Opposition Statement: Just 58 days to create new go card lite

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http://www.fionasimpson.com.au/Pages/Article.aspx?ID=791

Just 58 days to create new go card lite

Friday, 8 October 2010

Transport Minister Rachael Nolan has just 58 business days to create, distribute and promote the short-term go cards before paper tickets are to be phased out, the LNP said today.

LNP Shadow Minister for Transport Fiona Simpson said work on the new cards and flexible fare options needed to shift into high gear if the Bligh Labor Government wanted to avoid the same problems that plagued the public transport system earlier this year.

"When the higher paper ticket prices were introduced on January 4, this long-term Labor Government wasn't ready but Minister Nolan refused to alter her deadline," Ms Simpson said.

"Commuters had trouble acquiring, topping up and using their go cards because of a lack of machines, outlets and continual system failures.

"Despite these failures and the corresponding dive in commuter numbers Minister Nolan has refused to admit she'd made a mistake and now it appears Queenslanders will suffer the same horrible start to next year."

Ms Simpson said some of the 6.3 million tourists that visit South East Queensland each year would be left stranded at train stations, kicked off buses and jettisoned from City Cats for not having an appropriate go card.

"Many visitors to South East Queensland find buying a weekly paper ticket a great way to explore the region," she said.

"Unless the Minister admits she was wrong and backs down, these visitors will not have this option – nor will they be able to buy a standard paper ticket.

"We have already seen the number of commuters drop on rail services since the Bligh Labor Government went ahead with their go card push, the damage prematurely cancelling paper tickets could cause is very concerning.

"I urge the Minister to admit her mistake, to reveal where the roll out of these cards is at and to promise South East Queenslanders and visitors she will not cut out paper tickets until the entire system is in place."

TransLink Annual Report – Description of services to be delivered -

TransLink is developing a number of exciting new go card initiatives to meet the needs of customer groups such as businesses, tourists and infrequent public transport users.

This will support the planned removal of legacy paper tickets at the end of 2010.

These include:

Trial of a new corporate go card product, developed in response to research conducted with a number of major employers in South East Queensland that can be used by multiple individuals for business travel purposes.

Developing options to supply organisations with a large number of go cards to provide to staff through a company arrangement.

Ongoing negotiations with the university sector to provide co-branded ID cards/go cards to students. The cards will have a staged implementation over time that may eventually include co-locating an additional security application on the cards.

Developing a Seniors Card with inbuilt go card functionality, in partnership with the Department of Communities.

Developing a tourist product to meet the specific travel needs of short-term visitors