' (ST, Oct 17).
It is clear that the Government is on the side of transport operators as nothing was mentioned of penalties for the operators should they persistently overcharge a commuter.
I have been on the receiving end of regular overcharging on SBS Transit bus No. 147 for at least two years.
I have not claimed a cent as it does not make sense for me to travel one hour and spend $1.20 to claim just 20 cents.
Moreover, I believe that time should be given for the bus operators to fine-tune their fare-charging system.
After more than two years, the problem has still not been fixed and the system is still overcharging me.
Last week I decided to diligently monitor the fare charged for my trip to and from work and I found that out of 10 trips on Bus 147, I was overcharged for four trips, mainly the trip home.
This means that the error rate is 40 per cent, at least in my case. In such an instance, I think the bus operator should be penalised. I fully support Dr Lim Boon Hee's call to the Government to rein in bus firms that overcharge (ST, Oct 19).
I have since accessed SBS Transit's website three times to file my complaints and claims over the overcharging.
Imagine how inconvenient it was for me to remember the bus number, time of boarding and alighting, and description of the bus driver.
In addition, I have to access the website, file my complaints, and provide my particulars and details of the overcharging.
It has been a week since I made my first complaint and claim but I have yet to receive a reply from SBS Transit, not to mention the refund.
Such a lax attitude goes against the Government's campaign to make our country a service-oriented nation.
Tan Boon Huat -
It is all a conspiracy involving MoT, LTA, Ez-Link and bus company officials.
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they just couldnt be bothered.
i am sure the overcharged amount annually is very substantial too. why didnt they publish the figure.
kns. -
What to do. They're all in bed together. We can only pay and suffer.
So who says there is no corruption in Singapore? -
It's like this,they are almost forever perfect in what they do or not do!We can only accept!