Latest news with #PublicTransportAuthority
Sky News AU
a day ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti blames Covid-19, Russian President Vladimir Putin for botched contactless payment upgrades
The West Australian government is under fire after it attributed blame for the botched installation of a contactless payment service for busses on Covid-19 and the invasion of Ukraine. Commuters in Perth were told that by 2019 they would be able to use bank cards to tap on and off of busses in the city. However, six years on, the system is well behind schedule and remains in the development phase. The delay prompted shadow transport minister Steve Martin to submit a question on notice, leading to the extraordinary attempt to shift blame from the state government. In response to Mr Martin's question a private secretary for Transport Minister Rita Saffioti claimed the delay was due to factors outside the government's control. 'The SmartRider Upgrade Project has been impacted by the global pandemic and the war in Ukraine, as well as software development issues,' the reply said. Mr Martin described the excuses as extraordinary. 'Is there anyone in the Cook ministry that is willing to take responsibility for any single delay, problem or budget blowout? With this mob it's always someone else's fault,' he said. 'What's the next excuse? The Minister's handling of the transport portfolio has become a farce.' A spokeswoman for WA's Public Transport Authority acknowledged the program had experienced 'some technical and resource challenges'. Those challenges included 'disrupted access' to a Ukraine-based software partner. 'This has been a complex task involving replacement of existing ticketing infrastructure while minimising impacts on Transperth operators and passengers,' the spokeswoman said. 'There has been significant testing of the new software and hardware to ensure that passengers receive the highest level of service.' WA is not the only state to experience major issues with rolling out a contactless pay system for public transport. An upgrade to the myWay platform is facing scrutiny in the Australian Capital Territory Assembly for a botched rollout which saw commuters unable to use cards, while the cost of upgrading New South Wales' Opal system has reportedly blown out to $738 million - up from $568 million. The Opal upgrade will also have taken five years to complete by the time it comes online in 2027. Similarly, in Victoria, an upgrade to the Myki card system has blown out to $680.3million.
Perth Now
07-07-2025
- Perth Now
‘Hero' saves blind man who fell into path of oncoming train
A legally blind man has been able to track down a hero good Samaritan who saved his life after he fell from a train platform into the path of an oncoming train despite the Public Transport Authority refusing to help. Kevin McMahon, 85, was seconds from death after he accidentally walked off the side of the Beckenham Station platform on June 28, mistaking the train he was seeing as one on the opposite side of the platform. He shattered his heel, tore his rotator cuff and bruised his ribs. A young man who saw him fall, swiftly jumped onto the tracks as the train was approaching and helping him to safety. But by the time authorities arrived, the mystery hero had disappeared on the train he had been waiting for. It prompted Mr McMahon's daughter Kat Black to make a public call for help to find the man, believing her dad would have been hit had he not helped when he did. 'My Dad Kevin is legally blind, but insists on being as independent as possible, catching public transport by himself regularly,' she said. 'He was rushing for a train and didn't realise the train he was seeing was on the opposite platform and he went straight off the edge onto the tracks. 'A young man saw him fall and was helping him get off the tracks when an express train was approaching the platform, risking his own life to save my Dad.' Kevin McMahon was rescued by good Samaritan after falling onto train tracks at Beckenham Station. Credit: Facebook Mr McMahon remembered the kind stranger saying to him 'you are too heavy for me mate' but told his daughter he 'found some superhuman strength' once he saw a train coming towards them. Despite his injuries Ms Black said her Dad is 'doing pretty well'. 'My Dad said he even tried to get on the train with the guy instead of waiting for the ambulance, as though he was absolutely fine to go on with his day — shattered heel and all,' she said. 'The Public Transport Authority said it was a legit near miss, they won't release the CCTV as it could be triggering for people but it was a very close call.' The West Australian also had their request to see the CCTV denied. After posts to Facebook and Reddit, Mr McMahon's family was able to get in contact with the 'modest hero' who saved their Dad's life. 'What an absolute hero for risking his own life to save my Dad,' Ms Black said. 'The family were very happy we found him to thank him, I hope he lets us do something nice for him as a thank you.' PTA transit manager Jeremy Carroll confirmed his team assisted in the reunion of Mr McMahon and 'his hero'. 'I would like to commend the member of the public for his quick thinking and helping the elderly gentleman that fell onto the train tracks,' he said. 'His quick thinking and just being in the right place at the right time has made this positive outcome possible.' Mr Carroll said the organisation would not share the CCTV 'to respect the individuals right to privacy'. 'But we looked at it . . . we managed to identify the member of the public, and then we connected them,' he said. 'They were very, very appreciative and grateful for it, and we are very happy that it's all come to a positive outcome.'
Zawya
27-06-2025
- Zawya
New station opens on Riyadh Metro's Orange Line
RIYADH - The Public Transport Authority in Riyadh announced the operation of a new station on the Riyadh Metro's Orange Line on Thursday. The authority said that the operation of the Hassan bin Thabet Street Station would enhance the public transport network and further facilitate the movement of residents and visitors in the capital. The Orange Line is the third line of the Riyadh Metro that stretches across Riyadh from west to east, running from Jeddah Road to the Second Eastern Ring Road near Khashm Al-Aan, covering a total length of 41 kilometers. It is noteworthy that the Riyadh Metro is a central component of the Saudi capital's urban transport development plan. It spans six main lines and 176 kilometers, connecting neighborhoods across the city through 85 stations, including eight major hubs that interlink the entire network. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Saudi Gazette
26-06-2025
- Saudi Gazette
New station opens on Riyadh Metro's Orange Line
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Public Transport Authority in Riyadh announced the operation of a new station on the Riyadh Metro's Orange Line on Thursday. The authority said that the operation of the Hassan bin Thabet Street Station would enhance the public transport network and further facilitate the movement of residents and visitors in the capital. The Orange Line is the third line of the Riyadh Metro that stretches across Riyadh from west to east, running from Jeddah Road to the Second Eastern Ring Road near Khashm Al-Aan, covering a total length of 41 kilometers. It is noteworthy that the Riyadh Metro is a central component of the Saudi capital's urban transport development plan. It spans six main lines and 176 kilometers, connecting neighborhoods across the city through 85 stations, including eight major hubs that interlink the entire network.
Arab News
19-06-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi transport chief elected MENA president of global body
RIYADH: The acting president of Saudi Arabia's Public Transport Authority has been elected president of the International Association of Public Transport for the MENA region. Rumaih bin Mohammed Al-Rumaih was selected in a vote during the association's summit in Hamburg, Germany, this week. He will occupy the role until 2028. Al-Rumaih was selected for his expertise in developing modern transport systems, leading national projects and representing Saudi Arabia in international forums, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Having previously served as CEO of the Saudi Railway Company and president of the Transport General Authority, Al-Rumaih has a track record of working to improve the sustainability and quality of transport in urban settings. 'I am delighted to be with you today, and to start this new phase of work with a distinguished team that brings together a number of leaders and professionals,' he said during the conference. 'I believe that public transport is not just about infrastructure, but about experience, justice, accessibility, and sustainability. Al-Rumaih highlighted the success of the Riyadh Metro system, which became fully operational earlier this year. He said that the metro is witnessing high rates of usage and is changing commuter behavior in the capital. 'When we provide appropriate transportation services that are clean, safe, accessible, and reliable, people respond to and adapt to them,' he said. Al-Rumaih also spoke about how building sustainable and people-centered transport systems requires collaboration between governments, operators, the private sector, and civil society. 'The International Association of Public Transport has always been a driver of this collaboration and will grow in importance in the years to come.' Al-Rumaih also highlighted the findings of the MENA Transport Report 2025, which assessed trends in the industry in 40 cities across 14 countries in the region.
