2 Nov 2007: SEQ: Call for occasional trip Smart card option

[ozbob]

Media Release 2 November 2007

SEQ:  Call for occasional trip Smart card option

RAIL ? Back On Track (http://backontrack.org)  a web based community organisation for the promotion of rail throughout Australia has called for an occasional trip Smart card option to be made available from general roll out.

Robert Dow said:

?The release of details of the basic fare and discount structure of the Smart card is very welcome news!

?The majority of Translink public transport commuters will be able to use the Smart card in a cost neutral or better manner relative to the present paper tickets.

?The eventual phase out of all ten trip saver ticketing will however have an impact on some commuters who use this ticketing for 3 return journeys or less a week."

"We note that Minister Mickel said in his statement ?Many smart card systems around the world offer a range of products and so will TransLink's smart card, this just being the first.?

?Does this leave the door open for an electronic Smart card version of the ten trip saver?

?Introducing such a product would help to alleviate the affected commuters concerns. This card could be programmed such that each trip has a 20% discount as for the present ten trippers but does not roll over to the 50% discount after six journeys as explained by the Minister yesterday.

?Smart card, smart State??  said Robert Dow, spokesman for RAIL Back On Track.

Contact:

Robert Dow

admin@backontrack.org
Administration RAIL Back On Track