Go card/ TL timeline

[dwb]

Hi all, I'm working on a Go card timeline... if you've got any additional dates/sources/factoids please post!!
Cheers

Translink/ Go card timeline:

1997 ? Integrated Regional Transport Plan recommends
integrated ticketing via smart card technology

2002 ? SmartPOS (Cubic and Commonwealth Bank Australia
consortium) chosen as preferred tenderer for smart card integrated ticketing

18 July 03 ? 12 year contract with Cubic signed for
implementation of smart card integrated ticketing

1 July 04 ? Translink launched as agency under QT,
integrated paper fares across modes and operators, extension of 50% concession
fares to all operators under Translink regulation

Oct 04 ? Press release by Transport Minister claims smart
card ticketing will be operational by July 2005

July 06 - Northern region (Redcliffe, Pine Rivers,
Caboolture and Sunshine Coast) trials of smart card technology with 1000-1500
pilot users, complaints of issues with tagging on and off, fare problems etc

14 Dec 07 ? Cubic website launched although system not yet
fully up and running

29 Jan 08 ? Northern region-wide (Redcliffe, Pine Rivers,
Caboolture and Sunshine Coast) launch of Go card (still not publicly available
to Brisbane residents)

23 Feb 08? System-wide launch of Go card (excluding Airtain
and Surfside operators)

17 April 08 ? 50,000 Go cards in circulation

29 June 08 ? Increase to fares announced commencing 4 Aug 08

30 June 08 ? Surfside buslines and Airtrain now offer
payment by Go Card ? Surfside is integrated however Airtrain (as a PPP) is excluded
from zonal system

1 July 08 ? Translink Transit Authority established

4 Aug 08 ? Standard PT fares increased by CPI and Go card
Frequent User Scheme adjusted from 50% off after 10 journeys to at least 20%
off after 6 journeys ? still does not offer equivalent value of weekly paper
ticket or daily paper tickets

Aug 08 ? Translink starts advertising using ?Go card, now at
least 20% cheaper? slogan

17 Aug 08 ? Complaint made to Office of Fair Trading
regarding advertising approach ? unresolved and no change in advertising
approach until Dec 08.  No formal
written response received from OFT.

Nov 08 ? Go card ?user education? (advertising) campaign
launched including press ads and television ads in lead up to State election

Dec 08 ? Go card discount advertising clarifies ?at least
20% cheaper than a single ticket"

13 Nov 08 ? 194,000 Go cards in circulation, 11,510,000
journeys made, $31,460,000 value loaded to cards, system has supported a high
of 125,000 journeys in a single day

April 09 ? Translink spokesperson confirms cheaper off-peak
fares will be part of strategy recommendations provided to the Minister mid
year

[ozbob]

Excellent Dwb!  This thread was started to document the early days as well -->  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=135.0   there are bits and pieces in there that might be of interest too.

Regards
Bob

[dwb]

Thanks Bob, yep I had a squiz at that post the other day, although it is quite long I probably missed a few bits of info, will have another look. Cheers.