1 Aug 2014: SEQ: Fare affordability crisis needs action today

[ozbob]

Media release 1st August 2014



SEQ: Fare affordability crisis needs action today

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 TransLink performance snap shot data for June 2014 has again confirmed that affordability has worsened for ferry and train.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Fares for public transport in SEQ have gone up in real terms (compound) around 83% for go card and 114% for paper single tickets during the period 2010-2014 (1).

"CPI for the period 2010-2014 has gone up around 9.5% (2).  The sheer magnitude of the fare increases has stagnated patronage on public transport in SEQ.  Fare box revenue is also on the slide.  To continue on this failed fare path is not in the interests of anyone."

"It is then little wonder then that affordability is again the stand out failure for the TransLink Customer Satisfaction KPIs (3, 5) for June 2014. Worst unaffordability ever recorded for ferry and rail!"

"A new balanced fare system needs to be put in place (4).  A fare system that drives patronage around the clock, is affordable and fair to all.  The present free after nine paid journeys is easily rorted and is adding to further cost pressures for high base fares. This failed fare paradigm was introduced by the former State Government as free after 10 paid journeys in a week. The Newman Government simply carried on the basic flawed paradigm by changing it 9 paid journeys in a week as the threshold. The end result has been worsening patronage, a failed fare box and  worsening affordability overall."

"The nine and free fare paradigm is leading to massive fare box leakage and is NOT making fares affordable at all (6).  It is just a massive rort!"

"There are very big cost savings to be made by getting people back on public transport with a sound fare system.  Fares in SEQ are amongst the worlds most expensive.  Time to act!"

Contact:

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

References:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10048.msg135186#msg135186

2. http://www.oesr.qld.gov.au/products/tables/cpi-all-groups-bris-wt-avg-eight-qtr/index.php

3. http://translink.com.au/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/public-transport-performance-data

4.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10571.msg139861#msg139861

5.  The June 2014 Public transport performance data for affordability:

http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/open-data/2014-jun-snapshot.pdf page 14

Affordability June 2014



6.  16 Jun 2014: SEQ: Flawed cost estimates for the nine and free go card rort?
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10765.0

[ozbob]

Discussion --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10048.msg144919#msg144919

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

3rd July 2014

Re: SEQ: Fare affordability crisis needs action today

Greetings,

Herewith the summary of all TransLink KPIs for June 2014.

http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/open-data/2014-jun-snapshot.pdf page 1



KPI summary June 2014

As can be noted 'Affordability' is the stand out failure. This is not new, TransLink in its previous form when it issued Annual Reports acknowledged that fare affordability was a major issue.  Transport and Main Roads in its 2012/13 Annual Report did the same.  Action to address can be summed up as ' crickets '.

Promises of distant fare increases of reduced quantum do little to address the immediate issue of people being forced off public transport due to high cost fares. Patronage is going backwards with very negative impacts on overall road congestion and costs.

Recast the fare system to provide immediate relief and get the public transport network ' back on track '!

Commence proper community consultation on a new fare system in line with the next generation ticketing system due in 2016.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

2nd August 2014

Re: SEQ: Fare affordability crisis needs action today

Good Morning,

Brisbane media, have you have ever wondered why the TransLink performance data is usually released late on a Friday?

Maybe it is because most of you are off on  Friday happy hours?  It seems to me that the timing is just another way of trying to minimise scrutiny.

Well, some of us never sleep!

June data is special, couldn't even make the data available in July, so bad is the affordability KPI!

Have a relaxing weekend.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Media release 1st August 2014



SEQ: Fare affordability crisis needs action today

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 TransLink performance snap shot data for June 2014 has again confirmed that affordability has worsened for ferry and train.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Fares for public transport in SEQ have gone up in real terms (compound) around 83% for go card and 114% for paper single tickets during the period 2010-2014 (1).

"CPI for the period 2010-2014 has gone up around 9.5% (2).  The sheer magnitude of the fare increases has stagnated patronage on public transport in SEQ.  Fare box revenue is also on the slide.  To continue on this failed fare path is not in the interests of anyone."

"It is then little wonder then that affordability is again the stand out failure for the TransLink Customer Satisfaction KPIs (3, 5) for June 2014. Worst unaffordability ever recorded for ferry and rail!"

"A new balanced fare system needs to be put in place (4).  A fare system that drives patronage around the clock, is affordable and fair to all.  The present free after nine paid journeys is easily rorted and is adding to further cost pressures for high base fares. This failed fare paradigm was introduced by the former State Government as free after 10 paid journeys in a week. The Newman Government simply carried on the basic flawed paradigm by changing it 9 paid journeys in a week as the threshold. The end result has been worsening patronage, a failed fare box and  worsening affordability overall."

"The nine and free fare paradigm is leading to massive fare box leakage and is NOT making fares affordable at all (6).  It is just a massive rort!"

"There are very big cost savings to be made by getting people back on public transport with a sound fare system.  Fares in SEQ are amongst the worlds most expensive.  Time to act!"

Contact:

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

References:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10048.msg135186#msg135186

2. http://www.oesr.qld.gov.au/products/tables/cpi-all-groups-bris-wt-avg-eight-qtr/index.php

3. http://translink.com.au/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/public-transport-performance-data

4.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10571.msg139861#msg139861

5.  The June 2014 Public transport performance data for affordability:

http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/open-data/2014-jun-snapshot.pdf page 14

Affordability June 2014



6.  16 Jun 2014: SEQ: Flawed cost estimates for the nine and free go card rort?
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10765.0