Article: State Government announces cheaper bus, train and tram fares and multi-

[ozbob]

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State Government announces cheaper bus, train and tram fares and multi-day passes for unlimited travel

PUBLIC transport users have been promised monthly discounts of up to $23.30 from December as part of a State Government shake-up of the bus, train and tram ticketing system.

Premier Jay Weatherill today announced five new options - including extended free travel periods for seniors and special passes for tourists - which will be rolled out from December.

However, he would not reveal how much the discounts would cost the State Budget or how many extra people the Government expected to use public transport due to the change.

The new ticket options are:

TWENTY-EIGHT day passes with unlimited travel. The Government estimates the $114 pass, to be launched in January, will save someone who travels twice every weekday $17.60.

BUSINESSES who join a new "commuter club" from April can offer the 28-day pass to their employees with an additional 5 per cent discount, taking the total estimated saving to $23.30.

CHEAPER public holiday and Sunday fares. From December, the current price of $3.29 will be cut to $1.80, saving commuters $1.49 per trip.
EXTENDED free travel for seniors. The new scheme expands existing arrangements that give seniors free travel between 9am and 3pm on weekdays or on weekends and public holidays. From December seniors will not be charged for travelling before 7am or after 7pm.

TOURIST passes will offer one, three and five days of travel. February launch.

Mr Weatherill said the recent implementation of the electronic Metrocard had given the Government capacity to roll out new ticketing options.

"These five new initiatives are the most substantial reform to our fares, in relation to public transport, that we've seen for many a decade," he said.

"They're about getting more people on our bus, train and tram network.
"They're about making sure that we take advantage of the capacity we do have."

Opposition Leader Steven Marshall said SA had the highest single trip fares in the nation, which were being cut "at five minutes to midnight, just before an election".

"We are expecting to see a substantial uplift in public transport usage," he said.

"They've got no credibility whatsoever in terms of cost of living," Mr Marshall said.
"I think it's good the Government has finally got around to doing something, but they're doing it with just over five months (until) the next state election."

He said the Opposition would announce its own transport policies before the election.

The policy is the Government's third in two weeks, as it gears up for the election in March. It has also released plans for a future fund and new job skills programs.

The Government has come under fire in the past year over its failure to ensure buses run on time and unexpected delays in the operation of new and upgraded rail lines.

Mr Weatherill said the cost to taxpayers of the new discount scheme would be accounted for in the midyear Budget review, expected to be released in December.

"We've made some estimates associated with that, but they're relatively modest costs," he said.

"We are expecting to see a substantial uplift in public transport usage."

The policy is the third in a series from the Government as it gears up for the election in March.

In the last two weeks it has released plans for a future fund and new job skills programs.

Opposition Leader Steven Marshall said SA had the highest single trip fares in the nation, which were being cut "at five minutes to midnight, just before an election".

"They've got no credibility what so ever in terms of cost of living," he said.

"I think it's good the Government has finally got around to doing something, but they're doing it with just over five months the next state election."

Mr Marshall said the Opposition would announce its own transport policies before the election.

"What people would get under a Liberal government is certainty," he said.

"When we say we are going to do something, that's precisely what we would do."

[Stillwater]

Mr Weatherill said the recent implementation of the electronic Metrocard had given the Government capacity to roll out new ticketing options.

"These five new initiatives are the most substantial reform to our fares, in relation to public transport, that we've seen for many a decade," he said.

"They're about getting more people on our bus, train and tram network.
"They're about making sure that we take advantage of the capacity we do have."

Ahem, Mr Emerson, are you listening?  Or is it all Labor's fault still?

[SurfRail]

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