15 Sep 2014: SEQ: Fares are too expensive in SEQ - what a NON surprise!

[ozbob]

Media release 15th September 2014



SEQ: Fares are too expensive in SEQ - what a NON surprise!

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 Fare Cut or Service Improvements Survey has simply confirmed what has been known for years (1, 2, 3).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The survey has been viewed by many as a political stunt in the shadows of the looming Queensland State election. Revealing the response rates of the survey before it had finished consigned the survey to total irrelevance. Sample size is small relative to the number of public transport users, and responses from SEQ have overwhelmed feedback from regions outside SEQ."

"The money wasted on this stunt should have been put towards more fare cuts, for example extending concession fares to the unemployed,  and setting up proper fare reform and the necessary network reform."

"The failure of the bus review in 2013 has restricted the opportunity for fare affordability improvements on the SEQ TransLink network."

"Fare unaffordability has never been worse than now in SEQ (4, 5, 6). This was well known prior to this rather pointless 'cuts or services' political stunt. Rather than simple fare-cuts, reorganise the network along the lines proposed in 2013 to drive the massive savings in operating costs, which together with the carbon tax savings can then be used for a much better balanced and affordable fare system for all demographics, with improved connectivity and improved frequency in poorly served areas of SEQ."

"Simple fare cuts alone will not fix the fundamental issues with the failing network (7).

"Real leadership is needed to fix it for the long term, not just an attempt to cynically and contemptibly buy votes for the next state election."

Contact:

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

References:

1. http://translink.com.au/news-and-updates/have-your-say

2. ' Fare Go - Cheaper fares trumps better transport ' -->  https://au.news.yahoo.com/qld/video/watch/24929953/cheaper-fares-trumps-better-transport/

3.  4BC Drive Southeast transport fares --> http://media.mytalk.com.au/4bc/audio/drv_dow_090914.mp3

4. 23 Aug 2014: SEQ: Fare failure on the political agenda
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10917.0

5. 1 Aug 2014: SEQ: Fare affordability crisis needs action today
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10881.0

6. 23 Jul 2014: SEQ: Cost explosion to engulf Queensland Government at polls?
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10836.0

7. How much is 5%, well not much really .. also  the scheduled fare increase of 2.5% from January 2015 will not happen if the masses vote for fare cuts.

Some examples:

Assume applies to paper as well.

Note paper fare increases have been rounded up to the nearest 10 cents by TransLink, will this continue?
Paper fares below are non-rounded. This will make the mediocre decreases less.

Zone 12 eg. Helensvale
Go peak $10.87  off 9.06
- 5%      $ 10.32  off $8.60

Paper $15.80
-5%   $15.01

Zone 15 eg. Robina Eudlo
Go peak $13.78  off  $11.03
-5%       $13.09  off  $10.48

Paper $20
-5%   $19

Zone 16 eg. Varsity Lakes, Palmwoods
Go peak $14.85  off  $11.88
-5%       $14.11  off  $11.29

Paper $21.60
-5%   $20.52

Zone 1
Go peak $3.53  off  $2.83
-5%       $3.35  off  $2.69

Paper $5.20
-5%   $4.94

Zone 2
Go peak $4.14  off  $3.32
-5%       $3.93  off  $3.15

Paper $6.10
-5%   $5.80

[ozbob]

Discussion --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10930.msg146315#msg146315