Article: Labor promises free off-peak travel for seniors

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Labor promises free off-peak travel for seniors

Labor promises free off-peak travel for seniors
Tony Moore
August 19, 2011 - 9:56AM

Brisbane's seniors will get free "off peak" travel on Brisbane's public transport if Labor wins the next Brisbane City Council elections, mayoral labor candidate Ray Smith promised this morning.

Mr Smith is unveiling details of his first major promise for the 2012 council elections this morning at Morningside.

It is understood Labor's policy will cost around $5.7 million each year and will only apply outside peak hours.

Brisbane's buses, CityCats and ferries will be included in the scheme, and "initial discussions" have already been held with Translink, the state government's public transport co-ordination organisation.

Mr Smith said his policy would ease the cost of living for seniors.

He said it would be funded by restoring some of the $38 million that has been removed from council's transport budget over the past two budgets.

It would work via the Go Card, Mr Smith said.

"Seniors resident in Brisbane will be able to register their Go Card online and that will allow them to avail themselves of the free public transport,'' he said.

Last week, Brisbane City Council's LNP administration released their seniors policy, which included widening footpaths in suburbs which had a high population of elderly citizens.

It includes a focus on widening opportunity to community activities and to community halls, blending in with Lord mayor Graham Quirk's policy to widen access to the aged and disabled.

Seniors across Queensland already receive public transport discounts using the Seniors Card. However brisbanetimes.com.au understood Mr Smith is promising public transport travel will be free for seniors outside morning and afternoon peak hours.

This means the free travel - under Labor's policy - would run between 9am and 3.30pm on weekdays, then after 7pm.

The free travel for seniors would apply all weekend, under Labor's proposal.

Bulimba resident Fay Taylor, 82, said she caught the bus three to four times a week, travelling to the City, Cannon Hill and Carindale.

More to come ...

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/labor-promises-free-offpeak-travel-for-seniors-20110819-1j0xh.html

[ozbob]

Welcome move, but needs to include rail.  Other states have similar initiatives ..  and why just Brisbane?

[SurfRail]

Welcome move, but needs to include rail.  Other states have similar initiatives ..  and why just Brisbane?

Because Ray Smith is running for Lord Mayor, not Premier - and because we have a council with twice as many constituents as Tasmania's parliament.

I don't know how this will even be possible without TransLink's agreement.

[ozbob]

I know, hence my query ... 

[ozbob]

Quest Brisbane Central --> Off-peak travel free for seniors under Labor mayoral candidate Ray Smith's policy

[SurfRail]

I have no doubt we will have this one day - it is consistent with harmonising Seniors Card entitlements in each jurisdiction.

[ozbob]

Any move in this direction needs to sanctioned by TransLink and the State Government, programming changes on go card alone will be complex if not across all modes, that is needs to include rail. I really cannot see this getting up unless it is all modes, all zones, and extended to public transport in rural centres as well.

None the less welcome in the sense that it directs attention to the fare structure generally.

[STB]

I've just put in this comment through to the Courier Mail comment page. Currently unpublished.

I think he has received some poor advice prior to deciding to make this announcement.  Firstly, TransLink (State Gov) sets the policy on the fare structure, not Brisbane City Council. You change the fare structure to allow what he is announcing and you then have to do it to the entire SEQ public transport network, even if BCC foots that bill.  And anyway, why stop at seniors, why not other concession users?  Seniors only really make a small percentage of the total traveling public.  Students make far more journeys on the public transport network under the 'Concession' banner.

EDIT: Courier Mail has now published the above comment.

[somebody]

I can't see any change to the fare structure for seniors.  They have already introduced the 2 journey fare cap.  Changing that would be admitting that the fare cap wasn't a good idea.

Students are an interesting case.  Quite a lot of service is provide specifically for them, especially at UQ.  I'm in two minds about whether or not they should get free fares.  Spending a good portion of your income on fares is never appealing though.

[ozbob]

Quest Brisbane Central --> Brisbane's Labor lord mayoral candidate Ray Smith proposes free off peak public transport for seniors

[ozbob]

Taking a broader view this 'policy' thrust today might signify the start of the 'silly season' of more grand 'policies' ....

[SurfRail]

Taking a broader view this 'policy' thrust today might signify the start of the 'silly season' of more grand 'policies' ....

I for one am looking forward to catching my double-decker 7 car train to Landsborough, catching a bi-articulated bus to Caloundra and then changing to the Maroochydore standard gauge DMU service.

[mufreight]

Taking a broader view this 'policy' thrust today might signify the start of the 'silly season' of more grand 'policies' ....

I for one am looking forward to catching my double-decker 7 car train to Landsborough, catching a bi-articulated bus to Caloundra and then changing to the Maroochydore standard gauge DMU service.

Methinks that you might be being a tad cynical but just for the ride can I come with you.
As an aside more relevant to the thread, Transperth can provide free off peak public transport for Seniors using their smartcard ticketing so if the sandgropers can do it it should not be any problem for the Smart State except for Translink.

[somebody]

"Smart state" - is that like "BUZ - turn up and go" or "Bomadier Q300 - quiet".

It has to be said because if it was true it wouldn't have to be said <ducks>.

[Derwan]

This is not a very good advertisement for a Labour council...  attempting to introduce a policy that is decided and set by the state government.

It's like suggesting seniors will get free car registration.  It's simply not something the council can decide.

[ozbob]

Mr Smith, Labor Lord Mayoral candidate was just interviewed on this topic on 612 ABC Brisbane.

Not much in detail other than the broad premise that if elected free transport off peak for BCC Bus and River.  He stated that if Seniors don't have a go card he would give them a pass.

It is interesting situation as he was saying it was the difficult cost pressures that citizens were facing was the reason, as well as reducing car congestion the reasons for this policy.  I think this sets up an interesting conflict between Council (ALP) and State (ALP).  Here we have  a labor candidate saying in effect, strongly, something has to be done about fares ...

[#Metro]

Insert Quote
Mr Smith, Labor Lord Mayoral candidate was just interviewed on this topic on 612 ABC Brisbane.

Not much in detail other than the broad premise that if elected free transport off peak for BCC Bus and River.  He stated that if Seniors don't have a go card he would give them a pass.

It is interesting situation as he was saying it was the difficult cost pressures that citizens were facing was the reason, as well as reducing car congestion the reasons for this policy.  I think this sets up an interesting conflict between Council (ALP) and State (ALP).  Here we have  a labor candidate saying in effect, strongly, something has to be done about fares ...

I somewhat disagree with this policy.

1. It WON'T reduce car congestion by any meaningful extent. We are talking OFF-PEAK travel here! By definition, its not that congested as peak...
2. Cost pressures- I'm not so convinced by this one.
3. The money would be better spent on upgrading the BUZ services which benefit a lot more people including seniors, and improves off-peak patronage
4. It would dis-integrate the integrated ticketing system

BCC is NOT TransLink. Sometimes I wonder if BCC thinks they are TransLink...

[Mr X]

If I recall correctly, Labor mayor candidate of 2008 promised a BUZ to Albany Creek or somewheres...?

Another ill-thought out policy with basic basic errors 

[somebody]

If I recall correctly, Labor mayor candidate of 2008 promised a BUZ to Albany Creek or somewheres...?

Another ill-thought out policy with basic basic errors 

You could get as far as Rode Rd without much extra expense by 2/hour 351 & 359.  Wardell St service is a bit of a problem with that though, I feel that there are a few weird routes which currently operate via Kelvin Grove Rd which could be rerouted.  I think the 360 could be one.

[SurfRail]

As far as I am concerned - more power to him if this spurs the State into action so we get it system-wide. 

But this is hardly an integrated transport policy, just election sweeteners.

[O_128]

I'm so sick of political parties trying to buy votes, do us all a favour and give us some real improvements.

[Stillwater]

The danger is we will see a suite of these sorts of announcements at local and state level, none of which is anchored in good policy.  Why make this promise?  The cynic would say that the baby boomers have started to retire and will be our 'seniors'.  There are a bloody lot of them (ie, a bloody lot of voters).  So we could see a list of projects and ill-thought through things that are geared around blocs of votes and not a holistic multi-modal strategy.  Can you imagine what fantastic bus shelters the people of the Ashgrove will get?  Maybe even a proper interchange that works at Enoggera.

Another thought is that befuddled grannies, geared to thinking that off-peak travel is free will stray onto the trains, thinking they will be free too, there to be booked for fare evasion and shipped off to Britain. 

[#Metro]

Free rotten apples for seniors .... free rotten apples... any takers???


1. It is NOT a mobility improvement. Spending the money on service upgrades would be a mobility improvement for seniors and everyone else!
2. I am not convinced that seniors can't afford PT fares- they already get capping AND discount!
3. Cost of living pressures would be better dealt with in other ways like rate rebates, applying to BCC for Go Card subsidy or whatever.

This policy merely discounts rubbish. How about pouring that money into improving high frequency services?

[mufreight]

If I recall correctly, Labor mayor candidate of 2008 promised a BUZ to Albany Creek or somewheres...?

Another ill-thought out policy with basic basic errors 

Can someone inform me as to how Buz bus services relate to a thread about free off peak travel for seniors?

[AnonymouslyBad]

It wouldn't be difficult to implement on Go Card, the system would just need to check the route number.

I'm also sure Translink as an organisation would be quite happy to do the implementation, as BCC would be footing the bill. But TL does answer to the state and I think the state might not be happy with it - BCC has a tendency to try and do Translink's job in a very public fashion, and this could be viewed the same way.

It's the council's money to spend, I guess, but I'm not convinced on this policy:
- Seniors already enjoy a 50% discount, which is really quite a lot. If they can't afford half-price fares, I'd suggest the fares in general are too high.
- Even though it's not a hugely expensive measure... it's still money that could be better spent.

[O_128]

If I recall correctly, Labor mayor candidate of 2008 promised a BUZ to Albany Creek or somewheres...?

Another ill-thought out policy with basic basic errors 

Can someone inform me as to how Buz bus services relate to a thread about free off peak travel for seniors?

Because ramping up the frequency benefits everyone rather than using that money to give seniors free travel.

I agree with anonymously bad if they can't afford it the fares are to high and considering they get capping and half price fares they are pretty well off.  I would rather see capping extended to everyone as It would really help me as I often to 3+ trips a day.

[ozbob]

Bus discussion split from this thread and  moved --> here!

[ozbob]

Yes, as an interim move give everyone the 2 journey cap, like from tomorrow  ...  this would not involve any major system changes.  Capping and the like will take some time apparently.  Ramp up the off peak discount to 30%.

Mrs Ozbob is now an 'Senior'  but don't tell her.  I was really impressed this morning, she explained to me how today she was going to have a nil cost journey home on the train from town to Goodna, as with her travels this morning she will be past the two journeys.