8 July 2010: SEQ: Suggestions for the remaining 'free' go cards

[ozbob]

Media Release 8 July 2010

SEQ: Suggestions for the remaining 'free' go cards

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 it appears that the 400,000 go card distribution with $10 credit will result in around 50% of the go cards not being claimed.  This provides an opportunity to keep more go cards back for Seniors and other disadvantaged groups, and make a limited travel quantum available for registered go card users as of the 18th June 2010.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The major issue with the go card is the failure of the fare structure to provide capping and periodical options. This is of much concern in view of the phase out of paper tickets at the end of the year. The failure of the 'free' go card distribution also highlights that better frequency of public transport is needed to drive change, rather than attempt to 'buy' new users (1). The major issue with public transport in south-east Queensland is the poor rail frequency, particularly off peak."

"It does seem over 200,000 go cards will be left over.  We suggest that 100,000 go cards be kept for Seniors and other disadvantaged users for future distribution.  The remaining travel quantum be available to registered go card users as of the 18th June 2010.  A simple online claim process could be put in place.  This would recognise the efforts of these registered users in proving the go card system."

Reference:

1. 19 June 2010: SEQ: Go card give away misses the bus http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3981.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Discussion thread on the go card give away --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3979.0

[ozbob]

Follow up:

12th July 2010

Greetings,

Breaking news the 'free' go card distribution to continue.  How about keeping the remaining cards for Seniors and other disadvantaged groups?  Acknowledge the contribution by registered users these past two years.  Slapping them  in the face by excluding them is not smart at all.  Forget the rhetoric, facts speak for themselves.  The distribution has been a flop.

Best wishes
Robert

=========

Media Release 8 July 2010
 
SEQ:  Suggestions for the remaining 'free' go cards

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 it appears that the 400,000 go card distribution with $10 credit will result in around 50% of the go cards not being claimed.  This provides an opportunity to keep more go cards back for Seniors and other disadvantaged groups, and make a limited travel quantum available for registered go card users as of the 18th June 2010.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The major issue with the go card is the failure of the fare structure to provide capping and periodical options. This is of much concern in view of the phase out of paper tickets at the end of the year. The failure of the 'free' go card distribution also highlights that better frequency of public transport is needed to drive change, rather than attempt to 'buy' new users (1). The major issue with public transport in south-east Queensland is the poor rail frequency, particularly off peak."

"It does seem over 200,000 go cards will be left over.  We suggest that 100,000 go cards be kept for Seniors and other disadvantaged users for future distribution.  The remaining travel quantum be available to registered go card users as of the 18th June 2010.  A simple online claim process could be put in place.  This would recognise the efforts of these registered users in proving the go card system."

Reference:

1. 19 June 2010: SEQ: Go card give away misses the bus http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3981.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Follow up:

13th July 2010

Greetings,

One of our members enquired of TransLink as to why they were not eligible for a free go card with $10 on it.

This is the response received after some delay:

"Thank you for contacting TransLink regarding the go card giveaway.  I apologise for the delay in responding to you.


I can assure you that if you already have a go card you have saved money, as you are being charged less that a paper ticket price for the journey.


The promotion is open to all residents of Queensland who do not already have a TransLink go card to encourage more people to use public transport.


We hope that this information has been of assistance to you.
 
Kind regards"

What a meaningless and in my opinion an insulting response.  To assert a present go card user has saved money relative to the obscene fare cost increases in paper (which have left many pensioners reeling from the cost impacts for example)  and this then justifies their exclusion is outrageous.  Many go card users have spent a lot time and money on phone calls trying to negotiate fixed fare refunds via a hopeless administrative support processes. Fortunately this has finally been improved with the recent online addition, why this wasn't in place from day one of the roll-out is rather mysterious isn't it?  Many go card users have suffered the impact of fixed fares due to faulty equipment and poorly designed user interfaces.  The failure to properly acknowledge the contribution by the current go card users has been a public relations disaster.  Only yesterday a group of Senior citizens were complaining to me they CANNOT READ THE SCREENS!

The fact that the free go card distribution has been extended just further highlights how botched it is.  Keep the go cards for disadvantaged users, they have suffered enough already.

Community resentment is now significant.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track

RAIL Back On Track Admin wrote:
12th July 2010

Greetings,

Breaking news the 'free' go card distribution to continue.  How about keeping the remaining cards for Seniors and other disadvantaged groups?  Acknowledge the contribution by registered users these past two years.  Slapping them  in the face by excluding them is not smart at all.  Forget the rhetoric, facts speak for themselves.  The distribution has been a flop.

Best wishes
Robert


RAIL Back On Track Admin wrote:
Media Release 8 July 2010
 
SEQ:  Suggestions for the remaining 'free' go cards

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 it appears that the 400,000 go card distribution with $10 credit will result in around 50% of the go cards not being claimed.  This provides an opportunity to keep more go cards back for Seniors and other disadvantaged groups, and make a limited travel quantum available for registered go card users as of the 18th June 2010.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The major issue with the go card is the failure of the fare structure to provide capping and periodical options. This is of much concern in view of the phase out of paper tickets at the end of the year. The failure of the 'free' go card distribution also highlights that better frequency of public transport is needed to drive change, rather than attempt to 'buy' new users (1). The major issue with public transport in south-east Queensland is the poor rail frequency, particularly off peak."

"It does seem over 200,000 go cards will be left over.  We suggest that 100,000 go cards be kept for Seniors and other disadvantaged users for future distribution.  The remaining travel quantum be available to registered go card users as of the 18th June 2010.  A simple online claim process could be put in place.  This would recognise the efforts of these registered users in proving the go card system."

Reference:

1. 19 June 2010: SEQ: Go card give away misses the bus http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3981.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org