Yet another incident of an expensive transport card getting hacked.
Wherever these 'smart card' systems have been foisted on commuters, they have created a mass of problems. Instead of being held to ransom by these parasitical international ticketing businesses - it's time to ditch the whole concept of time-wasting fare collecting rackets and make public transport free at the point of use - just like we do with our libraries ...and wrestle it all back under public control too. Editor.
RACHEL YOUNG, 11/11/2013
A hacker has exposed a flaw in Christchurch's public transport system leaving up to 70,000 people's personal details exposed, and potentially giving some free rides.
Environment Canterbury director operations Wayne Holton-Jeffreys said a few months ago a ''hacker'' showed them how he was able to put funds onto his metrocard without actually paying, up to a maximum of $200.
''We were aware of that issue and had put things in place to upgrade [the card system],'' he said.
''We had that planned to roll out by June 2014.''
He said they were part-way through the upgrades when the earthquakes struck so the focus shifted to securing cards rather than upgrading.
Holton-Jeffreys said during the weekend the same person had presented information at a conference showing flaws in the system that allowed access to up to 70,000 metrocard holder's details.
This morning, the Metrocard section of the regional transport information website was taken down.
''So to protect our metrocard holders privacy we have taken the website down,'' he said, adding that, ''I don't think I would be worried [as a metrocard holder].''
Holton-Jeffreys said the hacker had to enter an active metrocard six-digit number at random so could not search for people specifically. Likewise, there was no bank account information available, although names, addresses, telephone numbers and dates of birth could be found.
The flaw meant people could also add money to their metrocards without actually paying. But, Holton-Jeffreys did not believe this was going on as ECan kept a close eye on amounts transferred.
ECan hoped the flaw with the metrocards could be fixed quickly.
In the meantime, metrocard users can still use the card, but must top it up manually rather than online.
Holton-Jeffreys said the police had been called, but was unsure if any charges would be laid against the hacker.
Monday, November 11, 2013
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Auckland traffic jams create City of Snails
By Lincoln Tan
Kiwis now spend a staggering 101 hours annually in peak-hour traffic. Photo / NZ Herald
The City of Sails is fast becoming the City of Snails, and is rising on a list of the world's most congested cities compiled by navigation firm TomTom.
The report, which compares congestion levels in 169 cities across six continents, found New Zealand cities were experiencing some of the biggest increases in congestion.
On the list of the most congested cities, Auckland is ranked 15th, Christchurch 17th and Wellington 37th.
New Zealanders now spend a staggering 101 hours annually in peak-hour traffic, with Auckland having the biggest increase in congestion across Australia and New Zealand.
The congestion level for Auckland is measured at 34 per cent in the last June quarter, up from 30 per cent the year before. In Christchurch and Wellington it is 32 per cent and 28 per cent respectively.
At its worst, Aucklanders are stuck in traffic for an average of 47 minutes for each hour driven.
Tuesday mornings are the worst times to be travelling
around New Zealand's largest city, and congestion levels rise to over 85
per cent compared with non-peak times.
Commuters enjoy the best run on either a Friday morning or Monday evening when the levels drop to around 60 per cent.
The survey ranks Moscow as the most congested city, followed by Istanbul and the Polish city of Lodz.
A spokeswoman for TomTom said cities such as New Delhi, Beijing and Bangkok - which feature on other most congested cities lists - were not included.
The report is based mainly on travel time information obtained from TomTom customers in cities where the company is active. The spokeswoman said it was only the second time New Zealand had been included and the first time for South America.
Chris Kearney, vice-president TomTom Asia Pacific, said: "With the publication of the index, we aim to help governments and road authorities make more informed decisions about tackling ... traffic congestion."
The New Zealand Transport Agency said it was working to improve traffic flow in cities through investment in public transport services and infrastructure, roading and facilities.
"Our investment in public transport is at unprecedented levels, having risen by over 20 per cent nationwide in just three years," said agency spokesman Anthony Frith.
"We're also investing in walking and cycling facilities that will get people out of their cars and onto their bikes or travelling by foot."
In Auckland, the agency was investing $3.4 billion in the region's transport system, including $1.6 billion for state highways, $968 million for roads and $890 million for public transport.
Travel times
• 101 - Number of hours Kiwis spend stuck in peak-hour traffic a year
• 47 - minutes for every driving hour that Aucklanders get stuck in a jam
• 34% - Auckland's congestion level
World's most congested cities
1. Moscow
2. Istanbul
3. Lodz
14. Sydney
15. Auckland
17. Christchurch
37. Wellington
(Tom Tom Australia & NZ Traffic Index)
NZ Herald, Thursday Nov 7, 2013
Auckland 15th on a list of the most congested cities, with drivers stuck for 47 minutes for each hour driven.
Kiwis now spend a staggering 101 hours annually in peak-hour traffic. Photo / NZ Herald
The City of Sails is fast becoming the City of Snails, and is rising on a list of the world's most congested cities compiled by navigation firm TomTom.
The report, which compares congestion levels in 169 cities across six continents, found New Zealand cities were experiencing some of the biggest increases in congestion.
On the list of the most congested cities, Auckland is ranked 15th, Christchurch 17th and Wellington 37th.
New Zealanders now spend a staggering 101 hours annually in peak-hour traffic, with Auckland having the biggest increase in congestion across Australia and New Zealand.
The congestion level for Auckland is measured at 34 per cent in the last June quarter, up from 30 per cent the year before. In Christchurch and Wellington it is 32 per cent and 28 per cent respectively.
At its worst, Aucklanders are stuck in traffic for an average of 47 minutes for each hour driven.
Commuters enjoy the best run on either a Friday morning or Monday evening when the levels drop to around 60 per cent.
The survey ranks Moscow as the most congested city, followed by Istanbul and the Polish city of Lodz.
A spokeswoman for TomTom said cities such as New Delhi, Beijing and Bangkok - which feature on other most congested cities lists - were not included.
The report is based mainly on travel time information obtained from TomTom customers in cities where the company is active. The spokeswoman said it was only the second time New Zealand had been included and the first time for South America.
Chris Kearney, vice-president TomTom Asia Pacific, said: "With the publication of the index, we aim to help governments and road authorities make more informed decisions about tackling ... traffic congestion."
The New Zealand Transport Agency said it was working to improve traffic flow in cities through investment in public transport services and infrastructure, roading and facilities.
"Our investment in public transport is at unprecedented levels, having risen by over 20 per cent nationwide in just three years," said agency spokesman Anthony Frith.
"We're also investing in walking and cycling facilities that will get people out of their cars and onto their bikes or travelling by foot."
In Auckland, the agency was investing $3.4 billion in the region's transport system, including $1.6 billion for state highways, $968 million for roads and $890 million for public transport.
Travel times
• 101 - Number of hours Kiwis spend stuck in peak-hour traffic a year
• 47 - minutes for every driving hour that Aucklanders get stuck in a jam
• 34% - Auckland's congestion level
World's most congested cities
1. Moscow
2. Istanbul
3. Lodz
14. Sydney
15. Auckland
17. Christchurch
37. Wellington
(Tom Tom Australia & NZ Traffic Index)
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