8 Mar 2009: SEQ: Go card policies on the table

[ozbob]

Media Release 8 Mar 2009

SEQ:  Go card policies on the table

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport users has said the three big political parties have now laid their Go cards on the table.

Robert Dow, spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The LNP have put forward a policy to encourage early and late peak travel using the Go card.  If rail commuters touch off in zone 1 between 6am and 7am, or touch on in zone 1 between 6pm and 7pm, the journey is free one way." (1)

"The Greens have put forward a plan for young people under 22 years of age and all students that would give free travel on all trains, buses ferries and CityCats, using the Go card as the ticketing mechanism." (2)

"A spokesman for the Premier was reported as saying that off peak fares on the Go card had been ruled out last August, following a call last weekend from RAIL Back On Track for off peak fares, early and late peak fares and capping to be introduced on the Go card." (3)

"The Greens and LNP are looking forwards.  The Go card is a big investment for the Queensland taxpayer and it should be used as an effective congestion management tool and ticketing system rather than just a ticketing system."

"Now is the time for innovative fares for the Go card."

"How about it Premier?"

References:

1. http://www.springborg.com/policy/policy-page/transport.html
2. http://www.ronanleemp.com/page/home
3. Brisbane mX 2nd March 2009 page 1

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Feedback received, thanks.

More and more, I am sure that someone in their rush to get a contract up and running signed off or was told to sign off on a contract that put the people of Queensland at a disadvantage. Surely it is time for the government to come clean about the contract conditions that seem to be holding back their ability to give the travelling public a truly fair deal on the Go Card pricing.  If it is commercial, then the details don't have to be given, just the fact that it is tied up with the conditions that were agreed to.  They have done this on OUR behalf so they should be telling us as share holders the decisions that they have made that are causing us to pay more than we need to.