3 Nov 2007: Smart card base fare rates should be discounted

[ozbob]

Media Release 3 November 2007

Smart card base fare rates should be discounted to reflect savings.

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport has called for bulk discounts to be applied to all TransLink fares for users of the Smart Card.  These discounts would mean the base fares for Smart card users reflect the savings made in terms of not having to handle cash and ticket sales on a regular basis, and the improvements in efficiency of public transport such as quicker loading on buses that will be achieved if Smart card uptake is maximised.

Robert Dow said:

?Minister Mickel has outlined the Smart Card basic fare structure and frequent traveller discount.  What has not been specifically clarified at this time is the basic bulk fare pricing.?

?Will it be the same as for the present paper ticketing?  If it is uptake of the Smart card will be slow.?

?The reduced ticketing costs in terms of savings made from reduced cash handling and direct ticketing sales, and the gains in public transport efficiency will lead to savings if the uptake is successful.?

?These savings should be reflected in a reduced bulk fare structure for the Smart card fare calculations.  We would suggest that this bulk discount on paper fares be 20%.  This is independent of the frequent traveller discount.  This would help encourage uptake of the Smart card.?

?For example a 3 zone single is presently $3.20 for a single paper ticket.  For Smart card this base fare should be $2.56.?

Contact:

Robert  Dow

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

[ozbob]

Media Release 5 February 2008

SEQ:  Go Card needs a fair fare!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport has called for an urgent review of the Go Card frequent user fare scheme.  It is too expensive for many commuters and there is a lot of community concern and growing anti-Go Card sentiment.

Robert Dow said:

?The Translink Go Card is progressively being rolled out.?

?Commuters are waking up to the significance of the high cost frequent user fare scheme.  RAIL Back On Track has previously highlighted some of the impacts of this inequitable fare structure (1).?

?RAIL Back On Track has received feedback and there are many reports in the media of very dissatisfied Go Card users who are becoming aware of the significant increases in their cost of travel relative to integrated paper ticketing.?

?Calls have been made previously for guarantees that no commuters would be worse off using the Go Card.  Clearly that is not the case and explains the non response to these calls.?

?The Translink Go Card frequent user scheme is a failure.  Base fares on the card should be reduced by 25% to provide an equitable fare and incentive to uptake.  This is typical for other smart card ticketing systems.  They provide real incentives for uptake which just reflect the improvements in the efficiency of public transport that can be achieved by a high uptake of the card.?

?The Go Card is fast becoming a wasted opportunity because of the bizarre fare structure on the card,? said Robert Dow, spokesman for RAIL Back On Track.

References:

1. Go Card users do your sums!  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=443.0

Contact:

Robert  Dow


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