27 Aug 2008: SEQ: Go Card - overcome price resistance ...

[ozbob]

Media Release 27 August 2008

SEQ:  Go Card - overcome price resistance, help manage congestion,  add off peak and incentive fares!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport users has called on the TransLink Transit Authority to add off peak fares and early and late peak discounts to the new fare structure for the go card. Off peak and incentive fares will encourage use of public transport when there is plenty of capacity and in turn help ease congestion on struggling peak public transport services.  The Minister for Transport Mr Mickel said in parliament yesterday that the go card will provide accurate load data and assist in congestion management on the QR Citytrain network.  The go card will if it is actually used by the commuters.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The present paper ticketing on the TransLink network has an off peak option.  This encourages travel at less congested times and is helpful to retired pensioners, parents and others who can take trips during the off peak periods.  It encourages citizens to use public transport and reduce environmental impacts. It encourages people to travel outside peak times."

"Presently off peak ticketing is available for unlimited travel between 9am and 3.30pm and after 7pm on weekdays, and all day on weekends and gazetted public holidays (1)."

"The go card provides a simple means of providing an off peak fare structure. All journeys that commence after 9am  that is, touch on after 9am Monday to Friday,  and touch on before 3.30pm and touch on after 7pm could be given a flat off peak discount of 10%."

"It would be a simple matter to give all journeys on weekends and gazetted public holidays an off peak discount too.  This is only replicating present ticketing practices."
"Additionally to drive uptake of the go card early and late discounts should also be introduced. For example, for a new journey touch on before 6am, or after 7pm discount fares.

"The addition of off peak and incentive fares to the go card will go a long way in overcoming public transport commuter price resistance to the go card.  The  fare structure which was introduced on 4th August was a marked improvement on the initial fare structure. However, much community resistance has developed to the go card due to the initial poor fare structure and consequent adverse publicity."

"It makes a lot of sense to add off peak and incentive fares to the go card. It would be a big winner!"

References:

1.  http://www.translink.com.au/qt/translin.nsf/index/ti_tickets

Contact:
Robert Dow
Administration