Ekka train fares - 2009

[Derwan]

I see that catching a train between the city and the Exhibition Grounds for the Caravan expo is FREE.  Go Card holders are reminded to "touch off" prior to embarking on an Exhibition-bound train.

Will we see a similar process put into place for the 2009 Ekka - putting an end to the rip-off and discrimination against train travellers?

Background:
Bob's May 2009 media release
Articles and discussion on the rip-off
Go Card for Ekka and more fare discussion

[ozbob]

Just slot Ekka into Zone 1, this will encourage maximum public transport use.  They will end up with more revenue anyway!

[SteelPan]

Last years "cash grab" by the State Govt was a shameful and indeed embarassing event, one hopes never to see repeated...you'd have sworn we were a ca$hstrapped 3rd world...(Qld Health...maybe we are..) anyway, encourage public transit and let existing Translink Tickets get you to and from the show and stop making a BIG DEAL out of it! 

[dwb]

I'm almost certain this comes down to the RNA not contributing financially for services. Now before you say 'why should they?' then I would say bc I'm pretty sure other major events do! It is all in the TOPTA legislation, events of over 5000 have to have services provided (or rejected) by TL.

It is ludicrous to think the govt should just use the public purse to fully pay for an event that leads to significant private gain. The pressure should be applied on the RNA to cough up and contribute!  How much are gate fees? Something like $15 alone... the $2 per passenger (or whatever it is) should definitley come out of that!

If the govt were to let them not pay, then what about all other events? Should the State (ie the taxpayer) fund ALL transport services to ALL private events for free?? I don't think so!!

[ozbob]

But the shuttle buses are free.  This is the contradiction.  Making public transport seamless would actually probably result in more revenue.  As it is people leave the train and then go and get a bus, rather than pay the extra fare.

Cheers
Bob

[stephenk]

I can't believe that so many people are incapable of walking 5 mins to the Ekka from Bowen Hills (for free)!

[ozbob]

Same issue with the stadium at Milton.  Walking in from Roma St?   No way, push the punters off their homeward bound trains and occupy between Roma St and Milton  

What has happened over the past few years around the Ekka is bus effectively free, rail one needs a special ticket, extra charge.  What I think would be better overall is make the Ekka Zone one for bus and rail.  If you have a ticket zone 1 or higher well you can use bus or train. No ticket, buy one.  This would make it a lot easier for people who have a weekly etc. for going seamlessly to the Ekka.  They cannot buy extension tickets easily at stations not staffed (can't from AVVMs) so they must break and get another ticket.

Dwb makes a good point in that the so called 'free travel' is actually funded (in part) by the particular event.  I know that last year the RNA did not want to put anything in for TransLink travel.  I take a wider view with the EKKA though as it is a an important community event with very significant numbers travelling on public transport over a sustained period. Making the travel just part of the normal network would return savings overall in terms of reduced congestion and maximum utilisation of the public transport asset with more revenue!