20 Aug 2008: SEQ: Call for a Go Card best fare guarantee

[ozbob]

Media Release 20 August 2008

SEQ:  Call for a Go Card  best fare guarantee

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters supports the go card for public transport ticketing in south-east Queensland. This is because a high uptake will lead to significant efficiency improvements in loading and timely maximum utilisation of the public transport asset.  But until the negative publicity that has been generated by the flawed fare structures and reliability issues with the go card are overcome, uptake will be slow.

One way of getting everyone on-board is to offer a guarantee.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

?The Oyster card in London, a similar product to our go card has long had a price guarantee (1).  This guarantee simply states ?Our aim is to ensure that Oyster always charges the lowest fare. Where it doesn't, we will refund the difference.? ?

?The go card fare structure should be updated to include daily, weekly and monthly capping, with further incentive options such as off peak and early and late peak travel. Then the go card could be promoted with a similar guarantee. For example ?Go with the Go Card, if it isn?t the cheapest fare option we will refund the difference!? ?

?One of the true congestion busting tools available for the TransLink Transit Authority is to use the go card as a tool for  incentive fares such as  off peak and early and late peak travel, thereby reducing the chronic critical peak overloads on all modes of public transport occurring at the present time. As public transport patronage builds initiatives such as incentive ticketing will be essential.?

?Let?s go!?

References:

1.   http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/oysteronline/2732.aspx

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org