26 Jul 2008: SEQ: Go with the go card! Ready ?. Set ?. Go?

[ozbob]

Media Release 26 July 2008

SEQ:  Go with the go card!  Ready ?. Set ?.  Go?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has called for further incentive fares to be added to the Go card as priority.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

?The new frequent user fare structure for the go card comes into effect on August the 4th (1).  This fare is a significant improvement on the initial fare structure that was rolled out.?

?The effect however of the flawed initial fare structure for the go card was that the public transport commuter community has become very cautious and critical of the go card due to the significant amount of adverse public comment that has been generated.?

?RAIL Back On Track backs the go card and the new fares.  But there is an urgent need for further incentive fare structures to overcome this community concern, and further encourage go card uptake and the efficiency improvements and cost savings that will then occur.?

?The present paper ticketing on the TransLink network has an off peak option.  This encourages travel at less congested times and is helpful to retired pensioners, parents and others who can take trips during the off peak periods.  It encourages citizens to use public transport and reduce environmental impacts.?

?Presently off peak ticketing is available for unlimited travel between 9am and 3.30pm and after 7pm on weekdays, and all day on weekends and gazetted public holidays (2).?

?The go card provides a simple means of providing an off peak fare structure. All journeys that commence after 9am  that is, touch on after 9am Monday to Friday,  and touch on before 3.30pm and touch on after 7pm could be given a flat off peak discount of 10%.?

?It would be a simple matter to give all journeys on weekends and gazetted public holidays an off peak discount too.  This is only replicating present ticketing practices.?

?Providing a capping on go card fares such as daily, weekly, and monthly fare limits that are set the same as the present paper seasonal ticket costs would also go a long way in picking up the high use public transport and encourage people to use public transport.?

?Now is the time to go for it! Ready ... Set ... GO!!?

Reference:

1.  http://www.translink.com.au/qt/translin.nsf/index/ti_changes_aug08

2.   http://www.translink.com.au/qt/translin.nsf/index/ti_tickets

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org