19 Mar 2010: SEQ: Go card cap it!

[ozbob]

Media Release 19 March 2010

SEQ:  Go card  cap it!

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 said many disadvantaged groups are reeling from the recent public transport fare price rises.  This will only get worse in view of the projected 15% per annum increases for the next four years (1).  There is an urgent need for a daily fare cap on the go card for all users.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The failure to put a daily fare cap on the go card is causing hardship for many public transport users.  How much worse this will be in view of the 15% per annum fare increases over the next 4 years? (1)"

"Seniors, tertiary students, disability pensioners and other pensioners, job seekers all need to be able to access affordable public transport.  Other places such as London, Melbourne and Perth have daily caps on their smart cards, why not the go card? (2,3,4)"

"We back the Queensland Council of Social Services in their call for concession public transport travel to be extended to recipients of New Start allowance (5).  These folk are struggling and need to be able to travel in an affordable and equitable manner in their quest for employment."

"The majority of  working commuters do two daily journeys, 5 times as week and the introduction of a fare cap will not adversely affect the fare box.  The cap will though particularly assist disadvantaged groups who need to make multiple daily journeys in the volunteer work, in their search for employment, in their travels for study, and travel for medical appointments."

"A daily fare cap algorithm could simply be based on the highest zone journey undertaken in a 24 hour period by two plus a daily loading of say 10%.  The introduction of a daily fare cap on the go card would also encourage more public transport travel, which in turn will lead to significant economic benefit in terms of reduced congestion, lessened environmental impacts and a reduction in road trauma.  Road trauma is a massive cost to our society."

"The projected go card fare structure needs urgent improvement. It is now time for a daily fare cap on the go card for all users."

References:

1. http://www.translink.com.au/fares2011-14.php

2. http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/oysteronline/9261.aspx

3. http://www.myki.com.au/Fares/default.aspx

4. http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/TicketsandFares/SmartRider/SmartRiderFaresandRules/tabid/103/Default.aspx

5. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/fears-toll-increase-will-force-people-out-of-work-20100318-qhdk.html

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

15th April 2010

Greetings,

Interesting article in the Courier Mail yesterday --> http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/poor-sighted-seniors-struggling-to-use-go-card-screens/story-e6freon6-1225853391946

Best wishes
Robert

================================================================

Media Release 19 March 2010 Re-released 15th April 2010

SEQ:  Go card  cap it!

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 said many disadvantaged groups are reeling from the recent public transport fare price rises.  This will only get worse in view of the projected 15% per annum increases for the next four years (1).  There is an urgent need for a daily fare cap on the go card for all users.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The failure to put a daily fare cap on the go card is causing hardship for many public transport users.  How much worse this will be in view of the 15% per annum fare increases over the next 4 years? (1)"

"Seniors, tertiary students, disability pensioners and other pensioners, job seekers all need to be able to access affordable public transport.  Other places such as London, Melbourne and Perth have daily caps on their smart cards, why not the go card? (2,3,4)"

"We back the Queensland Council of Social Services in their call for concession public transport travel to be extended to recipients of New Start allowance (5).  These folk are struggling and need to be able to travel in an affordable and equitable manner in their quest for employment."

"The majority of  working commuters do two daily journeys, 5 times as week and the introduction of a fare cap will not adversely affect the fare box.  The cap will though particularly assist disadvantaged groups who need to make multiple daily journeys in the volunteer work, in their search for employment, in their travels for study, and travel for medical appointments."

"A daily fare cap algorithm could simply be based on the highest zone journey undertaken in a 24 hour period by two plus a daily loading of say 10%.  The introduction of a daily fare cap on the go card would also encourage more public transport travel, which in turn will lead to significant economic benefit in terms of reduced congestion, lessened environmental impacts and a reduction in road trauma.  Road trauma is a massive cost to our society."

"The projected go card fare structure needs urgent improvement. It is now time for a daily fare cap on the go card for all users."

References:

1. http://www.translink.com.au/fares2011-14.php

2. http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/oysteronline/9261.aspx

3. http://www.myki.com.au/Fares/default.aspx

4. http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/TicketsandFares/SmartRider/SmartRiderFaresandRules/tabid/103/Default.aspx

5. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/fears-toll-increase-will-force-people-out-of-work-20100318-qhdk.html

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org