5 Apr 2008: SEQ - Is the Go card going under?

[ozbob]

Media Release 5 April 2008

SEQ:  Is the Go card going under?

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 highlighted problems with the go card roll out and has suggested steps to bring it back on track.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

?I have now been using the go card since February 10th (1)?

?Putting the inequitable fare structure relative to the present integrated paper ticketing to one side,  the go card is very convenient and is working well on rail.?

?When I have used the Go card on buses I have had problems. RAIL Back On Track has also received constant feedback concerning problems from users using the Go card on buses, and to a lesser extent river ferries.?

?The problems are mainly with the card readers on buses and river craft not working properly, and users getting a constant stream of touch penalties.  It is clear that Translink is being inundated with refund requests.?

?Also of great concern is that some go card equipment is already showing signs of deterioration. It appears that some of the equipment on river craft and outdoor locations is not fit for purpose (2)?

?There is serious community concern with the go card from the point of view of the present fare structure which is more expensive for many compared to paper tickets, and the fact that often it simply does not work.?

?The end result is that many commuters are abandoning using the go card and going back to paper tickets.?

?The tax payer has paid over $100 million dollars for this system.  Working properly the smart card ticketing system would be a great boon to the efficiency of our public transport and would lead to cost savings.?

?Answers are needed.  How many cards are actually in active use relative to total number issued?  How many refunds have been processed?  More importantly, how many penalties have not been refunded?"

?It is clear that many go card users are not aware that they are copping penalties.?

?RAIL Back On Track calls for a delay in the touch penalty increase scheduled for July.  The present penalty is $3 for bus, $5 for rail (half for concession). It will increase to $5 for bus and $10 for rail in July.  Until the system is working properly the increase in the penalties should be deferred, at the least until January 2009.?

?The base fares for the go card should be immediately reduced by 25%.  This would then bring the costs of travel with the go card for the true majority of commuters in line with present paper ticketing costs. This would then give time for further realistic fare options such as daily, weekly and monthly caps, and off peak and early bird travel incentives to be developed for the go card.?

?An audit of all go card equipment should be conducted and that equipment which is not fit for purpose identified and replaced at contractor cost with equipment that is.?

?An expensive marketing campaign for a product that is still very problematical is more wasted tax payer funds.  By reducing the base fares an expensive marketing campaign will not be needed. Commuters will be more than happy to use and suffer the problems because they are getting a fare fair deal!?

?Fix it and then sell it!?

Reference:

1.  My Go Card trial http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=486.0
2.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=135.msg2913#msg2913

Contact:

Robert  Dow

Administration
admin@backontrack.org RAIL Back On Track

[ozbob]

Radio 612 ABC Brisbane followed up with an opportunity for a brief interview on the Spencer Howson Breakfast show this morning (7th April),  and I was able to raise some of the concerns above.

Thanks for the ongoing support for matters of concern to the public transport community and the wider community generally to be raised 612!

Cheers
Ozbob

[ozbob]

From Courier Mail 8 April 2008 page 2  not online

Off the rails - from tickets to timetables



Thanks to the Courier Mail for following up on the Go card.