8 Dec 2010: SEQ: Have I completed a go card trip or a journey?

[ozbob]

Media Release 8 December 2010

SEQ:  Have I completed a go card trip or a journey?

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 previously welcomed the free travel journey cap after two journeys for Seniors and some pensioners (1), but has highlighted need to explain in detail how the journey capping actually works.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"There are significant fare and ticketing changes on the TransLink public transport network from the 17th of January 2011 (2). There is a new daily journey go card cap on fares for Seniors, Pension Concession Card holders and Repatriation Health Care Card (Gold Card) holders which means after two journeys are made in one day all additional journeys are free."

"It is clear from discussions and feedback that many go card users are not clear on what the journey cap means and how it works."

"A journey is comprised of up to 4 trips on buses, trains and ferries in a row over a maximum 5 hour period, with no more than a 1 hour break between each trip. A trip on a particular mode begins when you touch on, and ends when you touch off. So, if more than 1 hour elapses after your last touch off, the journey is counted as finished, and your next touch on will initiate a new journey."

"The free travel for those so entitled only occurs after two completed journeys are made in a day."

"We would like to see the journey capping extended to all concession go card users to include full time university students and school children."

References:

1. 31 October 2010 SEQ: Go card journey capping for students?   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4752.0

2. http://www.translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/fares/changes-to-fares-and-ticketing-in-2011

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Discussion thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4736.0

[ozbob]

Media Release 8 December 2010 re-released 9 January 2011

SEQ:  Have I completed a go card trip or a journey?

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 previously welcomed the free travel journey cap after two journeys for Seniors and some pensioners (1), but has highlighted need to explain in detail how the journey capping actually works.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"There are significant fare and ticketing changes on the TransLink public transport network from the 17th of January 2011 (2). There is a new daily journey go card cap on fares for Seniors, Pension Concession Card holders and Repatriation Health Care Card (Gold Card) holders which means after two journeys are made in one day all additional journeys are free."

"It is clear from discussions and feedback that many go card users are not clear on what the journey cap means and how it works."

"A journey is comprised of up to 4 trips on buses, trains and ferries in a row over a maximum 5 hour period, with no more than a 1 hour break between each trip. A trip on a particular mode begins when you touch on, and ends when you touch off. So, if more than 1 hour elapses after your last touch off, the journey is counted as finished, and your next touch on will initiate a new journey."

"The free travel for those so entitled only occurs after two completed journeys are made in a day."

"We would like to see the journey capping extended to all concession go card users to include full time university students and school children."

References:

1. 31 October 2010 SEQ: Go card journey capping for students?   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4752.0

2. http://www.translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/fares/changes-to-fares-and-ticketing-in-2011

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

23 January 2011

Greetings,

Big day tomorrow for the public transport network.  Go card rules ...

To help the late converters we have compiled the 'Smart GO CARD User Guide' - some useful tips for users, see --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5149.0

Still much confusion out there in public transport land regarding the difference between go card journeys and trips.

Media Release 8 December 2010
 
SEQ:  Have I completed a go card trip or a journey?

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 previously welcomed the free travel journey cap after two journeys for Seniors and some pensioners (1), but has highlighted need to explain in detail how the journey capping actually works.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"There are significant fare and ticketing changes on the TransLink public transport network from the 17th of January 2011 (2). There is a new daily journey go card cap on fares for Seniors, Pension Concession Card holders and Repatriation Health Care Card (Gold Card) holders which means after two journeys are made in one day all additional journeys are free."

"It is clear from discussions and feedback that many go card users are not clear on what the journey cap means and how it works."

"A journey is comprised of up to 4 trips on buses, trains and ferries in a row over a maximum 5 hour period, with no more than a 1 hour break between each trip. A trip on a particular mode begins when you touch on, and ends when you touch off. So, if more than 1 hour elapses after your last touch off, the journey is counted as finished, and your next touch on will initiate a new journey."

"The free travel for those so entitled only occurs after two completed journeys are made in a day."

"We would like to see the journey capping extended to all concession go card users to include full time university students and school children."

References:

1. 31 October 2010 SEQ: Go card journey capping for students?   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4752.0

2. http://www.translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/fares/changes-to-fares-and-ticketing-in-2011

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

The  loss of the ferry system is going to put more pressure on the public transport system and roads.  The roads are damaged, the fare increases may drive some back on the roads.  School commencing this week.

Circumstances have conspired to generate an almost a perfect storm against public transport and road transport.

1.  Fare increase - alternative fares for paper very expensive (influences non regular users in particular travel choices).

2.  Damaged roads

3.  Shell shocked community

4.  Poor service frequency for rail

5.  Fixation on radial routes

6.  Poor feeder bus arrangements overall

7.  Ferry system out of action

8.  No special ticket option for tourists

9.  TransLink network plan not properly implemented

Encouragement to broaden the peaks is needed, this must be supported with more public transport services of course.  Peak capacity on bus and rail does not have much more room to move, but it would be possible to broaden the peaks with more high frequency services, coupled with incentive ticketing. This would assist in managing the congestion and chaos.

Good luck!

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org