18 May 2009: SEQ: More ticket barrier changes at Central ...

[ozbob]

Media Release 18 May 2009

SEQ:  More ticket barrier changes at Central highlight the failure of go card uptake

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 said the changes to the ticket barriers at Central Station from the 26th May, further restrict paper ticket holders.  About 70% of rail commuters who pass through Central station use paper tickets.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"RAIL Back On Track encourages Go card use and uptake. There are many benefits for public transport in south-east Queensland if a high uptake of the Go card is gained."

"The way to get Go card uptake is to make the fare structure equal or better to the seasonal paper ticketing, and improving the administrative support for Go card users.  Add capping, off peak and incentive fares to the Go card and use will surge."

"Our members have already expressed significant reservations with the changes announced today, particularly in view of the Go card fare paralysis. Both ticketing streams, paper and Go will now be merged at all Go card gate arrays and much confusion and delay will result at the morning peak in particular as there are further restrictions on exits for paper users."

"Surely, it is now time for equitable fares for all on the Go card?  Why put paper ticket users off side?  It is bad enough coping with the constant delays and cancellations on the network, now this!"

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

See this thread for details of the changes and discussion:

--> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2230.msg10929#msg10929

[ozbob]

Follow up to this release, 22nd May 2009

Greetings,

The Minister for Transport, Ms Nolan recently made a statement in parliament about the Go card.
( http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/view/legislativeAssembly/hansard/documents/2009.pdf/2009_05_20_DAILY.pdf  ).

It is a significant achievement that the Go card is up and running.  But, only 29% of public transport trips are presently by Go card.
It is really time to get cracking with a more equitable fare structure, capping and fares that matches paper tickets essentially.  The automatic top up feature needs to be implemented.  Administrative support needs to be improved, more points of sale and the placing of AVVMs (ticket machines) in the major bus stations is needed.

As the Minister has suggested, there are significant gains for the overall efficiency of public transport that will gained by a high Go card uptake.  But it must be attractive to ALL users.  At present it is clearly not.

The gate changes scheduled for Central on the 26th May, are being perceived by many as a 'stick', when perhaps a 'carrot' should lead the stick?
( See --> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2230.msg10936#msg10936 ).  At peak only about 25% of rail commuters are using Go card.  It is understood that fare evasion is the reason perhaps for these changes BUT more thought, and communication to users as to why these changes at Central are needed is essential.  Otherwise there may well be a very significant backlash.

How long do the taxpayers of Queensland have to wait to see their significant investment in the Go card system really start to pay 'dividends'?

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track