RAIL - Back On Track Forum

Urban bus services - qconnect

>> https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/public/transport/timetables/qconnect

New fares for 2020

https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/public/transport/timetables/qconnect/new-fares-for-2020

"On Monday 6 January 2020 fares for public transport services across Queensland will increase by 1.9%.

This increase is in line with the applicable Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate*.

*ABS data set 6401.0 - Consumer Price Index, Australia, Sep 2019. ...

Government Statement

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/91091

Fares freeze on board for 2021

2nd December 2020

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Ticket prices on Queensland public transport services will be frozen in 2021.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the move gives commuters certainty on costs for the year ahead as the state navigates its economic recovery.

"We're backing commuters with this decision," the Premier said.

"We need to encourage Queenslanders back on to public transport.

"This has been a year like no other.

"Thanks to our continued strong health response, we are seeing positive signs for our community and our economy.

"Every little bit back into the pockets of commuters supports Queenslanders, which in turn supports the state's economy."

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said, after two years of record public transport patronage in Queensland, patronage took a major hit this year.

"Throughout the pandemic, we kept essential public transport services running, increased cleaning and added more services to support social distancing," the Minister said.

"Commuters are slowly returning to the network, and we will keep planning for a future when more people than ever use public transport in our fast-growing region."

The Palaszczuk Government will keep building major public transport projects like Cross River Rail, Gold Coast Light Rail and upgrades to the Sunshine Coast line.

"These projects are creating jobs now and will support growing communities for decades to come," he said.

"We are also continuing to back commuters with almost $500 million being invested to upgrade train stations across south east Queensland and make them more accessible, and $241 million to improve level crossings at Beams Road, Boundary Road and at Lindum Station.

"We are also continuing to trial smart ticketing technology for commuters too.

"Smart ticketing is a $371 million investment by the Palaszczuk Government that will, for the first time in this state, give every Queensland commuter access to the same system and a choice of multiple options on how they pay to travel, whether you live in Cairns or Coolangatta."

Mr Bailey said the fare freeze was a win for public transport users, who were still benefitting from Fairer Fares.

"Fairer Fares has saved commuters more than $250 million since December 2016," Mr Bailey said.

A freeze on ticket prices through 2021 means we will keep putting commuters first and encourage people to continue catching public transport."

The freeze on ticket prices in 2021 applies to all TransLink and QConnect public transport services across Queensland.

ENDS

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1334301013608525825

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1454972610240942083

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/94229

Palaszczuk Government extends public transport fare freeze
8th January 2022

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

The Palaszczuk Government has paused its annual CPI public transport fare increase to support Queenslanders during a challenging stage of the pandemic.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said it was in recognition of the emergence of the Omicron COVID-19 strain in the Queensland community.

"Public transport fares are adjusted each January in line with the consumer price index," Mr Bailey said.

"In January 2021 the Government implemented a fare freeze in recognition of the economic impact COVID was having on the life of Queenslanders.

"We did this coupled with additional bus and train services in South Eastern Queensland so that public transport passengers would know there were more seats available to allow for social distancing.

"These measures and Queensland's world leading health response have minimised the reduction in public transportation use here compared to other states.

"The emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and efforts of Queenslanders to work from home to slow the spread of virus have had a substantial impact on public transportation use.

"In recognition of this, the scheduled fare increase will be implemented in July 2022 instead, to support Queenslanders through this difficult time.

"A delay in implementing the fare increase will support Queenslanders still using public transport services.

"So far, Queensland Rail and our bus and ferry service partners have continued to deliver public transport services with minimal disruptions.

"Queensland Rail and TransLink are closely monitoring the impact of COVID transmission on bus, train and ferry crew availability and is considering a range of contingency measures.

"This may include temporarily scaling back services, as is already occurring in New South Wales and on other public transport systems worldwide."

ENDS

https://twitter.com/Translink_QLD/status/1537652329750507521

No update to cairns?? Surely cairns will get a similar treatment in due time. It has like 11 different fare zones atm.

Quote from: RowBro on June 17, 2022, 21:03:27 PMNo update to cairns?? Surely cairns will get a similar treatment in due time. It has like 11 different fare zones atm.

It will be done in due course RowBro.  They are staging the change to the new fare zones ..

https://translink.com.au/about-translink/brand

" ... Is your region not listed yet? Don't worry, just check back soon, we'll be progressively rolling these changes across Queensland. ... "

Facebook ...

^

This is likely to lead to better bus stop signage and shelters as well as new onboard next stop information.

Cairns details here...
https://translink.com.au/plan-your-journey/maps#bod1655173611449

Quote from: RowBro on June 17, 2022, 21:03:27 PMNo update to cairns?? Surely cairns will get a similar treatment in due time. It has like 11 different fare zones atm.

I have just got off the phone to TransLink about this regional rollout and new fare zones and prices.
After initially telling me that Go cards could be used as of Monday 4 July, I queried this as there is no mention of Go card in any of the information released to date.
Subsequently came back to me and confirmed that these zones and prices are for paper tickets only and there is no time-frame for Go card availability at this time.

Yo.  First step is to set up the new fare zones/structures. 

This will further facilitate the programming for the smart ticketing system.

When the  bus readers are available and installed I guess they then can start to bring in the smart payment options.

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/95431

Regional fare reform
17 June 2022

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

The standardisation of fares and zones across all regional areas will allow the implementation of the Palaszczuk Government's Smart Ticketing system and deliver greater convenience across the regions.

Changes to public transport fares will be rolled out progressively across 16 urban bus networks from July, bringing a more consistent fare structure to Queensland.

The changes will mean the majority of urban regional transport customers will pay less or the same.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the change followed a review of fares and zones across regional Queensland.

"Right now, fares and zones differ across all regional areas and we want to introduce a more equitable zone structure across regional Queensland – similar to what is in place in South East Queensland," Mr Bailey said.

"Once the consistent fare and zone structure has been introduced to these regional areas, the progressive rollout of Smart Ticketing will be able to begin.

"Right now, the Palaszczuk Government is delivering a new Smart Ticketing system across the state, which will for the first time allow Queenslanders to use their credit, debit and go card or smart device to pay for public transport.

"To ensure this integrates with the current system, we're installing new readers across our train, bus and ferry fleet state-wide.

"This will make it easier for people right around Queensland, from the Coast to the Cape, to understand transport fares and access public transport."

Translink Deputy Director-General Sally Stannard said the move would also see current qconnect bus networks become Translink-branded.
"Operating under the Translink brand will bring a number of benefits which will be seen by customers, including access to integrated journey planning and Translink's 24/7 contact centre (13 12 30)," Ms Stannard said

"The journey planner, MyTranslink app, and contact centre are used extensively by SEQ customers, and I am pleased our regional customers will be able to access these tools."

Mr Bailey said a single zone journey will cost $2.40 (adult) and $1.20 (concession) across all of Queensland and increases of $0.60 (adult) and $0.30 (concession) would apply for each extra zone travelled.

"The changes will see the majority of regional urban bus trips paying less or the same," he said.

"There's nothing better than a cheaper trip on public transport at a time when it's needed most.

"This is great news for passengers across the state who will now have a consistent fare structure wherever they live.

"School transport fares will also be aligned with the new fare and zone structures and I encourage every parent to check if the cost of bus travel to their child's school will be changing."

Mr Bailey said the phased implementation would kick in from Monday, 4 July 2022 for Warwick, Innisfail, Bowen, Whitsundays (urban only), Fraser Coast and Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

From September to the end of January 2023, the changes will be introduced progressively across the remaining regional areas of Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Gladstone, Gympie, Whitsunday (school network), Rockhampton-Yeppoon, Bundaberg, Toowoomba, and Kilcoy.

"The Palaszczuk Government is committed to providing the transport services Queenslanders want and need, right across the state," Mr Bailey said.

"We're building buses and trains right here in Queensland – supporting jobs, developing skills and boosting the Queensland economy as we continue our strong recovery.

"I look forward to seeing more people giving public transport a try here, there and everywhere."

Head online to the Translink website for more information.

ENDS

https://twitter.com/Translink_QLD/status/1543781274074382336

https://twitter.com/Translink_QLD/status/1566653127155392512

We're growing across Queensland

> https://translink.com.au/about-translink/brand

I think as of 26 September that leaves only the following bus services not fully part of the TransLink brand:

- Gladstone (500s)
- Bundaberg (retains old numbering for now, probably going to be 600s)
- Kilcoy (895)
- North Stradbroke (880 and 881)

There were also 2 services from Cairns to Kuranda and Atherton that showed up in TransLink's GTFS real-time feed (850 and 851).  I assume they were meant to be included otherwise they wouldn't be in the feed, but I can't seem to find them anymore.  Info is only on the operator's website (they are the same mob who run Innisfail) - https://www.transnorthbus.com.au/uploads/docs/tt-cairns-atherton-february2022.pdf

People will be able to catch a train and bus all the way to Rainbow beach.

https://twitter.com/Translink_QLD/status/1602165252782972929

Somebody may want to pass on to TL that the Toowoomba network map is wrong - Route 907 appears to have 2 separate colours for north and south of the CBD.

Queensland Parliament

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2023/981-2023.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 981
Asked on 24 August 2023

MR J LISTER ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS AND MINISTER FOR DIGITIAL SERVICES (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

Will the Minister provide the budgeted or actual regional Queensland public transport fare
revenue (reported separately for each year) from 2021–22 to 2026–27?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Southern Downs for the question.

The Queensland Government provides regulated and/or subsidised aviation, urban bus, ferry,
long-distance coach and rail services to ensure regional, rural and remote communities have
access to essential medical, educational, cultural, social and business services.

Under regional transport service contracts, fares are collected and retained by regional operators,
with the Department of Transport and Main Roads paying operators to offset total contract costs
against the revenue received. The details of contract payments to delivery partners are
commercial in confidence.

Facebook ...

https://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/50-cent-fares

The 50 cent flat fare applies to all Translink network regional bus services in the following areas:

Bowen
Bundaberg
Cairns
Fraser Coast (including on demand)
Gladstone
Gympie
Innisfail
Kilcoy
Mackay
Rockhampton and Yeppoon
Sunshine Coast Hinterland
Toowoomba (including on demand)
Townsville
Warwick
Whitsundays

Ticketing options

You will be able to pay in cash onboard the bus as you do now.

Concessions

The 50% concession fares will not apply during this time. Fares will be a flat 50 cent rate for everyone using public transport.

Is North Stradbroke Island off in its own universe still?  Not in the list above...

Quote from: SurfRail on May 30, 2024, 15:05:05 PMIs North Stradbroke Island off in its own universe still?  Not in the list above...

Yep. Does anyone know why it's separate still? Can't the Government just force the operators hand?

There would be something specific to that contract, or it having been taken over by Transit Systems a few years back.

There are somewhat similar legal issues which will prevent these services and the Gympie, Maleny, Kilcoy and Toowoomba services being part of the SEQ ticketing system (noting only Maleny and Kilcoy are actually connected to the main SEQ network anyway). 

Unless those are resolved, I'm not sure how the ticketing equipment will handle a trip from Roma Street to say Montville or Woodford.  Notionally these should be the same as a trip from Roma Street to USC or Burleigh - one train, one bus with continuation travel. 

I expect you will just get treated as having left SEQ when you transfer at Landsborough or Caboolture and start racking up entirely different fares on the local scale.

Quote from: SurfRail on May 30, 2024, 15:44:26 PMThere would be something specific to that contract, or it having been taken over by Transit Systems a few years back.

There are somewhat similar legal issues which will prevent these services and the Gympie, Maleny, Kilcoy and Toowoomba services being part of the SEQ ticketing system (noting only Maleny and Kilcoy are actually connected to the main SEQ network anyway). 

Unless those are resolved, I'm not sure how the ticketing equipment will handle a trip from Roma Street to say Montville or Woodford.  Notionally these should be the same as a trip from Roma Street to USC or Burleigh - one train, one bus with continuation travel. 

I expect you will just get treated as having left SEQ when you transfer at Landsborough or Caboolture and start racking up entirely different fares on the local scale.

Why have these issues not been resolved? It seems entirely unacceptable in this day and age.

Quote from: SurfRail on May 30, 2024, 15:05:05 PMIs North Stradbroke Island off in its own universe still?  Not in the list above...

Quote from: RowBro on May 30, 2024, 15:10:52 PM

Quote from: SurfRail on May 30, 2024, 15:05:05 PMIs North Stradbroke Island off in its own universe still?  Not in the list above...

Yep. Does anyone know why it's separate still? Can't the Government just force the operators hand?

https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/redlands/tourist-island-slugged-with-parking-fines-no-50-cent-bus-boat-concessions/news-story/4436064cf71a8e387a80cfa17f70e44c

The other day The Courier Mail reported that Straddie buses were included in the 50c trial but not the Ferries or CATs to and from Cleveland.

QuoteA statement from Translink said the six-month 50c trial, starting in August, would include buses on North Stradbroke Island and also the Southern Moreton Bay Island ferry services but not the ferries or the barge which are privately-operated transport services.

Translink said it was rolling out the Smart Ticketing across the public transport network, with Smart Ticketing available to adult customers on South East Queensland trains, Brisbane River ferries and Gold Coast Light Rail.

"The first bus trial will be announced this year and we will announce the trial of Smart Ticketing on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) buses in due course," the Translink statement said.

^ Good. Would have made no sense leaving NSI buses out.

The one ferry which I think should be in scope is Victoria Point to Coochimudlo (that should be part of the SEQ network one way or the other).

I'd like to see it rolled out to Hopo but that isn't serious mass transit.  If there was a route from Coomera and the northern Broadwater into Southport then maybe.  (Maybe if somebody wants to snap up some Gen 1 Citycats cheap they can make a pitch to GCCC.)

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1836788585368096784