Advice needed to figure out best fare option

[Willuknight]

Hi guys.

After much googling around the interent to figure out how the heck the go card and the rest of the fare system works in brisbane, I have more questions then I did when I started, but I did come accross this forum as a place that might have some answers.

I'm traveling to Brisbane from NZ and am going to be here for 2weeks. We (x2) plan to be going out every day we are here, and will probably mainly travel between fare stage 1 and 2. However, we also plan to buy an unlimited pass for Wet n Wild, which is in zone 10, and will probably go there at a least 3 or 4 times within that fortnight.

Given that we will be going out a lot, it seems like our best transport option would be to buy a weekly transport pass, however I'm not sure how that will tie in when we want to make a trip to the theme park.

So, here are my questions:

1) Should I use Go card, or Weekly, or Daily, or a mixture of Go Card and Weekly

2) Can I use my Weekly pass on the trains and ferries and buses?

3) Is it going to make it more complicated if I don't have a go card?

4) Can I use my daily to get the bus to the edge of the Zone 2 region, and then use a go card to travel the rest of the way to Zone 10? Or is there no cost benefit?

5) We are going to be staying in Calamvale. What fare zone is this in? From the map I can't tell if its in zone 2 or 3.

Thankyou to anyone that might be able to help

[#Metro]

Hi,

You can use any paper ticket or a weekly on any Translink service (pretty much everything). So this is any bus, train or ferry in South East Queensland.
Translink's site has info www.translink.com.au or call 13 12 30, the fares are there as well.

[ozbob]

Welcome Willuknight!

As paper prices have increased in cost much greater relative to go card, and as your travel will be not be the regular commute my advice is to use the go card.  

You can order via mail in advance if you wish and have it all ready to go the moment you arrive.  

The big advantage of the go card is that you don't have to pre-plan your journeys as you do if purchase a weekly, and only pay for what you actually do in terms of journeys.  

Go card guide and application forms etc.  --> http://www.translink.com.au/go_downloads.php

It is just a matter of ensuring your touch on and touch off.  Check out the videos on the TransLink web site.

Calamvale is zone 5.

Enjoy your stay!

Regards
Bob

[somebody]

The Go Card is generally cheaper for less than 12-14 trips/week.  The big advantage is flexibility: you can do 2 trips/week to the Gold Coast, and only pay for the trips you do. If you've got a weekly for 10 zones, you'd be paying for a lot of trips that you aren't using.

The only real problem with what Ozbob has suggested is that what are you going to do with your Go! card after your trip?  Are you happy to keep it until next time you visit our city, or do you want your money back afterwards?

[ozbob]

Refund options are detailed here --> http://download.translink.com.au/go/090301_cancellationstransferrefund.pdf

This is one aspect that needs improvement.

[Willuknight]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I'm really looking forward to experiancing your public transport system here

It sounds like I'm definately better off using the go card - Which is a shame, because I really enjoy having an unlimited travel pass but *shrug*

Will I need one go card each or can my fiancee and I share one card?

How long does it take for a card to arrive to an australian address when you order it online?

[stephenk]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I'm really looking forward to experiancing your public transport system here

It sounds like I'm definately better off using the go card - Which is a shame, because I really enjoy having an unlimited travel pass but *shrug*

Will I need one go card each or can my fiancee and I share one card?

You will need one each.

If you travel 3 or more journeys in one day, with more than an hour between journeys, buy a daily paper ticket and don't use the Go-Card on that day.

I would advise getting a theme park pass that allows you into Warner Bros Movie World, Sea World, and Wet'n'Wild, rather than just Wet'n'Wild. They are all owned by the same company.

[somebody]

If you travel 3 or more journeys in one day, with more than an hour between journeys, buy a daily paper ticket and don't use the Go-Card on that day.

Only if you aren't going to qualify for the frequent user discount, and all those 3 trips are in the same sets of zones.  It would be less hassle to stick with one system.

[ozbob]

You will need two go cards, one each.

Not sure how long for the post but ring TransLink on +61 131230 is your best bet.  I would allow plenty of time.

Cheers
Bob

[Willuknight]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I'm really looking forward to experiancing your public transport system here

It sounds like I'm definately better off using the go card - Which is a shame, because I really enjoy having an unlimited travel pass but *shrug*

Will I need one go card each or can my fiancee and I share one card?

You will need one each.

If you travel 3 or more journeys in one day, with more than an hour between journeys, buy a daily paper ticket and don't use the Go-Card on that day.

I would advise getting a theme park pass that allows you into Warner Bros Movie World, Sea World, and Wet'n'Wild, rather than just Wet'n'Wild. They are all owned by the same company.

We're getting the Endless summer passes, unlimited entry to Wet n Wild and Movie World ^_^ My partner says that Seaworld is meh, though I would like to see the mono rail.

[longboi]

You will need two go cards, one each.

Not sure how long for the post but ring TransLink on +61 131230 is your best bet.  I would allow plenty of time.

Cheers
Bob

If you're interstate or overseas the number for TransLink is +61 7 3215 5000

[stephenk]

My partner says that Seaworld is meh, though I would like to see the mono rail.

Jet Rescue rollercoaster at Seaworld is well worth the visit.