27 Sep 2009: SEQ: Early bird travel in Melbourne huge success ...

[ozbob]

Media Release 27 September 2009

SEQ:  Early bird travel in Melbourne huge success, innovation stalemate Brisbane

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 early bird scheme in Melbourne has been a huge success (1).  Brisbane has the go card, which provides a simple means to introduce incentive fares, early and late peak and off peak.  Why do we languish in a fare backwater?

Robert Dow, spokesperson for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The experience in Melbourne with free early bird travel has confirmed that innovation in public transport does save money and improves efficiency."

"It is clear from public feedback, our observations and actual go card experience that the major stumbling block for uptake with the go card is the fare structure. It is time that our investment in the go card system is turned into improved public transport efficiencies. To drive go card uptake a fare structure for the go card that matches and betters the present paper tickets in innovative ways is needed.  Early, late, and off peak discounts with capping to match daily, weekly and monthly tickets is what is needed to drive uptake and continued use of the go card. Such a fare structure will also assist in congestion management."

"A high uptake of the go card will reduce overall ticketing costs and provide more funding for urgently needed services.  Accurate real time loading data will be available which will also allow TransLink and the operators to fine tune timetables to match services with the actual demands.  Reduced loading times for bus particularly will assist greatly in speeding up overall route journey times."

"Other states have introduced free travel options for Seniors as well, apart from the concession fares (2). Smart states actually do innovation,  the 'Smart State' just drowns in its spin.  Is it not time that something was done?

References:

1.  Sleepy commuters doing bit to save state $85m http://www.theage.com.au/national/sleepy-commuters-doing-bit-to-save-state-85m-20090926-g76y.html

2.  Call for free Sunday TransLink travel for Seniors on Go Card and the reintroduction of a weekend 'family' ticket!
    http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2555.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Discussion thread here --> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2798.0