29 Oct 2010: SEQ: Go card, go card, paper ...

[ozbob]

Media Release 29 October 2010

SEQ:  Go card, go card, paper ...

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 welcomed the announcement of the journey capping for the go card for Seniors (red go card) and those users who use a green concession go card through a pension entitlement (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"RAIL Back On Track is delighted that Seniors and pensioners will now have a journey cap on their public daily public transport use.  This means that these users can make multiple daily journeys and only pay for the first two.  This is important as this constituency does the greatest number of daily journeys as they go about their daily commitments and tough financial times have meant that many Seniors and pensioners have restricted their outings since the implementation of the fare structure on 4th January last. That was not acceptable and we are pleased that journey capping is to be introduced from 17th January 2011 for Seniors with a red go card and pensioners using the green go card."

"Having said that, we call for the journey capping to extended to ALL green concession go card users from the 17th January 2011.  Students are the other constituency that do proportionally more daily journeys.  They are in many cases 'learner earners' and they need to undertake multiple daily journeys in the course of their study and often part-time employment. They too do it tough."

"The abandonment of the limited use go card is sensible considering that the a paper alternative will be continued.  Single paper tickets are an acceptable alternative for limited use, however we call for increased education, publicity, and availability of go cards particularly with an emphasis for easy purchase by tourists."

"RAIL Back On Track has constantly called for a capping system to be brought in for Seniors.  We have also called for improved capping and periodical options to be extended to all go card users.  Other smart card jurisdictions have these capping and periodical options and we think that this should be further considered by Government and TransLink.  Clearly, capping algorithms are possible with the go card.  Why not drive public transport use to reap the whole of community benefits?"

"We note that the planned fare increases are to proceed and that the off peak discount is to rise to 15%.  We think that a greater off peak differential is needed to further drive shift away from peak services and better utilisation off peak services.  Recently the ADC Forum suggested free off peak travel was needed universally (2).  This highlights the conservative approach by Queensland is out of whack with contemporary thinking.  Increase the off peak discount to 30% which is line with previous off peak discounts in Queensland and this will actually lead to an improved fare box and better utilisation of off peak services."

"We are very grateful that Seniors and other pensioners will now have the availability of capped daily public transport travel in south-east Queensland and thank the Queensland Government and TransLink."


References:

1. http://www.translink.com.au/farechange2011.php

2. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/10/22/3045762.htm?section=justin


Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

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