16 Jun 2014: SEQ: Flawed cost estimates for the nine and free go card rort?

[ozbob]

Media release 16 June 2014

SEQ: Flawed cost estimates for the nine and free go card rort?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has said recent data has confirmed the fare box leakage is contributing to high cost fares in south-east Queensland on the TransLink network (1). Further more, Government budgeting estimates for this leakage are flawed.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"In a recent response to a Question On Notice, the Transport Minister Mr Emerson has said

' ... Foregone revenue associated is not able to be calculated given many of these trips
would not have been taken without this beneficial policy ...' (2)."

"However in a statement dated 10th June 2014 Mr Emerson has said ' The nine and free policy is budgeted to cost $38 million over four years. ' (3)."

Our estimates of the real cost of the nine and free are:

Average 70,000 free trips per week x $7 subsidy +$2 lost fare = $630,000/ week say $50 million per year in direct costs.

"If the authorities cannot calculate foregone revenue then how can they calculate a budgeted cost?"

"The so called ' budgeting ' for the nine and free is apparently based on an assumption of lost fare revenue only. This is nonsense.  The government is saying that the typical ninth journey for a typical commuter on a Friday morning costs $7 public subsidy, the commuter pays an average fare of $2, an overall cost of $9. But they then suggest the journey home on a Friday only costs foregone fare revenue of $2?  Nonsense!"

"This fare box leakage compounds the fare system crisis in south-east Queensland."

"It is time to fix the fares!"

References:

1. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/friday-is-becoming-free-day-on-go-cards-20140613-zs7jl.html

2. http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2014/355-2014.pdf

3. http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2014/6/10/policy-delivers-seven-million-free-trips

4. Go card data confirms the fare failure in south-east Queensland http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10748.msg143062#msg143062

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Discussion --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10444.msg143109#msg143109

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

16th July 2014

SEQ: Flawed cost estimates for the nine and free go card rort?

Good Morning,

Yesterday in estimates, more bluff and bluster. In a statement Shadow Transport Minister Ms Trad said this:

" ... Ms Trad said that Mr Emerson refused to detail the true cost of the Newman Government's nine trips and free program.

"In 2013, the Minister was able to detail the cost of the program, but this year he refused to answer any questions or detail actual costs," Ms Trad said.

"This is because Minister Emerson knows his program is grossly underfunded and over-budget. ... "

http://annastaciapalaszczukmp.com.au/2014/07/15/emerson-bungles-budget-numbers/

There are indeed very obvious reasons why the cost was not disclosed.   The fare system is a failure and detailing the costs will just further confirm the charade it is.

This media release confirms the ' double think ' that is exercised to continue the fare con ..

Have a great day!

Best wishes

Robert

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

Media release 16 June 2014

SEQ: Flawed cost estimates for the nine and free go card rort?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has said recent data has confirmed the fare box leakage is contributing to high cost fares in south-east Queensland on the TransLink network (1). Further more, Government budgeting estimates for this leakage are flawed.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"In a recent response to a Question On Notice, the Transport Minister Mr Emerson has said

' ... Foregone revenue associated is not able to be calculated given many of these trips
would not have been taken without this beneficial policy ...' (2)."

"However in a statement dated 10th June 2014 Mr Emerson has said ' The nine and free policy is budgeted to cost $38 million over four years. ' (3)."

Our estimates of the real cost of the nine and free are:

Average 70,000 free trips per week x $7 subsidy +$2 lost fare = $630,000/ week say $50 million per year in direct costs.

"If the authorities cannot calculate foregone revenue then how can they calculate a budgeted cost?"

"The so called ' budgeting ' for the nine and free is apparently based on an assumption of lost fare revenue only. This is nonsense.  The government is saying that the typical ninth journey for a typical commuter on a Friday morning costs $7 public subsidy, the commuter pays an average fare of $2, an overall cost of $9. But they then suggest the journey home on a Friday only costs foregone fare revenue of $2?  Nonsense!"

"This fare box leakage compounds the fare system crisis in south-east Queensland."

"It is time to fix the fares!"

References:

1. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/friday-is-becoming-free-day-on-go-cards-20140613-zs7jl.html

2. http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2014/355-2014.pdf

3. http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2014/6/10/policy-delivers-seven-million-free-trips

4. Go card data confirms the fare failure in south-east Queensland http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10748.msg143062#msg143062

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

19th July 2014

SEQ: Fare affordability crisis needs action today

Greetings,

For those unable to grasp the real issues here is a quick synopsis of the problem.

The free after x journeys in a week results in fare box leakage, which in turn means higher base fare costs and less money overall for the farebox.  It dissuades discretionary trips on public transport because the fares are too expensive for many.  Others simply rort the system and do very well, at the cost of the community at large.

TransLink's data confirms that fare unaffordability has never been worse in SEQ.  Fares in SEQ are around twice to three times the cost of fares in other Australian jurisdictions.  Fares in SEQ are twice the cost of fares for qconnect (regional urban bus public transport).

Why?  The failed fare system is one factor, the other is the high cost, low efficiency network design.  TransLink did attempt to sort that in 2013 (remember the bus review?).  But weak politics and hysterical media saw that kicked into touch.  We still have the failed network. Add the failed fare system it is little wonder people cannot afford to use the public transport as they otherwise could.

Fares elsewhere.  Fare failure SEQ is confirmed.

===========

Twitter

Robert Dow @Robert_Dow

This is what a sensible fare system looks like > http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/tickets-fares/fares ... #qldpol #wapol // @scottemersonmp @SteveMinnikinMP

==========

Robert Dow @Robert_Dow

This is what a sensible fare system looks like - Cairns >http://www.sunbus.com.au/documents/2014Fares_Cairns.pdf ... #qldpol #fnq // @scottemersonmp @SteveMinnikinMP

==========

Robert Dow @Robert_Dow

This is what a sensible fare system looks like - Tasmania > http://www.metrotas.com.au/ticketsfares  #qldpol #taspol // @scottemersonmp @SteveMinnikinMP

==========

Robert Dow @Robert_Dow

This is what a sensible fare system looks like - Canberra myway > http://www.transport.act.gov.au/catch_a_bus/myway/fares ... #qldpol #actpol // @scottemersonmp @SteveMinnikinMP

==========

Robert Dow @Robert_Dow

This is what an affordable fare system looks like Melb myki > http://ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/metropolitan-myki-fares/ ... #qldpol #springst // @scottemersonmp @SteveMinnikinMP

==========

Robert Dow @Robert_Dow

This is what an affordable fare system looks like Sydney Opal > https://www.opal.com.au/en/fare-information/ ... #qldpol #nswpol // @scottemersonmp @SteveMinnikinMP

==========

Robert Dow @Robert_Dow

This is what an unaffordable & botched fare system looks like - SEQ > http://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/fares/current-fares ... #qldpol // @scottemersonmp @SteveMinnikinMP

==========

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

16th July 2014

SEQ: Flawed cost estimates for the nine and free go card rort?

Good Morning,

Yesterday in estimates, more bluff and bluster. In a statement Shadow Transport Minister Ms Trad said this:

" ... Ms Trad said that Mr Emerson refused to detail the true cost of the Newman Government's nine trips and free program.

"In 2013, the Minister was able to detail the cost of the program, but this year he refused to answer any questions or detail actual costs," Ms Trad said.

"This is because Minister Emerson knows his program is grossly underfunded and over-budget. ... "

http://annastaciapalaszczukmp.com.au/2014/07/15/emerson-bungles-budget-numbers/

There are indeed very obvious reasons why the cost was not disclosed.   The fare system is a failure and detailing the costs will just further confirm the charade it is.

This media release confirms the ' double think ' that is exercised to continue the fare con ..

Have a great day!

Best wishes

Robert

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

Media release 16 June 2014

SEQ: Flawed cost estimates for the nine and free go card rort?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has said recent data has confirmed the fare box leakage is contributing to high cost fares in south-east Queensland on the TransLink network (1). Further more, Government budgeting estimates for this leakage are flawed.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"In a recent response to a Question On Notice, the Transport Minister Mr Emerson has said

' ... Foregone revenue associated is not able to be calculated given many of these trips
would not have been taken without this beneficial policy ...' (2)."

"However in a statement dated 10th June 2014 Mr Emerson has said ' The nine and free policy is budgeted to cost $38 million over four years. ' (3)."

Our estimates of the real cost of the nine and free are:

Average 70,000 free trips per week x $7 subsidy +$2 lost fare = $630,000/ week say $50 million per year in direct costs.

"If the authorities cannot calculate foregone revenue then how can they calculate a budgeted cost?"

"The so called ' budgeting ' for the nine and free is apparently based on an assumption of lost fare revenue only. This is nonsense.  The government is saying that the typical ninth journey for a typical commuter on a Friday morning costs $7 public subsidy, the commuter pays an average fare of $2, an overall cost of $9. But they then suggest the journey home on a Friday only costs foregone fare revenue of $2?  Nonsense!"

"This fare box leakage compounds the fare system crisis in south-east Queensland."

"It is time to fix the fares!"

References:

1. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/friday-is-becoming-free-day-on-go-cards-20140613-zs7jl.html

2. http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2014/355-2014.pdf

3. http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2014/6/10/policy-delivers-seven-million-free-trips

4. Go card data confirms the fare failure in south-east Queensland http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10748.msg143062#msg143062

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

20th July 2014

Re: SEQ: Fare affordability crisis needs action today

Greetings,

Stafford by-election confirms what we suggested.  A failure to sort out the obvious failings with the public transport will hit hard.

The failed fare system needs sorting now.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

19th July 2014

SEQ: Fare affordability crisis needs action today

Greetings,

For those unable to grasp the real issues here is a quick synopsis of the problem.

The free after x journeys in a week results in fare box leakage, which in turn means higher base fare costs and less money overall for the farebox.  It dissuades discretionary trips on public transport because the fares are too expensive for many.  Others simply rort the system and do very well, at the cost of the community at large.

TransLink's data confirms that fare unaffordability has never been worse in SEQ.  Fares in SEQ are around twice to three times the cost of fares in other Australian jurisdictions.  Fares in SEQ are twice the cost of fares for qconnect (regional urban bus public transport).

Why?  The failed fare system is one factor, the other is the high cost, low efficiency network design.  TransLink did attempt to sort that in 2013 (remember the bus review?).  But weak politics and hysterical media saw that kicked into touch.  We still have the failed network. Add the failed fare system it is little wonder people cannot afford to use the public transport as they otherwise could.

Fares elsewhere.  Fare failure SEQ is confirmed.

===========

Twitter

Robert Dow @Robert_Dow

This is what a sensible fare system looks like > http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/tickets-fares/fares ... #qldpol #wapol // @scottemersonmp @SteveMinnikinMP

==========

Robert Dow @Robert_Dow

This is what a sensible fare system looks like - Cairns >http://www.sunbus.com.au/documents/2014Fares_Cairns.pdf ... #qldpol #fnq // @scottemersonmp @SteveMinnikinMP

==========

Robert Dow @Robert_Dow

This is what a sensible fare system looks like - Tasmania > http://www.metrotas.com.au/ticketsfares  #qldpol #taspol // @scottemersonmp @SteveMinnikinMP

==========

Robert Dow @Robert_Dow

This is what a sensible fare system looks like - Canberra myway > http://www.transport.act.gov.au/catch_a_bus/myway/fares ... #qldpol #actpol // @scottemersonmp @SteveMinnikinMP

==========

Robert Dow @Robert_Dow

This is what an affordable fare system looks like Melb myki > http://ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/metropolitan-myki-fares/ ... #qldpol #springst // @scottemersonmp @SteveMinnikinMP

==========

Robert Dow @Robert_Dow

This is what an affordable fare system looks like Sydney Opal > https://www.opal.com.au/en/fare-information/ ... #qldpol #nswpol // @scottemersonmp @SteveMinnikinMP

==========

Robert Dow @Robert_Dow

This is what an unaffordable & botched fare system looks like - SEQ > http://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/fares/current-fares ... #qldpol // @scottemersonmp @SteveMinnikinMP

==========

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

16th July 2014

SEQ: Flawed cost estimates for the nine and free go card rort?

Good Morning,

Yesterday in estimates, more bluff and bluster. In a statement Shadow Transport Minister Ms Trad said this:

" ... Ms Trad said that Mr Emerson refused to detail the true cost of the Newman Government's nine trips and free program.

"In 2013, the Minister was able to detail the cost of the program, but this year he refused to answer any questions or detail actual costs," Ms Trad said.

"This is because Minister Emerson knows his program is grossly underfunded and over-budget. ... "

http://annastaciapalaszczukmp.com.au/2014/07/15/emerson-bungles-budget-numbers/

There are indeed very obvious reasons why the cost was not disclosed.   The fare system is a failure and detailing the costs will just further confirm the charade it is.

This media release confirms the ' double think ' that is exercised to continue the fare con ..

Have a great day!

Best wishes

Robert

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

Media release 16 June 2014

SEQ: Flawed cost estimates for the nine and free go card rort?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has said recent data has confirmed the fare box leakage is contributing to high cost fares in south-east Queensland on the TransLink network (1). Further more, Government budgeting estimates for this leakage are flawed.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"In a recent response to a Question On Notice, the Transport Minister Mr Emerson has said

' ... Foregone revenue associated is not able to be calculated given many of these trips
would not have been taken without this beneficial policy ...' (2)."

"However in a statement dated 10th June 2014 Mr Emerson has said ' The nine and free policy is budgeted to cost $38 million over four years. ' (3)."

Our estimates of the real cost of the nine and free are:

Average 70,000 free trips per week x $7 subsidy +$2 lost fare = $630,000/ week say $50 million per year in direct costs.

"If the authorities cannot calculate foregone revenue then how can they calculate a budgeted cost?"

"The so called ' budgeting ' for the nine and free is apparently based on an assumption of lost fare revenue only. This is nonsense.  The government is saying that the typical ninth journey for a typical commuter on a Friday morning costs $7 public subsidy, the commuter pays an average fare of $2, an overall cost of $9. But they then suggest the journey home on a Friday only costs foregone fare revenue of $2?  Nonsense!"

"This fare box leakage compounds the fare system crisis in south-east Queensland."

"It is time to fix the fares!"

References:

1. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/friday-is-becoming-free-day-on-go-cards-20140613-zs7jl.html

2. http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2014/355-2014.pdf

3. http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2014/6/10/policy-delivers-seven-million-free-trips

4. Go card data confirms the fare failure in south-east Queensland http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10748.msg143062#msg143062

Contact:

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

[Simon Lovell]

Our estimates of the real cost of the nine and free are:

Average 70,000 free trips per week x $7 subsidy +$2 lost fare = $630,000/ week say $50 million per year in direct costs.

"If the authorities cannot calculate foregone revenue then how can they calculate a budgeted cost?"

Are you really still saying this?  How embarrassing.

Yes, the subsidy is a cost of the journey but it isn't a cost of the 9 then free policy.

Bye.

[ozbob]

There is a real cost, and to deny it is just more of the same con.

Each journey costs, be it free or paid. 

The point I was really making it is that the Government has said that it costs x and then says it cannot cost it.

Free trips are nudging 100,000 now some weeks I understand.  There is a massive fare box leakage.  Even if you take a simplistic view of lost fare revenue only it is way over their ' budget '.  Free trips still cost to operate.

Add in the loss due to rorting, it is becoming significant.