Free Go Cards with $10 Credit?

[brismike]

I'm not sure if there is a topic on this one already. But I remember that when the massive fare increases were announced last year Translink said they would be giving away 40,000 (or was it 400,000) go cards with $10 credit on them. Whatever happened to this? I remember at the time thinking .. oh great I'll get one for the wife. But I have never heard anything else about them? Did anyone ever get one?

[ozbob]

Some go cards have been distributed to Seniors and Students.  The bulk roll out has not happened.  400,000 was the promised figure ( http://www.translink.com.au/farerestructure.php )

[brismike]

So do they think we have forgotton about it? . . They made a big hoo ha about it when it was first announced. Typical bulldust and spin of the highest order as far as i'm concerned. It is now nearly 6 months later and we have absolutly nothing for the normal Commuter. 

[#Metro]

Another phantom announcement, along with extra phantom rail and phantom ferry.  

[ozbob]

The smart thing to do would have been distribute the cards early January when the new fares started to bite.  Most people have a go card now .. there are many aspects of the overall go card roll out that have been perplexing.  The lack of equipment, particularly AVVMs at bus stations, the failure to sort out the interface usability issues, the failure to distribute the promised go cards.

It was comical again this morning at Roma St, go card ads blaring up above as the masses queued to touch off at the gates that don't have time to close.  If they did, the queues would stretch through to platform 10.  The go gate numbers and positioning at Roma St is just another factor that demonstrates the botched roll out.

Belatedly more equipment is being placed, the gates at Roma St will be sorted.  The promised fare enhancements are just that, promises. It is little wonder that folks are very sceptical ...  a lot of political damage has been done.  

[ozbob]

http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=66877

Mr Lucas said the State Government would next year:

·issue 400,000 free go cards loaded with $10 credit upon registration to encourage take-up;

Note the credit $10 was only on registration.

Waiting this long defeats the purpose a bit.  Maybe just give $10 to all who are registered by a certain date.  That might be the go!

[#Metro]

Maybe just give $10 to all who are registered by a certain date.  That might be the go!

This might be a better idea actually Ozbob! The people have to get the card first, and then the computer on the admin end simply adds $10 bonus. Much easier than carting around hundreds of boxes of plastic cards and giving them to people who might already have one or don't really want one.

IIRC GoCards have no value unless activated. So you could still hand out blank GoCards and have them activated elsewhere. 

[ozbob]

Media Release 15 May 2010

SEQ:  400,000 free go cards, promised but not delivered yet ...

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 that the promised distribution of 400,000 free go cards with a bonus $10 on registration is now too late.  Continue the distribution of go cards with bonus dollars to disadvantaged groups such as Seniors and other concession card holders, but the wider general free distribution perhaps should be converted to a bonus $10 to all go card users registered on the 1st July 2010.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Last October a commitment by the Minister for Transport and the Deputy Premier was made to 'issue 400,000 free go cards loaded with $10 credit upon registration to encourage take-up' (1).   It is now too late for most public transport commuters as they have already been forced to take up the go card due to the high fare costs of paper tickets relative to go card fares."

"It would be more efficient to reward the 'go card pioneers' with the bonus $10 credit.  As the original commitment was for a bonus $10 on registration, it would be easy to credit go card registered users with the $10 at a specific date.  For example 1st July could be the target date.  This would further encourage uptake and importantly registration of the go cards."

"There are advantages in registering go cards as it provides a protection for monies should the card be lost and capability if desired to monitor go card history online.  Rather than waste monies on a now unnecessary general free go card distribution, which will just lead to many having multiple cards, just credit registered users with the bonus. This is smart!"

References:

1. http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=66877

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org