New Budget Estimates and ‘Program Reset’ in Victoria State Confirm Cost Overruns and Substantial Delays in Melbourne Project
Victoria state officials in Melbourne today released new budget figures that appear to show just how far behind schedule and over budget the state’s large fare-system project is today.
The budget papers (download page with project entry below), describe a “program reset,” with the “total estimated investment” needed to complete the project increasing by 25%
Victoria Transport Minister Announces Plans for Launch of Open-Loop Payments Next Year, but Government is Light on Specifics
he Victoria state government in Australia has announced plans to launch open-loop payments by early next year, though has released few specifics, which has raised some skepticism among observers.
Gabrielle Williams, Victoria state minister for public and active transport, reportedly said Friday that thousands of new card readers (and validators) will be installed on train networks in “coming months” that would enable riders to accept credit and debit cards and open-loop credentials in digital wallets.
Conduent Says Its Melbourne Fare Project is ‘Progressing Well’; That’s Not Exactly the Consensus Opinion in Victoria
The planned fare system in Melbourne and Victoria state in Australia is believed to be at least two years behind schedule, a key subcontractor has left the job and Victoria state politicians are sweating their chances in the next election if the project becomes a campaign issue, according to sources.
But you wouldn’t know there were any current problems with the project after listening yesterday to top executives with Conduent, the prime contractor on the 15-year, AU$1.7 billion (US$1.1 billion) deal. The executives spoke during a conference call with analysts after release of the company’s fourth quarter and year-end results.
Another Report Surfaces of Problems for Conduent Project in Melbourne
A local report that hit over the weekend is pointing to more problems for Melbourne’s AU$1.7 billion (US$1.1 billion) fare-system overhaul, with a key subcontractor reported to have walked away from the project.
There has also been a separate rumor that Australia’s Victoria state government last month agreed to an
Report: Conduent and State Transport Officials in Melbourne at ‘Loggerheads’ Over Contract, but State Denies Problems
Transport officials in the Australian state of Victoria continue to deny there are any problems with the implementation of a new ticketing system by U.S.-based supplier Conduent Transportation, despite new local reports of discord between the vendor and government over the project budget and timelines.
The Victoria Department of Transport and Planning in Melbourne, in a statement pushed back
Melbourne Project Believed to be Behind Schedule; Officials Keep Mum about Any Problems
State transport officials in Melbourne are not voicing any concerns publicly, but behind the scenes, they are believed to be growing increasingly impatient with the apparent slow progress their main vendor, Conduent Transportation, is making on implementing a new ticketing system for Australia’s No. 2 city, sources told Mobility Payments.
Officials announced the award of a 15-year-AU$1.7 billion (US$1.1 billion) contract to Conduent in May 2023.
NTT Data Complaint Letter in Melbourne: ‘Never Observed a Process Like the One Conducted’
NTT Data contends that its ousting as operator of the large fare system in Melbourne, Australia, and the surrounding state of Victoria will “cost Victorians for many years to come.”
That’s according to a letter–notable for its highly critical tone–sent by the Japan-based IT provider to a top Victoria state transport official last June. It followed a decision by the state to choose U.S.-based Conduent to take over the myki transit fare system.
Text of Letter to Top Official in Melbourne Details Cubic Attack on Conduent’s Credentials
Top Cubic executives accused government procurement officials in Melbourne of failing to independently verify rival Conduent's credentials, contending that this was a key reason Cubic lost a 15-year, AU$1.7 billion (US$1.1 billion) fare-system contract to its rival.
Second Bidder Questions Procurement Practices behind Melbourne’s 15-Year Fare-System Contract Award
A second unsuccessful bidder for Melbourne’s large 15-year AU$1.7 billion (US$1.1 billion) fare-system contract is reportedly raising questions about the procurement process, contending that its bid came in well under that of the winning supplier, among other concerns.
Top Cubic Executives Complain of ‘Serious Concerns’ about Tender Process in Selection of Rival Conduent in Australia: Reports
U.S.-based Cubic Corp. sent a letter of complaint to the premier of the Australian state of Victoria in Melbourne, contending that a flawed procurement process led to the selection of rival vendor Conduent for a 15-year, AU$1.7 billion (US$1.1 billion), contract for a new fare system, according to published reports today.