15 Dec 2013: SEQ: All we want for Christmas is a new fare system!

[ozbob]

Media release 15th December 2013



SEQ: All we want for Christmas is a new fare system!

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 five year path commenced in 2010 and culminating with another fare hike many times CPI from 6th January 2014 has failed (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The five year high cost fare path was ostensibly designed to arrest the fare box slide.  It is has failed to do that because the massive fare increases have lead to patronage stagnation, despite many increases in service kilometres for bus and rail."

"During 2013 the fare fail has been further compounded by the failed bus reviews. All bus regions now are having route, frequency and span of hours cuts inflicted upon them, principally to support the failed bus direct service model fixated on by Brisbane City Council."

"From 6th January 2014 a one zone single adult paper ticket will cost $5.20! Go card fares are little bit more affordable relative to paper."

"The entire premise of the present failed fare system though is wide open to active rorting.  This in turn is leading to an increasing culture of fare evasion sadly."

"It is time to say enough! A new fare system must now be a priority.  Looming election deadlines no doubt will help achieve an outcome that leads to a balanced, fair, comprehensive fare system that gets people onto public transport around the clock.  A fare system that has sensible fares for the first journey in a week as well the 20th journey in week."

"Will Santa deliver?"

References:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10048.msg135994#msg135994

2. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10048.msg135922#msg135922

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Discussion --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10048.msg136258#msg136258

[Stillwater]

Mr Emerson has made no secret his desire that transport system outcomes be politically driven.  We have confirmation of that from within QR.  The minister probably will use the political process leading to an election late next year (not in 2015) to come up with a new fare system.  That will arise from pre-election issues polling by the LNP, or as a consequence of Labor coming up with a promise that the LNP will have to respond to or match.

In fact, the chink in the LNP political armour is that it has the numbers in the parliament, considerable numbers.  Thus, Labor can make a promise (such as free travel for Seniors in off-peak and on weekends) knowing they won't get into government and, therefore, would be on the hook to implement the promise.

However, a Labor promise along those lines, or a review of the zones, or whatever, would be the best way to drive LNP transport policy -- with the government having to respond to what Labor puts up.

Who knows, maybe we will see Labor promise to duplicate to Landsborough, making things awkward for the host of LNP members up that way!

We should work on the Opposition in the lead-up to a state election so that, indirectly, we make the government and this minister react.  He can't resist a political goad!

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

28th December 2013

The big failures in SEQ for PT ...

Greetings,

Yes, another 7.5% fare increase for SEQ from 6 January 2014.  This now means since 2010 compound (real increase) fare increases 83% for go card, 114% for paper.

Melbourne for example, is increasing their fares 2.5% for 2014.

2010  go card fares increased 20%, paper 40%

2011  fares increased 15%

2012  fares increased 15%

2013  fares increased 7.5%

2014  fare increase 7.5%

CPI for this period  around 10%

This is the fundamental reason why fare affordability is the stand-out failure for the KPIs  http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/open-data/2013-sep-snapshot.pdf

So much for sensible fare policy for SEQ. My view is that the 5 year fare path was a deliberate strategy to stunt patronage growth, clearly.  This view has been formed over a number of years based on my observations and on comments made by various individuals at meetings and so forth.  It is the sum of all those comments.  I believe I am correct.  The evidence is clear.

Qconnect fares are around half the fare rip-off in SEQ ( http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Travel-and-transport/qconnect/Urban-bus-services.aspx ).  Qconnect fares have generally increased only by CPI since 2010.

The other issue is the nature of the flawed fare system in SEQ.  Easily rorted (with more fare box leakage), it is further driving fare evasion.  Anecdotal reports of more and more people failing to touch off are increasing.  It beggars belief to think these people all have obscenely priced and very limited paper single tickets.

The bus review and fare review failures for SEQ are the stand-out issues for public transport in SEQ that can be sorted easily.  A proactive Government would be fixing them, not carrying on with the failed paradigm.

All the best and good luck for 2014.  We are going to need it  ...  $5.20 for a ONE ZONE paper ticket!!!  ( http://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/fares/fares-and-ticketing-2014 )

Best wishes
Robert

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