Sydney’s buses have been praised for introducing charging stations onboard, but one major question remains about the update.
I was on a bus from Cremorne into the city when I spotted USB charging ports on one of the newer additions to the fleet.
Momentarily, I was excited. How often have I been caught heading to work or coming home from a night out with the battery dangerously in single digits and needing a quick boost?
A woman has raised a major issue with new bus feature
(Yahoo Lifestyle)
Many public transport systems around the world already have this feature for years, so it’s great that Australia was finally catching up.
I began to rifle through my bag for a charger, only to realise the one I had didn’t fit.
Mine was a USB-C charger for both the phone and the wall, as it’s a new iPhone model. But the socket on the bus was for USB-A, which the old-school plugin.
This made me wonder: who has USB-A chargers anymore? Don’t most people have USB-C ports now?
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Newer iPhones only have a USB-C port on the charger, and many Android models are the same.
The European Union has been mandating that all new laptops, phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, gaming consoles, and portable speakers sold on the continent must have USB-C ports, marking a major shift away from USB-A.
While Australia is half a world away, it’s bizarre that buses would utilise ageing technology.
Why does this feel so outdated, and why isn’t there, at the very least, an option with both USB-C and USB-A outlets so we’re catering to this transition?
Do you have a public transport gripe? Contact claudia.poposki@yahooinc.com
Transport for NSW responds to bus complaint
The introduction of USB-A charging ports on Sydney buses is an ongoing update that’s been running for more than three years.
A spokesperson for Transport for NSW said that as it expanded the tech, it would take into account the pace of broader shifts in the market.
“Transport for NSW is committed to improving the passenger experience across the public transport network,” the spokesperson said.
“USB charging capability has been introduced on our B-Line double-decker buses.
“As we continue to modernise the bus fleet, we will work closely with bus manufacturers and operators to explore opportunities to expand USB charging capability on future vehicle purchases, taking into consideration passenger needs, operational requirements and evolving technology.
The woman raised the question of whether this addition was already outdated.
(Yahoo Lifestyle)Australians weigh in on bus sighting
Some people agreed with my take on the matter, while others argued that USB-A chargers were still relevant.
“Typical Transport for NSW, years behind the rest of the world,” one said.
“You do know people with older phones, such as the iPhone 7+ up to iPhone X, come with the USB-A. Those people will need to use it,” added another.
“I’ll take what I can get at this point,” wrote one resigned traveller.
“USB-A to USB-C cables will be around for a long time,” commented a fourth.
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