Sent to all outlets:
1st October 2012
Seniors' public transport fares ...Greetings,
Ms. Val French ( President of Older People Speak Out ) was reported at Brisbanetimes commenting:
... “We had a much better system of public transport about ten years ago than we do now,” Ms French said.
“We were able to use our [Commonwealth Seniors] card and it didn't cost much at all – but that's all changed and it's one of the things seniors are feeling really hard-done-by about.
“If you go to Sydney, I can use my ordinary discount card and for $2.50 I can go to Manly, and I can go there on the ferry, and then travel from the ferry up to the railway station and right up to Newcastle if I want – it's all the same price for the day.
“As a result, older people in Sydney have a really good quality of life for the simple reason they know it's not going to cost them the earth to go out with their friends even if they aren't fit to drive.
“That's the way a city should be – Brisbane doesn't take care of their old people.” ...
Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/drive-for-closer-eye-on-older-drivers-20120928-26qgo.html#ixzz27zLs4JaN
Here is a scan of what Seniors have as entitlements on public transport around the country. It is little wonder that Seniors in Queensland feel that the system is worse now than 10 years ago.
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Perth
Seniors SmartRider
WA Seniors are entitled to travel for free on all Transperth services between 9.00am and 3.30pm Monday to Friday, all day Saturday and Sunday, as well as public holidays.
http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/TicketsandFares/SmartRider/BuyingSmartRider/SeniorsSmartRiders.aspx============
Adelaide
Just show your Seniors Card and you’ll travel Free on all Adelaide Metro public transport services:
9.01 am to 3 pm weekdays
All day on weekends and public holidays
http://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/ticketing/seniors-free-travel============
Melbourne
Seniors daily cap of $3.60 for unlimited travel in metropolitan Melbourne (Zones 1 and 2) on a weekday.
Free travel on Saturdays and Sundays in two consecutive zones in metropolitan Melbourne (zones 1 and 2) and on regional town bus services.
http://www.myki.com.au/About-myki/Seniors============
Sydney
Pensioner Excursion
Eligible concession holders can purchase unlimited travel, all day for just $2.50 with our Pensioner Excursion Ticket.
http://www.131500.com.au/tickets/explore/pensioner-excursion============
Hobart
Day Tripper: unlimited urban travel after 9.00am. $2.90
http://www.metrotas.com.au/tickets-and-fares============
Brisbane
Seniors Card +go, senior go card or green pensioner concession go card holders who use go card for two paid journeys in one day travel free for the rest of the day.
http://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/go-card/benefits============
Darwin
Concession: $0.50
A concession fare is available to Health Care Card holders. A concession fare ticket entitles passengers to unlimited bus travel for (3) three hours on any scheduled public bus service, in Darwin and Alice Springs from the time of purchase.
Seniors, Pensioners and Carers
A person presenting any of the following cards is entitled to free travel.
Australian Government Pensioner Concession Card (Centrelink)
NT Government Pensioner & Carer Concession Card
NT Government Seniors Card
Other State or Territory Government Seniors Card.
Please note: (National Seniors cards are NOT accepted)
http://www.transport.nt.gov.au/public/ticket-fares-concessions-and-free-travel#Fare===========
Another compelling reason why a review of the fares in south east Queensland is needed urgently.
Sign our petition here -->
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/fare-review-for-translink-south-east-queensland-now.htmlBest wishes
Robert
Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track
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