18 Nov 2008: SEQ: Go card new fare option survey strongly supported!

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Media Release 18 November 2008

SEQ:  Go card new fare option survey strongly supported!

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 has welcomed the survey on some possible new fare structures for the Go card.  Public transport commuters everywhere have consistently highlighted the need for fair and equitable fares for all and cost incentives to drive Go card up take (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The Go card is generally very convenient and promises much for the improved efficiency of public transport on the TransLink network if there is a high uptake."

"The go card education and awareness campaign announced last weekend by Minister Mickel is very welcome. We have previously suggested that such a campaign is needed."

"The fare options canvassed in the survey (2) will be a huge leap forward for the Go card if implemented."

"Our only concerns are that the weekly/monthly caps may not be offered as concession fares.  This could be very discriminatory to full time students and for example, retired pensioners and others who do volunteer work and use public transport daily, and the need for some consideration be given to off peak discounts on all plans to help ease peak congestion."

"RAIL Back On Track would also like to see the opportunity given to all public transport commuters to comment on the various new Go card fare options."

"We would however like to congratulate the TransLink Transit Authority for moving forward with improved fare structures for the Go card."

"It is time to Go!"

References:

1.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=429.0

2.  The fare options in the survey summarised are:

a.  Pre-pay saver.  Buy travel in $15 blocks of travel.  All trips 20% discount, credit can be used for any journey and does not expire.  It doesn't say explicitly but we assume concessions fares would be available on this fare.

b.  Any zone weekly. You nominate the number of zones you wish to take your first ten trips, travel outside your nominated zones will have an excess fare.  Once you have made ten trips in the week using the go card further travel in the remainder of the week is free without restriction across all zones 1 to 23.  Off peak and concessions not available.

c.  Any zone capped value plans.  This one you nominate the number of zones you intend to travel in for the week or month.  However the number of journeys you make during the week or month is capped to the value of the plan.  For a zone 3 you pay$27 and you get $41 travel worth for example.  The plan expires at the end of the week/month whether the money is used or not.  Travel outside your nominated zones would be additional. No off peak or concession.

d.  Nominated zones unlimited travel.  This option nominate your normal zones for the week/month.  The number of journeys in the zones nominated is unlimited.  End of each week/month purchase another plan as required.  Travel outside the nominated zones not included and would be paid separately.  No off peak or concession.

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org