Public transport fare concessions for tertiary students

[Derwan]

I must be no one then.

[Simon Lovell]

The solution for Sydney Uni (presumably all Sydney universities): A sticker with "2014" written on it.
The solution for UWA: An RFID student card which doubles as a SmartRider and is demoted from concession if no longer eligible.
The solution for Qld: TTCC

Urgh!

[STB]

A 'Stop The TTCC' protest has been announced...

https://www.facebook.com/events/1503835703164137/

Under recent changes to public transport concessions implemented by the QLD State Government, university students are now required to carry a Tertiary Transport Concession Card as proof of study.

This policy was implemented without consultation with either university administration or students and has been fraught with problems, including but not limited to: a significant portion of student fees being diverted to pay for university processing of TTCC forms, cards being dispatched with incorrect dates, names and details and a backlog so large that some students are left waiting months to receive their card.

Contrary to the aims of this initiative (deterring fare evasion from "students in suits"), the botched roll out of the TTCC has forced students into an impossible dilemma: fork out double for adult fares or risk the $227 dollar penalty if unable to display the card.

In a time where students are paying more than ever for the right to higher education, we do not believe the TTCC is a fair, ethical or responsible policy.

On August 7th at 3pm we will give the sitting members of parliament the chance to hear our concerns about the TTCC. We urge all students affected by the TTCC, or the increasing inaccessibility of public transport, to gather with us and let your voice be heard.

[STB]

Mass switch from student to adult go cards follows crackdown

THE State Government's crackdown on "students in suits" has already forced thousands of public transport rorters to switch to adult go cards, with 4000 believed to have switched in just one week at Central Station alone.

More than 70,000 students had taken up a new tertiary card since February, with the introduction of the card designed to weed out those sneakily gaming the system.

HI-TECH: Smartphones may replace go cards

The previous concession system allowed students no longer actually enrolled in courses to continue using their old student ID to take advantage of cheap travel, with the new policy now enabling universities to determine full-time status.

The grace period ended last month, with the State Government ramping up its clampdown on adult fare dodgers.

Transport Minister Scott Emerson said rorting and underhanded tactics had cost taxpayers almost $8 million in the past.

"Honest passengers are less likely to be ripped off as the number of adults pretending to be students rapidly declines," he said.

"Early passenger figures show an increase in the number of adult go cards through Central Station, while there was also a decline in tertiary student go cards."

Mr Emerson said about 4000 trips were recorded as changing from student to adult go cards at Central Station during the six days ending last Friday, "when compared to a similar period last year".

"For years, passengers have raised concerns about 'students in suits' where former students who are no longer enrolled in full-time courses continue to use their old ID to get cheap travel," he said.

"That is unfair to honest passengers and rorting puts more upward pressure on fares."

Previously, an internal student only had to attend a minimum of 12 hours of classes to fall into the full-time category.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/mass-switch-from-student-to-adult-go-cards-follows-crackdown/story-fnihsrf2-1227012095573

Really?  Or are these just genuine students who are still waiting for their TTCCs to be issued and are now being forced to use Adult Go Cards?

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

4th August 2014

Mass switch from student to adult go cards follows crackdown

Greetings,

The Government seems well pleased with the TTCC:

Mass switch from student to adult go cards follows crackdown

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/mass-switch-from-student-to-adult-go-cards-follows-crackdown/story-fnihsrf2-1227012095573

We support moves to tighten up concessions for those not so entitled.  The problem with the TTCC was that many legitimate  full students were denied concession travel, a problem simply overcome by allowing legitimate  full time students to continue access concession fares with a certified copy of their TTCC application whilst card processing occurs.  We know that because of delays in obtaining  their TTCC many students were forced to use an adult go card, this will have an impact on numbers as well.

Meanwhile, cashed up commuters in ' suits' continue to rort the go card system by taking lunch time one stop trips on bus trains and ferries.  This allows them to achieve the 9 and free cap quickly and then avoid paying the fair fare for their high cost commutes later in the week.

It is time the failed fare system in SEQ was fixed.  It is grossly inequitable, high cost and is driving people away from public transport.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Really is rather stupid of our fearless leaders.

It is so simple to take the heat out of this issue.  Simply allow the students to travel concession with a copy of their certified application whilst TTCC is actually processed.

But hey, this is Queensland!   

[ozbob]

I am totally unconvinced the the present model for public transport organisation, delivery and so forth is actually working for best outcomes.  With the conversion of qconnect to TransLink,  I think it is time the set up was re-assessed.

Public Transport Queensland? An independent statuary authority, with the some real clout and ability to argue rationally for public transport. 

The present TransLink being a collection of desks at TMR is not working out well at all IMHO ...

[Otto]

So far, I have only had a grand total of 2 TTCCs presented to me from pax purchasing concession tickets. All the others are still presenting their ID cards ( full time ) issued by their tertiary institution. I ask each tertiary student if they have applied for their TTCC and amazingly, most claim to know nothing about it.  Only a few have said they are waiting to receive it.
Of the 2 who did have a card, I asked how long it took to receive their card and the longest was 2 weeks.

My question is, Why are there so many who claim to not know about the TTCC ?

[ozbob]

...

My question is, Why are there so many who claim to not know about the TTCC ?

Fair question Otto.   Students sometimes only hear what they want to hear. 

TransLink has engaged the educational institutions at the high level well with this.  Seems still communication issues within the institutions themselves ..

I guess they see it as not their main priority internally.

[ozbob]

To give you an idea of how ineffectual the educational bureaucracies can be.  Consider this ..

When I was an academic I used to email all students with details of track closures, particularly on examination weekends.

Because if I didn't a lot of students who had weekend examinations would be late and possibly miss them.  A big deal in EDU land.

I did this because there was no real understanding within the bureaucracy that track closures was going to cause big problems with exam deadlines and cause much stress and distress to students.

Seems the world is still much the same (retired from EDU land 4 years ago now ..)  TTCC is probably not being pushed hard.

[James]

So far, I have only had a grand total of 2 TTCCs presented to me from pax purchasing concession tickets. All the others are still presenting their ID cards ( full time ) issued by their tertiary institution. I ask each tertiary student if they have applied for their TTCC and amazingly, most claim to know nothing about it.  Only a few have said they are waiting to receive it.
Of the 2 who did have a card, I asked how long it took to receive their card and the longest was 2 weeks.

My question is, Why are there so many who claim to not know about the TTCC ?

I wouldn't be surprised if some students are claiming ignorance to avoid being kicked off PT services  or fined. It has been publicised on social media that pleading ignorance is less likely to lead to fines compared to others.

A lot of Uni students simply don't bother thinking more than about 12 hours in advance though, and some are very ignorant to the world around them. People knew for months about the TTCC, smart ones would have sent their form in in April like I did - after the initial rush, before the rush for the July deadline...

[STB]

So far, I have only had a grand total of 2 TTCCs presented to me from pax purchasing concession tickets. All the others are still presenting their ID cards ( full time ) issued by their tertiary institution. I ask each tertiary student if they have applied for their TTCC and amazingly, most claim to know nothing about it.  Only a few have said they are waiting to receive it.
Of the 2 who did have a card, I asked how long it took to receive their card and the longest was 2 weeks.

My question is, Why are there so many who claim to not know about the TTCC ?

I wouldn't be surprised if some students are claiming ignorance to avoid being kicked off PT services  or fined. It has been publicised on social media that pleading ignorance is less likely to lead to fines compared to others.

A lot of Uni students simply don't bother thinking more than about 12 hours in advance though, and some are very ignorant to the world around them. People knew for months about the TTCC, smart ones would have sent their form in in April like I did - after the initial rush, before the rush for the July deadline...

Don't forget James, there will be Mid Year students who didn't get that amnesty from the fines and so are now forced to pay adult fares until TransLink and the supplier of the cards send the cards out.

I concur with Ozbob too, that from my experiences studying at QUT and Griffith, students will barely know things are happening, even in the courses they are studying surprisingly.  I've lost count of the number of times a Lecturer and/or a Tutor will have to remind students to look stuff up on Blackboard for example (with QUT) while giving blank faces to a question that the students should've known the answer to from the readings for example.

[James]

Don't forget James, there will be Mid Year students who didn't get that amnesty from the fines and so are now forced to pay adult fares until TransLink and the supplier of the cards send the cards out.

I concur with Ozbob too, that from my experiences studying at QUT and Griffith, students will barely know things are happening, even in the courses they are studying surprisingly.  I've lost count of the number of times a Lecturer and/or a Tutor will have to remind students to look stuff up on Blackboard for example (with QUT) while giving blank faces to a question that the students should've known the answer to from the readings for example.

Well there's plenty of time before semester to get your concession card in order before Uni starts, you just need to be pro-active. I got my ID 4 weeks before classes started (in part because I wanted my concession back, I refuse to pay over $3 to travel distances I can walk). Would have been plenty of time to get a TTCC, and I'm sure the same happens for mid-year students.

I think the worst part is the lack of application rejection notification, and people just submitting the form then doing nothing. Maybe I'm just not lazy, but I would have been chasing TransLink in June if my TTCC hadn't arrived...

[ozbob]

Letter to the editor Queensland Times published 5th August 2014 page 13

Failed fare system needs to be fixed

[HappyTrainGuy]

Is this a translink idea or a government forced idea ie TTCC?

[SurfRail]

Driven by one particular fellow in the chamber of whom most of us have a fairly dim impression.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard 6th August 2014

http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2014/2014_08_06_DAILY.pdf

Questions Without Notice

Public Transport, Seniors Card, Tertiary Transport Concession Card

Dr DOUGLAS: My question is to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads. Public transport is a very expensive option for Gold Coasters. There is much confusion about free seniors public transport travel and Tertiary Transport Concession Cards eligibility, and I ask: can the minister please outline what the government's policy position is? I table one of the fines given to a TTC cardholder from a registered organisation.
Tabled paper: TransLink offence notices dated 5 August 2014.

Mr EMERSON: I thank the member for Gaven for the question. In terms of seniors travel on the Gold Coast, as the member knows, across our network we do provide concessions for seniors in terms of both 50 per cent discounts and free travel after a number of journeys. In terms of the Gold Coast specifically, the local council has a policy regarding seniors, and I do support the council implementing that policy. I know that Tom Tate, the local mayor, wrote to me recently to indicate that in their most recent budget they would be continuing that policy going forward. I do support him in doing that.

We introduced the Tertiary Transport Concession Card because across our system we were seeing that about 150,000 people were claiming to be a full-time student. In fact, on our figures, based on what the universities were telling us, about 85,000 were eligible for concessions. So we brought in that card. At this stage on the Gold Coast specifically, about 95 per cent of students who are eligible have applied and have received their Tertiary Transport Concession Card. That means that students are travelling correctly and are claiming concessions. What we do not want to see—and this is the problem that we faced—is people falsely claiming to be a full-time student and wrongly claiming the concession. They are basically penalising everyone else on our public transport system. Our estimates are that up to $8 million is being lost because of people rorting the system. I do not have the recent figures specifically for the Gold Coast, but I will give you an example of the changes we have seen already since we brought in this policy. Once we started to crack down on this rorting, in terms of Central Railway Station, in just a week we saw a 4,000 turnaround; that is the number of students dropping and the number of adults going up. These were people who were previously falsely claiming to be students and claiming a concession when they were not eligible for it. These were students in suits. They did not have a right to the concession but they were claiming it.

So we have cracked down on this rorting and I make no apologies for that. I have seen claims that there has been a backlog. There has been no backlog. When we issued this, we said it would take up to 15 days. In fact, the turnaround time, on average, has been over seven days—less than eight days. We have seen the turnaround and at no time has there been a backlog. In fact, across the network about 80,000 cards have been issued to students. Let's not forget that we announced this in February, but we had a grace period. We did not bring it in until 1 July. The bottom line is—
(Time expired)

=======================

[ozbob]

A significant number of students obtained an adult go card has they had not received their TTCC.  Numbers bit shaky ...

[STB]

I was out at the TTCC protest today outside parliament house.  The candidates for the ALP and Greens for Indooroopilly in attendance, Jackie Trad was also in attendance and was presented a petition of 2000 signatures with a fake oversized ticketing fine of $227.  The protest was held during the parliamentary sitting.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

8th August 2014

Re: Mass switch from student to adult go cards follows crackdown

Greetings,

Students rallied outside Parliament yesterday afternoon expressing their dissatisfaction with the TTCC.

We don't have a problem with the Minister's move to ensure that those accessing concession fares are correctly entitled to do that.

The festering problem is that there are delays in the issuance of the TTCC itself (hundreds of students can attest to that).

All we are asking is that once a student has submitted their TTCC application and it has been certified by their educational institution as to their bona-fides, that they be allowed to access concession fares showing a copy of that application in the interim to authorities as needed.  The student will have a student ID Card to further corroborate.

In Queensland people can drive a motor vehicle on a licence receipt, whilst the the actual licence itself is processed.

Why not a TTCC?  Petty policy hey?

The 4000 number* quoted as proof of the switch certainly includes a significant number of students who unable to obtain a TTCC in a timely manner had to use an adult go card, just saying.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org


* http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10520.msg145111#msg145111

Sent to all outlets:

4th August 2014

Mass switch from student to adult go cards follows crackdown

Greetings,

The Government seems well pleased with the TTCC:

Mass switch from student to adult go cards follows crackdown

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/mass-switch-from-student-to-adult-go-cards-follows-crackdown/story-fnihsrf2-1227012095573

We support moves to tighten up concessions for those not so entitled.  The problem with the TTCC was that many legitimate  full students were denied concession travel, a problem simply overcome by allowing legitimate  full time students to continue access concession fares with a certified copy of their TTCC application whilst card processing occurs.  We know that because of delays in obtaining  their TTCC many students were forced to use an adult go card, this will have an impact on numbers as well.

Meanwhile, cashed up commuters in ' suits' continue to rort the go card system by taking lunch time one stop trips on bus trains and ferries.  This allows them to achieve the 9 and free cap quickly and then avoid paying the fair fare for their high cost commutes later in the week.

It is time the failed fare system in SEQ was fixed.  It is grossly inequitable, high cost and is driving people away from public transport.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

I was out at the TTCC protest today outside parliament house.  The candidates for the ALP and Greens for Indooroopilly in attendance, Jackie Trad was also in attendance and was presented a petition of 2000 signatures with a fake oversized ticketing fine of $227.  The protest was held during the parliamentary sitting.

Twitter

Christopher Horacek ‏@Chris_Horacek

Addressing the TTCC Rally outside Parliament House #Fight4Qld #V4Chris #qldpol

[ozbob]

A letter to the Editor Queensland Times 8th August 2014 page 15

Transport concession cards on the slow boat

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

8th August 2014

Re: Mass switch from student to adult go cards follows crackdown

Greetings

A letter to the editor Queensland Times 8th August 2014 page 15

Transport concession cards on the slow boat



Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Sent to all outlets:

8th August 2014

Re: Mass switch from student to adult go cards follows crackdown

Greetings,

Students rallied outside Parliament yesterday afternoon expressing their dissatisfaction with the TTCC.

We don't have a problem with the Minister's move to ensure that those accessing concession fares are correctly entitled to do that.

The festering problem is that there are delays in the issuance of the TTCC itself (hundreds of students can attest to that).

All we are asking is that once a student has submitted their TTCC application and it has been certified by their educational institution as to their bona-fides, that they be allowed to access concession fares showing a copy of that application in the interim to authorities as needed.  The student will have a student ID Card to further corroborate.

In Queensland people can drive a motor vehicle on a licence receipt, whilst the the actual licence itself is processed.

Why not a TTCC?  Petty policy hey?

The 4000 number* quoted as proof of the switch certainly includes a significant number of students who unable to obtain a TTCC in a timely manner had to use an adult go card, just saying.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org


* http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10520.msg145111#msg145111

Sent to all outlets:

4th August 2014

Mass switch from student to adult go cards follows crackdown

Greetings,

The Government seems well pleased with the TTCC:

Mass switch from student to adult go cards follows crackdown

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/mass-switch-from-student-to-adult-go-cards-follows-crackdown/story-fnihsrf2-1227012095573

We support moves to tighten up concessions for those not so entitled.  The problem with the TTCC was that many legitimate  full students were denied concession travel, a problem simply overcome by allowing legitimate  full time students to continue access concession fares with a certified copy of their TTCC application whilst card processing occurs.  We know that because of delays in obtaining  their TTCC many students were forced to use an adult go card, this will have an impact on numbers as well.

Meanwhile, cashed up commuters in ' suits' continue to rort the go card system by taking lunch time one stop trips on bus trains and ferries.  This allows them to achieve the 9 and free cap quickly and then avoid paying the fair fare for their high cost commutes later in the week.

It is time the failed fare system in SEQ was fixed.  It is grossly inequitable, high cost and is driving people away from public transport.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow @Robert_Dow

http://twitpic.com/e9nbig  - Classic dumb policy > http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10520.msg145162#msg145162 ... #qldpol #ttcc

[ozbob]

[petey3801]

Not only is it a botched mess trying to roll this stupid card out, it's also pointless! I know of people who enrolled as full time, got the student card, got their TTCC, then dropped back to part time/nothing at all. So in reality, it does absolutely nothing to stop this, apart from make people do a little bit of extra work to get it, which, considering the high fares, is more than worth it!

[ozbob]

Not only is it a botched mess trying to roll this stupid card out, it's also pointless! I know of people who enrolled as full time, got the student card, got their TTCC, then dropped back to part time/nothing at all. So in reality, it does absolutely nothing to stop this, apart from make people do a little bit of extra work to get it, which, considering the high fares, is more than worth it!

At a recent meeting I suggested that more than a few students who once having secured the TTCC would do just that, change their enrolment status from full to part time.

There were many ' what, me worry? ' stares ...

Onwards Queensland, cashed up students in suits are terrible, the cashed up suits doing the lunch time one stop bus ride ... well lets pretend it is not happening ...

[STB]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/city/brisbane-university-students-say-they-bought-adult-go-cards-because-of-delays-in-the-new-ttcc-system/story-fni9r0jy-1227028375020?nk=34a4a1c879f406434b88892c6adee7bb

Brisbane university students say they bought adult go cards because of delays in the new TTCC system

Felicity Caldwell
Quest Newspapers
August 19, 2014 12:00AM

SOUTHSIDE university students are paying full adult fares for public transport after lengthy delays for the new Tertiary Transport Concession Card (TTCC).

The card, which came into effect on July 1, is designed to prevent rorting by "students in suits" who are no longer studying but hold unexpired student cards.

But legitimate university students say they have been disadvantaged.

Commuters who travel on concession go cards without a TTCC risk a $227 fine.

Fairfield resident Isabel Manfield, who studies at University of Queensland, said she applied for the card around July 1.

"It took about a month-and-a-half for it to come in," Ms Manfield said.

"In that time I had to use an adult go card because I couldn't afford the fee.

"I'm struggling as a student for cash right now and I had to use my credit card to top up my go card."

Ms Manfield, 21, said adult tickets were twice as expensive.

"I'm absolutely outraged," she said.

Griffith University student Angus McKinnon said he could not apply for the card until July 31 because the classes he needed to enrol in were full, meaning he was technically not "full-time" until more classes were opened.

Mr McKinnon, from Holland Park, said he was still waiting for his TTCC.

"It's been incredibly frustrating and incredibly expensive too," he said.

"I'm already down to my last $10 every fortnight, it's really hurt me."

Labor candidate for Yeerongpilly Mark Bailey said students were suffering.

"Full time students shouldn't have to choose between paying adult go-card fares because their TTCC card hasn't arrived or risking fines which are higher than an average weeks rent," Mr Bailey said.

A spokeswoman for Transport Minister Scott Emerson said there was no delay and the average process time was about seven business days.

"We make no apologies for being tough on rorting that costs honest taxpayers almost $8 million a year," she said.

"Universities determine whether a student is full time and therefore eligible for the concession.

"Honest passengers are less likely to be ripped off as the number of adults pretending to be students rapidly declines."

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

20th August 2014

TTCC failures

Greetings,

Brisbane university students say they bought adult go cards because of delays in the new TTCC system

> http://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/city/brisbane-university-students-say-they-bought-adult-go-cards-because-of-delays-in-the-new-ttcc-system/story-fni9r0jy-1227028375020?nk=34a4a1c879f406434b88892c6adee7bb

Such an easy solution to the delays (denied by the authorities) in TTCC issuance procedures.

Once a students application has been certified, allow the student to access concession fares using a copy of that certified application while card is issued.

The Minister for Transport is quite happy for cashed up suits to rort the the go card system by taking lunch time one stop trips.  But refuses to act with commonsense for the TTCC and is happy to punish legitimate students.

Maybe it is time for a Minister that is actually across the portfolio, and is truly interested in doing the right thing rather than focussed on spin and self promotion?

The fare system in SEQ is an abject failure - high cost and anti-public transport.   TTCC is just another dimension to the failure.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Sent to all outlets:

8th August 2014

Re: Mass switch from student to adult go cards follows crackdown

Greetings

A letter to the editor Queensland Times 8th August 2014 page 15

Transport concession cards on the slow boat



Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Sent to all outlets:

8th August 2014

Re: Mass switch from student to adult go cards follows crackdown

Greetings,

Students rallied outside Parliament yesterday afternoon expressing their dissatisfaction with the TTCC.

We don't have a problem with the Minister's move to ensure that those accessing concession fares are correctly entitled to do that.

The festering problem is that there are delays in the issuance of the TTCC itself (hundreds of students can attest to that).

All we are asking is that once a student has submitted their TTCC application and it has been certified by their educational institution as to their bona-fides, that they be allowed to access concession fares showing a copy of that application in the interim to authorities as needed.  The student will have a student ID Card to further corroborate.

In Queensland people can drive a motor vehicle on a licence receipt, whilst the the actual licence itself is processed.

Why not a TTCC?  Petty policy hey?

The 4000 number* quoted as proof of the switch certainly includes a significant number of students who unable to obtain a TTCC in a timely manner had to use an adult go card, just saying.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org


* http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10520.msg145111#msg145111

Sent to all outlets:

4th August 2014

Mass switch from student to adult go cards follows crackdown

Greetings,

The Government seems well pleased with the TTCC:

Mass switch from student to adult go cards follows crackdown

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/mass-switch-from-student-to-adult-go-cards-follows-crackdown/story-fnihsrf2-1227012095573

We support moves to tighten up concessions for those not so entitled.  The problem with the TTCC was that many legitimate  full students were denied concession travel, a problem simply overcome by allowing legitimate  full time students to continue access concession fares with a certified copy of their TTCC application whilst card processing occurs.  We know that because of delays in obtaining  their TTCC many students were forced to use an adult go card, this will have an impact on numbers as well.

Meanwhile, cashed up commuters in ' suits' continue to rort the go card system by taking lunch time one stop trips on bus trains and ferries.  This allows them to achieve the 9 and free cap quickly and then avoid paying the fair fare for their high cost commutes later in the week.

It is time the failed fare system in SEQ was fixed.  It is grossly inequitable, high cost and is driving people away from public transport.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Letter to the editor Queensland Times 21st August 2014 page 15

'Cashed-up suits' are rorting travel system

[ozbob]

Still TTCC grief out there ..

e.g.

Twitter

Ash Parajuli ‏@urbanplanr 1h

Has been 5 weeks of university teaching and TransLink or the card contractor still saying backlog to me. Y not hire more staff? @Robert_Dow

[Avocado]

It was August 12th, 2014. That morning, I took my wheelchair-bound, mentor and landlord to the newly built tram station in Southport, to Broadbeach North. I paid my fare using my Go Card as usual, and I encountered 4 ticket-inspectors checking fares during the trip.

I showed them my student card and Go Card, even my driver's licence – and I was then told that I must have 3 cards altogether – my student card, tertiary card and Go Card. One of them said I would have been informed by the University and therefore I must have a tertiary card!

I replied that I had NEVER heard from the University about this. But I was never believed.

I was then told to apply for a tertiary card, but before I receive that specific card, I will have to pay full fare for every public transport trip I make!

I then said that is so unfair to students, as they should be given something before receiving the applicable card!

Approximately one hour later or so, I took the trip from Broadbeach North to Southport again, and met the same 4 people again! They kept on saying that I committed an offence by using the concession card, and gave me a fine for $227.00! There were four of them all surrounding me!

I was so appalled to experience such shocking abuse, and I insisted on saying that before I successfully apply and get the so called "tertiary card", I should be given something to still get my concession fare! I was told by them that I must submit my driver's licence to them; I declined by saying it was totally irrelevant – how about if I am a student who cannot drive?!

I asked for their identification, but they refused to show me and just told me one of them has a patch number of "602"! I was also being threatened to be sent to the Police Station! The ticket writer "816" asked me, "We can take you to the Police Station, do you want me to do that?"

I am speechless, yet I must utter my voice, to appeal against the social injustice I have suffered on the tram of Translink!

To putting down my evidence in order,

(1) I had never received or heard of a 'Tertiary card' at the time of the so-called 'offence';

(2) Still a student, but I wasn't attending Uni in early August, still two more years to go until August, 2016;

(3) I showed them the normal 2 cards I hold or use, unchanged, for 5 years;

(4) Guiding my patient in a wheelchair as a certified Carer (CIII of HACC) to a medical specialist, should I have left him stranded and taken a taxi? He is in his 9th decade, 7 heart attacks – 3 before new heart, 4 subsequent, diabetic Type 1, insulin reliant, and vascular disease, high B.P. to name some of his "problems" + leg amputee;

(5) She was officious towards me. No. 602;

(6) Both my patient and I are very happy to sign a "STAT DEC" anytime. I have been honest in paying any fare I should pay all the time! I will happily pay the full fare for two times only, but never another cent for such a crime!

(7) If I had left my patient – he is dying – totally stranded; I would surely be committing a far more criminal act than 'Big Brother's' authentic card?

P S I made a phone call to Queensland Rail's fine investigation unit at 11:00 a.m. and 3:06 p.m. on August 13th, 2014. Nobody answered the phone.

I also wrote to DTMR to appeal against this fine, but I haven't received a single word from them!

[STB]

Unfortunate incident, kinda surprised that the university didn't inform you of the TTCC.  Legislation does state that you do need the TTCC (Transport Tertiary Concession Card) as the only formal proof of proving you are a student and it has been advertised on the TransLink website for many months.

By the way, TransLink has had this card forced upon them as well, Scott Emerson (the Transport Minister) pretty much overrode his own department in introducing this card for political points.  There's a thread posted elsewhere on this forum about the TTCC - see here ---> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10520.240.

It's up to them, but I don't think that this fine will be able to be reversed as you were informed about needing the card and then needing an Adult Go Card until you get the TTCC, and then you travelled and got caught again using the Concession card after being informed, so on their side they would've had an expectation that you would then buy an Adult Go Card at the other end and use that until you received your TTCC card.

[SurfRail]

Unfortunately ignorance of the law is no defence, especially if you've already been warned.  Adult go cards are available for sale all along the route.

The situation stinks but I can't think of any reason why the fine would be waived (other than bad press of course).

[James]

Students have been given plenty of notice of needing the TTCC on the TransLink website, and should have been notified in a variety of ways by their relevant University. Not to be too offensive, but if you haven't heard of the TTCC, you obviously have been living under a rock. It has featured in the news, in protests held by the UQ Union and sponsored by the National Union of Students, and just in general conversation.

In short - you've committed fare evasion, it is irrelevant that you "didn't know" - ignorance isn't an excuse to not obey the law. Giving you a fine on the same day they give you a warning probably is a bit rich, but aside from that the Senior Network Officers were doing their job, nothing more. The reason why they asked for a driver's license was likely for identification purposes - otherwise you can claim to be Robert Dow from Goodna and nobody will know the difference until poor old ozbob gets a TTCC fine in the mail!

Ticket machines exist right along the GCLRT, so there's no excuse for not having cash to buy paper tickets (as AVVMs take card as well). You may have a case given you were directly caring for the individual and he would have been unable to travel without your assistance. Again, very subjective and DTMR can retort and just say that you should have had a Companion Card, which exempts you entirely from having to pay a fare due to being a carer for the individual.

Note to mods: This probably belongs in the TTCC thread, rather than a thread from 2009.

[dancingmongoose]

My tertiary institute didn't notify me in any way about the TTCC either so I'd believe it, but the fact of the matter is you were told you aren't entitled to a concession and have to pay adult fares, you didn't and got caught. You can claim ignorance for the warning but not the fine. The trams stations all have ticket machines, there was nothing stopping you buying an adult ticket

[Avocado]

1. I seldom use tram or buses because I ride a bicycle
2. I never heard of the tertiary card, and when I heard of it the first time on the tram, I said students should be given something to still receive the concession fare when apply for the applicable card
3. My student card expired in August this year. And the policy of Tertiary card came valid in July
4. I have no intention to evade any fare, and it is extremely unfair for overseas students, not only for me,
5. Numerous other reasons that I cannot list so far

[STB]

1. I seldom use tram or buses because I ride a bicycle
2. I never heard of the tertiary card, and when I heard of it the first time on the tram, I said students should be given something to still receive the concession fare when apply for the applicable card
3. My student card expired in August this year. And the policy of Tertiary card came valid in July
4. I have no intention to evade any fare, and it is extremely unfair for overseas students, not only for me,
5. Numerous other reasons that I cannot list so far

Regardless of not knowing about the card prior to being talked to by the SNOs, you still had a responsibility to purchase an Adult paper ticket or an Adult Go Card which you can buy either even with EFTPOS from any of the ticket machines at any of the tram stations after you had been warned about not having the TTCC and therefore your concession card, even with your student ID card, as the TTCC is the ONLY formal identification allowed to access student concession travel.  So, yeah basically you'll just have to cop the fine and pay for it as you failed to remedy the situation by purchasing an Adult paper ticket or Adult Go Card on the return trip.

It has been talked about here about giving students a signed certified copy of the application while they are awaiting the card, but so far the Government (not TransLink - they are roped into doing what the Government tells them to do in relation to this card, namely Transport Minister Scott Emerson), has stated that they will not be allowing any other form of proof.  So until things change you won't have a case to have the fine removed unfortunately, and no one here will be able to help, other than to keep lobbying the Government to do something about the Card and come up with a better solution to prevent future instances of this sort of thing in the future.

The SNOs were just doing what they have been directed to do, regardless of how you were feeling about how you were looked after by them.  Sad to say, but I'm siding with the SNOs as others here seem to be as well.  You were in the wrong due to the above reasons, and you'll just have to pay the fine.  I can say with near certainty that the fine will not be reversed.

[Stillwater]

The government could have handled the publicity around the tertiary card better rather than relying on the tertiary institutions themselves to inform students.

[dancingmongoose]

3. My student card expired in August this year. And the policy of Tertiary card came valid in July

What date did your card expire? If you attempted to claim concession on an expired card, TTCC policy or not, that is fare evasion