Complaint to Transport NSW Old Bus Travel Ticket

In the mid last year since the Opal system removed the paper ticket system, the Transport NSW given us the opportunity to submit a paper ticket refund form for money refund.

I did that accordingly, but until late November still got nothing and decided to chase up the Transport NSW to find out why. went onto Transport NSW site completed a feedback report. The process take long enough anyway for them to get a response. After days maybe a week waiting an email response from customer liaison section. Long email story short, having email chat a few time with a customer officer (M in email) mention my forms has incorrect bank details which cause the held up. I don't have a clue why, but this is fine.

M officer mention on email that they have closed the refund system so will give me the credit back to opal credit. At first I asked whether can credit me the refund as money accordingly. M email refused whatever her reason we will only give you Opal credit back. She mention this is a goodwill gesture as we have closed our refund system as final option for me if choose this. (tone of email is quite unfriendly)

I gave her a opal card number about one week now but until today still no Opal credit back. This is kind of very frustrating wait as first step till now as I did absolutely nothing wrong. I don't believe that M officer have even care help me giving me the credit.

You have a feeling their customer help line is as much frustrating as taking daily vent from train or bus late or leave early, congestion peak hours etc.

Anyone have similar experience with Transport NSW customer line? Where can we escalated this? maybe her higher manager or a different government institution or what sort?

I just want my fair money back.

Thanks

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Comments

  • +2

    What ticket was refunded? I thought all the quarterly/annual passes were valid until they expired?
    Or do you mean a travel ten for a bus?

    This is kind of very frustrating wait as first step till now as I did absolutely nothing wrong.

    Well, to be fair, it does appear that you gave incorrect banking information, then only followed up after the refund period had expired. I don't know why they didn't contact you in the meantime, perhaps their message ended in spam or something.
    Despite this, they have offered you Opal credit, although like most government agencies, doing anything a little out of the ordinary takes a lot longer than one would expect.

    By all means complain, but at this time your complaint has no real substance and no real resolution. If they fail to credit your Opal, you can at least ask for that to happen.

    If it were me, I would be patient. After all, the amount is not large, you did not initially pursue it urgently, and they have agreed to provide the credit, so why not let them do what they said?

    You have a feeling their customer help line is as much frustrating as taking daily vent from train or bus late or leave early, congestion peak hours etc.

    Undoubtedly, but also from people seeking refunds after the period has expired and the ability to provide them is no longer available. Luckily, they have agreed to process a credit to Opal. If your work had processes that took a long time when you were trying to help a customer with a non-standard request, you would likely feel disappointed if the customer you were trying to help complained to your boss.

    • thanks for input.

      My bank detail is Indeed correct as I mention. It could easily be on their end who make so errors but they not mention it, but that's not the main issue now. It is when or whether will they gave me the opal credit as agreed.

      but do you know who to complaint here? as I have submit a feedback from transport NSW site and not sure what category would fit to submit this again.

      In my feeling, just might be that M officer on the email who are not really into get me the help expect.

  • +2

    I think you should be patient about the Opal credit and not upset yourself imagining M trying to fob you off. It may just be taking time as it's a non-standard request. All you are losing is the interest on that small amount of money, and you are increasing your blood pressure. It's only been one week! Give them some time, set a date in your diary 2 weeks from now to make another enquiry about how it's going, and for the time being just put it out of your mind.

  • How much is the refund owed to you?

    • only 19.20 and im a true op :)

      • +1

        im a true op

        ?? A true OzPargainer?

  • I am in the same position, I have sent in 3 senior paper tickets for my father, total is $7.50 to be refunded to his bank account. I never hear anything from department of transport and the money was never refunded. I did not call department of transport because I did not keep a copy of the claim.

    • do you remember the form details? tell them the form details, maybe they can track it. If you want fair money back worth a try you may get a better person. chance is the transport NSW made minor mistake when process your form.

      I got a copy and scanned for M officer. yet I spend like 4 emails with the M officer initial trying to prove my claim is valid. her attitude more like a boss over subordinate either you want this or get lost.

      • I cannot remember the form details. When I filled in the form and posted it back to the department of transport, I trusted them and think that they will action the refund without a doubt. I learned my lesion now - always keep a copy of any claim form. I am very annoyed with it !

  • +1

    It took well over three months for me to get $217.50 back. I actually profited because ticket prices went up and I managed to purchase them at a discount thanks to Woolies offers at the time.

  • it took a while for my refund to come through. was only about $20-30

  • Update: finally got my opal credits today.

    Not without go through number of huddles.

    Officer M actually do not even look into getting me any opal credits. She basically have an attitude not going to do it at all. raise another enquiry to chase it back from 13500.com.au feedback and no use. For anyone may have interest, this feedback forum from 131500 interesting actually directed to only one person for most cases which is M officer. so obviously my second enquiry did not even get reply and anything.

    Have discuss with number of people. Transport NSW unfair conduct can further escalate to Ombudsman NSW. I approached them and explain my case to them. The lady mention that it is completely appropriate to get you credit back even should have the refund back as cash refund as I have complete the step form within timeframe. Bank detail error is another issue as it has been done appropriately. Ombudsman lady provided me a different referral email which direct to Secretary of Transport NSW to voice my case. If this method still not work then Ombudsman will take it up on my behave. Take a bit of time to write up the story but it is worth it.

    At least finally today received the opal credit. Strictly I could look for a fair cash refund but happy for this settlement.

    I encourage anyone who did not receive their refund back go to chase it up. Even you may have lost your form they would have the profile if you push them to help you. My luck for this case progress with officer M I have dealt with just a complete bad person.

    Better settle for this as what more can expect. it is properly how we usually felt with public transport system in sydney

    • If you use your opal card ehularly, why so unhappy with opal credit. Even if you use once a m th, you are done! Be happy.

  • Thanks for the tip. Had the same issue with them. Lodged claim for 19 travelten tickets at Transport Kiosk in Central Station within stipulated timeframe. After waiting 6 mths and no refund I lodged a query on the website for payment status. They claimed the refund request was not received so too bad. Given the amount involved I will be fighting through NSW Ombudsman as you did. Anyone else having the same problem with their lost claim?

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