Article: Go cards not on go in Eight Mile Plains

[ozbob]

From the Southern Star 25th March 2009 page 11

Go cards not on go in Eight Mile Plains

Go cards not on go in Eight Mile Plains

THE go card is a no go for public transport users in Eight Mile Plains.

Newsagent John Allen has been forced to direct customers to Garden City to buy the travel cards. TransLink's cards store up to $200 of credits, allowing people to travel seamlessly on bus, train and ferry services.

But Mr Allen has lost about $18,000 a year in revenue since being denied the right to sell go cards in November 2007.

Not even a 1400 signature petition has won him a reprieve, despite State MP Judy Spence promising to provide a vending outlet in the suburb.

"We're hitting our heads against a wall," he said. Ms Spence said the newsagent's previous location, at the busway station, was not suitable because it didn't have the necessary hi-tech infrastructure.

She admitted there was a gap in go card availability at Eight Mile Plains and promised to fix it.

"I am advised that TransLink has received two applications from vendors in Eight Mile Plains wishing to become registered go card suppliers," she said.

"Both of these vendors will be considered as the retail outlet."