Ekka 2014 fares - statement: Cheap ride to the Ekka

[ozbob]

http://www.scottemerson.com.au/media/media-releases/511-cheap-ride-to-the-ekka.html

Cheap ride to the Ekka

Families and fun-goers heading to the Ekka will again benefit from discounted travel tickets for the third year in a row providing cheaper travel and less waiting at the station.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said the Queensland Government had frozen travel costs allowing adults to get to and from the Ekka for just $6 and concessions pay only $3.

"Unlike the previous Labor government we are providing real cost of living savings making it cheaper and easier for families to get to the Ekka," Mr Emerson said.

"It's part of our strong plan for public transport which is creating a brighter future for Queensland.

"More people are choosing public transport under our policy with more than 280,000 trips taken last year, a 50 per cent increase compared to Labor's record in 2011 of 196,000.

"Under our plan last year we saw a 70 per cent reduction in the number of people waiting in line at the Exhibition station compared to the chaotic situation under Labor in 2011.

"Our Ekka travel ticket has fixed another Labor bungle when it removed the option to purchase a daily ticket to the show leading to long queues of families waiting more than 30 minutes trying to get home weighed down with show bags and tired children.                                                     

"We are making it cheaper and easier to get to the Ekka and will again have dedicated train and bus shuttles scheduled in addition to normal public transport services."

RNA Chief Executive Brendan Christou said the $6 and $3 Ekka travel ticket offer was a great initiative and would be appreciated by families travelling to the show.

"The Ekka is the state's biggest and most loved event and families can now plan their trip to the show knowing the costs involved and the incredible savings on offer,'' he said.

"The best way to travel to the show is by public transport as it offers a stress free journey and ensures people are dropped off in the heart of the action at the showgrounds.

"We are encouraging the public to take advantage of the Ekka travel ticket and thank the Queensland Government for introducing such great value fares for families."

The Ekka travel tickets can be purchased from Monday 28 July. They are available from any attended Queensland Rail train station, or on board any TransLink bus or ferry on the day of travel, by presenting a valid Ekka entry ticket.

Customers should visit www.ekka.com.au for details about further discounts on entry prices.

[STB]

I wish they stop saying 'under the previous Labor Government...blah blah blah, Labor bad...blah blah blah...we're doing good...blah blah blah'...you get the picture.

[Derwan]

Add around $3 to the ticket prices and have "free" public transport.  It's not rocket science.  I don't know why the RNA continues to refuse to do this.

[red dragin]

280,000 is a ~43% increase on 198,000.

Perhaps someone should buy the minister's media person a calculator.

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

12th June 2014

Ekka Bus vs Rail competition to feature again for Ekka 2014?

The Ekka has long been a showcase for Queensland illogical public transport policy. The QLD
Government has a strong track record in consistently, over many years, of bungling
transport arrangements for the event. We therefore welcome the announcement of flat fares
for the EKKA 2014. Excellent!

However the bus arrangements in 2013 for example, included firing low frequency Brisbane Transport rocket
buses from train station car parks in direct competition to train services. The low frequency meant a
long wait completely negating any time savings from the 'express' running the bus did.
This further reinforced the 'taxi style' network philosophy which has led to Brisbane
having 'taxi style' fare levels.

With a bus frequency of just every 30 minutes, passengers would be better off simply
catching the next available bus to Roma St and transferring to a train, and ensuring that
high frequency train services (every 10 min or better) are supplied. Will the QLD
Government be running an internal competition between buses vs trains and paying for both
to this year's Ekka as well? We hope not. Time to operate our public transport network as a properly integrated network.
This will drive cost savings and better fares as well.


Shuttle bus routes - EKKA transport arrangements 2013 for information:

Dedicated Ekka shuttle buses Ekka shuttle buses will run inbound to the Ekka every 30
minutes each day.

EK1 - Northgate (PDF, 318KB) 9am -4pm    starting from Ridge Street (outside train
station) , continuing to Nundah (on Station Street near Nundah Street), Toombul bus
interchange stop F (inbound only), then express to O'Connell Terrace (at the Ekka)

EK2 - Eight Mile Plains     9am - 4pm    stopping at all stops on the South East Busway,
then all stops on the Inner Northern Busway to RCH Herston station (only stopping at RBWH
if requested), continuing to O'Connell Terrace (at the Ekka)

EK3 - Boggo Road     9am - 4pm    starting from Boggo Road busway station, continuing
along the busway to PAH station, Mater Hill, South Bank, Cultural Centre, King George
Square, Roma Street, Normanby, QUT Kelvin Grove, RCH Herston (only stopping at RBWH if
requested), then express to O'Connell Terrace (at the Ekka)

EK4 - Carindale  9am - 4.10pm    starting from Carindale bus interchange bay G, then
continuing to the Carina City, Camp Hill and Coorparoo stops (on Old Cleveland Road), then
all stops on the Eastern and Inner Northern Busways to RCH Herston (only stopping at RBWH
if requested), then express to O'Connell Terrace (at the Ekka)

EK5 - Chermside     9am - 4pm    starting from Chermside bus interchange platform D,
continuing to Chermside on Gympie Road, Kedron North (near Edinburgh Castle Road), Kedron
Brook busway station, Lutwyche busway station, Truro Street bus stop, Windsor (stop 13 on
Lutwyche Road), then express to O'Connell Terrace (at the Ekka)

EK6 - Eagle Junction     9am - 4pm    starting from Eagle Junction station stop 28
(outside the station on Junction Rd), continuing to Wooloowin (near the station, on Bridge
Street), Albion (Ekka stop at Mawarra Street), then express to O'Connell Terrace (at the
Ekka)

EK7 - Shorncliffe  9am - 4pm    starting from Shorncliffe train station, continuing to
Sandgate bus interchange stop 5 (at Sandgate station), then running express to O'Connell
Terrace (at the Ekka)

EK8 - Beenleigh     9am - 4pm    starting from Beenleigh bus interchange (outside
Beenleight station), continuing to Logan Hyperdome bus station stop D, then express to
O'Connell Terrace (at the Ekka)

References

SEQ: Ekka Services highlight flaws in bus network direct service dogma
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8930.msg106823#msg106823

'Transferring' can be good for you, and good for your city
http://www.humantransit.org/2009/04/why-transferring-is-good-for-you-and-good-for-your-city.html

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 14th June 2014 page 19

Ekka's transport debacle

[ozbob]

Twitter

TransLink SEQ ‏@TransLinkSEQ

TransLink's $6 & $3 Ekka travel tickets on sale from Monday 28 July http://bit.ly/VZqhkK

[ozbob]

Twitter

Scott Emerson ‏@scottemersonmp

Happy 149th birthday @QueenslandRail. Remember $6 return tickets to @TheEkka across SEQ network starting Friday week

[petey3801]

I prepped that bucket of bolts on Tuesday evening!

[ozbob]

Twitter

Scott Emerson ‏@scottemersonmp 25m

Just leaving Roma St station on the train to @TheEkka. We've kept rtn tickets for PT to the show at $6 again #qldpol

[ozbob]