2 Mar 2012: SEQ: Public transport fare price sensitivity

[ozbob]

Media release 2 March 2012

SEQ: Public transport fare price sensitivity

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 said the strong response to the free travel day on the 29th February 2012 has highlighted community concerns with public transport fare prices (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Public transport is subsidised, but so are other transport modes, particularly car transport and at a higher level than public transport.  A balance between optimum public transport use and fare cost must be found.  Broad discussion in the community and media this week has again suggested that the present fare prices are too high. We must find the right balance to drive maximum public transport use around the clock to ensure the broader economic benefits of reduced congestion, lessened environmental impacts and lowered road trauma costs are achieved.  The 2011 RAIL Back On Track Public transport Passenger Survey also confirmed this price sensitivity (2). "

"Discussion on making public transport fare free permanently has also been a hot topic, but it is not realistically achievable.  The system would not cope and funding of services would become more problematic (3)."

"There is not a single big city public system with overall free fares, because nowhere has the financial resources to cope with the loss of fare revenue, and the resulting overload in usage that free public transport would bring about."

"Many have raised the high flag-fall component of the present fare price table.  Simply removing a fixed quantum, say $1.50 from all adult go card fares, other fares proportionally and increasing the off peak discount to 40% would correctly reposition the relative zone fare costs.  There is plenty of capacity on the public transport out of peak and improvements as outlined, together with service frequency increases would transform the network and in fact improve the fare box."

"As was evidenced this week, if the price is right, public transport patronage will soar.  A win for us all."

References:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7766.0

2. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7144.0

3. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7776.0

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Discussion thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7776.0