Ministerial Statement: New Year cheer: Free NYE public transport ...

[ozbob]

Transport and Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk
24/12/2011

New Year cheer: Free NYE public transport and no increase to taxi fares

Queenslanders will not be slugged with taxi fare increases in the New Year following a review by the state's Taxi Council, Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk announced today.

And in further good news, south-east Queensland families joining the throng to get home from the city after New Year's Eve fireworks celebrations will travel on public transport for free.

Ms Palaszczuk said the fares would be waived on the south-east's bus, train and CityCat network between 9pm and 1am on December 31/January 1 to help keep revellers moving as quickly as possible.

"We want people to party safe and use public transport so they get home safely," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"Everyone will travel free from 9pm on New Year's Eve through to 1am on New Year's Day.

"We've taken this step because with more than an anticipated 500,000 people trying to get home from the city, we need to keep traffic moving as efficiently as possible.

"That's especially important to families with children who will be flooding into the city for the fireworks.

"In addition to offering free travel, the government is also putting on almost 1000 extra services throughout the evening to get people moving on what is the busiest day of the year for public transport."

Ms Palaszczuk said taxi fares would remain at their current level in the New Year - the first time in 18 months there has not been an increase.

She said every six months a review is undertaken to determine if changes in taxi industry operating costs warrant a change to the maximum fares taxis may charge.

"The Taxi Council's recommendation not to increase taxi fares this New Year is good news for everyone.

"Taxis provide a vital service to the community, especially for the frail or elderly who don't drive, don't have their own transport, or find it difficult to use other forms of public transport."

The Transport and Main Roads Department determines the maximum fares taxis can charge, based on a review of cost increases. Recommendations for changes to taxi fares are made by the Taxi Council of Queensland and reviewed by independent consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers.

On December 31, more than 160 extra bus services will operate in the Brisbane CBD. Extra services will also operate on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, with many services operating after midnight.

Additional trains will operate on the Beenleigh, Gold Coast, Ferny Grove, Ipswich, Richlands, Shorncliffe and Sunshine Coast lines. Extra CityCat and ferry services will also operate at regular intervals throughout the afternoon and evening. Full details are available at www.translink.com.au.

Ms Palaszczuk said TransLink's senior network officers will also be out on force to help customers, joining transit officers, police and security staff to provide an extra security presence on our network.

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

[BrizCommuter]

Or in other words, the public transport system cannot cope with tons of people buying single paper tickets on NYE, so we will make it free to avoid bad publicity.

[somebody]

Or in other words, the public transport system cannot cope with tons of people buying single paper tickets on NYE, so we will make it free to avoid bad publicity.

Better than the carry on in Melbourne recently.

It is good news!

[Fares_Fair]

It is good news, and a sensible move.
I would assume it also gives them the opportunity to adjust the software and test the system for the next round of 15% fare hikes and discounted off peak fares and free travel after 10 trips.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[somebody]

Hang on a minute.  What is with 100, 200, 130 departing from QSBS.  Wouldn't it be better to have these routes being N100, N200, N130 trips? I could go on.

http://translink.com.au/resources/travel-information/service-updates/brisbane-transport-new-years-eve-timetable.pdf

[Mr X]

Are those listed CityGlider times in addition to the current 15min frequency or instead of it? 

[somebody]

Are those listed CityGlider times in addition to the current 15min frequency or instead of it? 

They ARE the current times.

[ozbob]

Or in other words, the public transport system cannot cope with tons of people buying single paper tickets on NYE, so we will make it free to avoid bad publicity.

Part of the basis of the decision for sure .. a repeat of the Ekka ticket meltdown would not be productive for anyone

... And in further good news, south-east Queensland families joining the throng to get home from the city after New Year's Eve fireworks celebrations will travel on public transport for free.

Ms Palaszczuk said the fares would be waived on the south-east's bus, train and CityCat network between 9pm and 1am on December 31/January 1 to help keep revellers moving as quickly as possible ....

The actual timing suggests this as well.  Melbourne has free travel after 6pm NYE, Brisbane after 9pm and till 1am  (first firework show is 8.30pm, first of wave of punters then around 9pm or so).  Melbourne all night until first normal scheduled morning services.
http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/news/news-promotions/free-public-transport-on-christmas-day-and-after-6pm-on-new-year-s-eve  This is more inline with what should be on offer in Brisbane.  

[ozbob]

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1323913217

Extra services for New Year's Eve

Free travel across the network

To help everyone have a safe and happy New Year, travel across the whole TransLink network will be free between 9pm on New Year's Eve (31 December) until 1am New Year's Day 2012.

This free travel also applies to all NightLink services, including the extra services between 1am and 5.30am.

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

Very confusing, why not just do what they do in Melbourne.  Travel is free until the first normal morning scheduled service.

Brisbane, they want the punters to buy single paper tickets going in, but going home they know the system cannot cope.

[ozbob]

This free travel also applies to all NightLink services, including the extra services between 1am and 5.30am.

So does that mean all the extra rail and bus services tickets not needed?  Or just the extra NightLink services??  Vague ...  I have asked for clarification.

[HappyTrainGuy]

I'd love to take full advantage of the free travel yet the local bus stops running after 7-8pm on a saturday timetable   :bi

Thanks again translink   

[ozbob]

Advice received from TransLink

" free travel is between 9pm and 1am "

The statement " This free travel also applies to all NightLink services, including the extra services between 1am and 5.30am.  " has been removed from the website at http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1323913217

So there is only a 9pm to 1am window ...

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk announces free fares on New Year's Eve between 9pm and 1am in southeast Queensland

[somebody]

This seems guaranteed to cause confusion and possibly agro.  Not a good thing when combined with drunk people.

[O_128]

This seems guaranteed to cause confusion and possibly agro.  Not a good thing when combined with drunk people.

Agreed, who leaves at 9pm either? Free travel from 6pm to last service is a better option.

[Otto]

From my own experience, the crowds who elect to leave straight after the fireworks won't be cleared by 1 am..

[ozbob]

From my own experience, the crowds who elect to leave straight after the fireworks won't be cleared by 1 am..

The sheer incompetence is mind boggling Otto ...

[ozbob]

This seems guaranteed to cause confusion and possibly agro.  Not a good thing when combined with drunk people.

Yes, very poor effort by Government and TransLink IMHO.

[ozbob]

Media release 27 December 2011

SEQ: Call to extend the hours of the 'free' public transport New Years Eve

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has welcomed the free public transport initiative on New Years Eve, but has called for the 4 hour window to be extended.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The Minister for Transport has announced that public transport will be free from 9pm to 1am on New Years Eve (1,2).  This is not long enough to encourage maximum use of public transport and in so doing help reduce congestion, risks of road crashes and improve the night out for all."

"People heading into Brisbane for the first firework show at 8.30pm will still need tickets.  People who choose to leave immediately after the midnight celebrations will not be cleared by 1am. This is going to cause dangerous crowding,  anger and confusion. As was demonstrated during the 2011 Brisbane Exhibition the ticketing system cannot cope with large numbers of passengers attempting to buy single paper tickets. There is no way the passenger loads will be cleared by 1am."

"Clearly, the sensible thing to do is follow the lead of Melbourne (3).  Melbourne has free public transport from 6pm New Years Eve until the first normal scheduled services on New Years Day. A 12 hour window  This allows an orderly movement of large number of citizens to and from the celebrations."

"We call on the Minister for Transport and TransLink to urgently re-think the free public transport plans for New Years Eve. The 4 hour window is not long enough to ensure the safe movement of the public."

References:

1.  http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=78318

2.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7339.0

3.  http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/news/news-promotions/free-public-transport-on-christmas-day-and-after-6pm-on-new-year-s-eve

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert_Dow Robert Dow
@TheQldPremier @AnnastaciaMP @AndrewFraserMP @TransLinkSEQ Urgent action needed --> http://t.co/MNYBLARk
1 hour ago

[ozbob]

The police ordered the authorities to open up the gates at the Ekka as the system went in to meltdown, such were the safety concerns.

Unless there is some definitive action to extend the hours, same thing is going to happen.  Plus there is the added ingredient of ' celebration effects ' .. don't think it will be very pretty at all as it stands ...

[ozbob]

Advice received from TransLink

" free travel is between 9pm and 1am "

The statement " This free travel also applies to all NightLink services, including the extra services between 1am and 5.30am.  " has been removed from the website at http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1323913217

So there is only a 9pm to 1am window ...

This suggests some confusion even within TransLink.   Where is the Opposition?

[Fridge]

They won't have that problem on the Sunshine Coast because the BUSES ARE FREE ANYWAY!!!

[Fares_Fair]

They won't have that problem on the Sunshine Coast because the BUSES ARE FREE ANYWAY!!!

... and paid for by the Regional Council's transport levy.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail click here!

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk announces free fares on New Year's Eve between 9pm and 1am in southeast Queensland

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk announces free fares on New Year's Eve between 9pm and 1am in southeast Queensland

    by: Robyn Ironside
    From: The Courier-Mail
    December 26, 2011 12:00AM

A four-hour window in which people can use public transport for free on New Year's Eve needs to be extended to avoid "congestion, anger and confusion" according to a commuter group.

Robert Dow from Rail Back on Track said while he welcomed the free public transport initiative, 9pm to 1am was not long enough to encourage maximum use of trains, buses and ferries.

He urged Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk to follow Melbourne's lead and make public transport free from 6pm to the first normal scheduled service on New Year's Day.

"People heading into Brisbane for the first fireworks show at 8.30pm will still need tickets," said Mr Dow.

"People who choose to leave immediately after the midnight celebrations will not be cleared by 1am. This is going to cause dangerous crowding, anger and confusion when they're queueing to buy return tickets."

Mr Dow said the State Government need look no further than this year's Brisbane Ekka to be reminded that the ticketing system cannot cope with large numbers of passengers attempting to buy single paper tickets.

"There is no way the passenger loads will be cleared by 1am," he said.

But Ms Palaszczuk said almost 1000 extra services had been put on throughout the evening to get people moving "on what is the busiest day of the year for public transport".

"We want people to party safe and use public transport so they get home safely," Ms Palaszczuk said.

More than 160 extra bus services will operate in the Brisbane CBD and extra services will also operate on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, with many of those running after midnight.

Additional trains will operate on the Beenleigh, Gold Coast, Ferny Grove, Ipswich, Richlands, Shorncliffe and Sunshine Coast lines. Extra CityCat and ferry services will also operate at regular intervals throughout the afternoon and evening.

The minister also said taxi fares would remain at their current level in the New Year adding it was "the first time in 18-months there had not been an increase".

But passengers were last stung by a fare hike on July 30 with the rate per kilometre rising from $1.95 to $2.06.

Earlier, The Courier-Mail reported that revellers would be offered four hours of free travel and almost 1000 extra public transport services this New Year's Eve.

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk yesterday announced fares would be waived on the southeast's bus, train and CityCat network between 9pm and 1am.

More than 160 extra bus services will also operate in Brisbane's CBD, with extra services also scheduled for the Gold and Sunshine coasts. Many will operate after midnight.

Additional trains will service the Beenleigh, Gold Coast, Ferny Grove, Ipswich, Richlands, Shorncliffe and Sunshine Coast lines and extra CityCat and ferry services are planned.

Meanwhile, taxi fares will remain stable in the new year, after a six-monthly review by the state's Taxi Council.

[#Metro]

No way it is going to be cleared. Busway capacity is only 9000 pphd at Cultural Centre, remember?

[ozbob]

No way it is going to be cleared. Busway capacity is only 9000 pphd at Cultural Centre, remember?

Indeed, and that is with 'sober, well practised pax' .... lol

They are in 'the state of denial' TT ...

[Otto]

Pax can be cleared quite quickly from the CC bus station as there will be extra ( route dedicated ) loading bays set up on the Vic bridge.. The 'sober' patrons should find it easy ..
However, SouthBank Station is quite restricted and can only handle so many people at one time. Queues of patrons will form outside the station waiting to gain access to the platform for outbound services.

[ozbob]

From my own experience, the crowds who elect to leave straight after the fireworks won't be cleared by 1 am..

Indeed ...

[#Metro]

Pax can be cleared quite quickly from the CC bus station as there will be extra ( route dedicated ) loading bays set up on the Vic bridge.. The 'sober' patrons should find it easy ..

So we don't need to have a bus tunnel, why can't we do this to increase CC bus capacity?

[HappyTrainGuy]

Because its not a tunnel. WE NEED MORE TUNNELS! 

[ozbob]

Hey, Otto, after 1am the pax will want to buy tickets ... LOL

I can imagine that NOT happening ...  so why don't they just do the right thing and have free travel 6pm to 6am.  It is a bit like the ticketing on the rail replacement buses.  

They just close their eyes and pretend everything is 'world class' ....

So simple ...

[Otto]

If I was working after 1am, I'm sure my ticketing system would be 'Faulty' as it has been in previous years .. LOL !!

[ozbob]

Check out this Otto ...

Northern Territory

http://www.nt.gov.au/transport/public/

New Year's Eve Starlight Special - Free Buses from 7pm to 7am

Starlight Special

The Territory Government is providing free buses for the public to safely attend New Year's Eve celebrations. Buses will depart Darwin (Mitchell Street), Casuarina and Palmerston from 7pm on New Year's Eve until 7am on New Year's Day.

[ozbob]

Transport for London

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/13658.aspx

New Year

On New Year's Eve you can travel free between 23:45 and 04:30 on bus, Tube, tram and DLR services. Free travel will also apply on London Overground trains running after 23:45.

[ozbob]

Adelaide

http://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/service-information/new-years-eve-2011-free-public-transport-on-new-years-eve

Free bus, train, tram midnight to dawn ...

[Otto]

Not a bad effort for Darwin... Free buses every half hour till 7am..  
Brisbane till 1am  

Here is a population chart... Huge difference between Darwin and Brisbane.

[ozbob]

Vancouver, free public transport commences at 5pm New Years Eve and continues overnight

--> http://www.translink.ca/en/Schedules-and-Maps/Holiday-Service.aspx

[Mr X]

Quite frankly if I am out on NYE and I have to get a later bus due to overcrowding, I'd be mighty p%ssed  if I had to pay while others got home for free simply because I didn't get to the bus quick enough. Expect some unhappy pax on New Year's Day, ranting on the CM/Mx, especially those who had to fork out the cash for a paper ticket  

[O_128]

Its a typical QLD gov screw up. Free public transport during the exact window where no one will be travelling.