Premier Statement: Bligh announces Easter bonus for go card-ers

[ozbob]

Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
13/03/2008

Bligh announces Easter bonus for go card-ers

All go card users will enjoy free travel on TransLink buses, trains and ferries over the Easter long weekend, Premier Anna Bligh announced in Parliament today.

Ms Bligh said the four-day promotion was both a thank-you to current go card patrons and an incentive for more people to try the new technology.

"Since the system came on-line in January, more than 27,000 commuters have started using go card and are enjoying the convenience of the integrated ticket.

"As a thank-you to these 'pioneers' and as an incentive to anyone considering giving it a try - we will offer free public transport to go card holders on any bus, train* or ferry across the TransLink network from midnight, Thursday 20 March until midnight Monday, 24 March.

"go card holders won't need to touch on or off - just present your card a free ride. It's that simple.

"Whether you're taking your family to South Bank for a barbeque, having a ladies day out at Eagle Farm for the Easter Picnic Race Day, or heading to one of the theme parks on the Gold Coast - your Easter go card trip is on us," she said.

Transport Minister John Mickel said while the go card uptake was off to a great start, he hoped this promotion would see more people give the new system a go.

"We expect south-east Queenslanders to take more than 270,000 journeys across the TransLink network over the Easter break, and this promotion is a great excuse to purchase a go card to see if it suits your needs," Mr Mickel said.

"As always, the paper ticket system will still be available, but only go card holders will get a free ride so I urge south-east Queenslanders to get their go card in coming weeks to take advantage of the free travel."

Based on expected patronage and the percentage of go card users, the promotion will deliver an estimated $50,000 worth of free travel across the south-east over four days.

go cards can be purchased online, over the phone, at selected QR Citytrain stations and at 130 retailers across South East Queensland.

For more information visit www.translink.com.au/go or phone the TransLink on 13 12 30.
*excludes airtrain.

Thursday, 13 March 2008

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[ozbob]

A good move!  Thanks!!

A full roll out of differential fare pricing for early and off peak would make my day!! 

For example touch on from first service in the morning till 6.30am, free:  touch on from 6.30am to 7am 50% then normal fares.  This would help to move some commuters to early peak services making a little more room for others.  Employers need to be encouraged to allow employees where possible to have more flexible work hours to take advantage of initiatives as cheap / free early bird travel too!

It is a good news day!! 

[ozbob]

Media Release 13 March 2008

SEQ:  Easter bonus free travel for Go Card users very welcome!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org)  a web based community support group for rail and advocate for public transport commuters has thanked the Queensland Government for the very welcome free travel over Easter for Go Card users.

Robert Dow spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

?Commuters using the Go card are indeed pioneers and it is great that the Queensland Government has announced free travel over Easter for Go card users.?

?Thank you!?

?In time, RAIL Back On Track would like to see differential fare pricing during peak periods and off peak travel introduced on the Go card?

?For example touch on from first service in the morning on ferries bus and trains till 6.30am, free:  touch on from 6.30am to 7am 50%: then normal fares.  This would help to move some commuters to early peak services making a little more room for others.  Employers need to be encouraged to allow employees where possible to have more flexible work hours to take advantage of initiatives as cheap / free early bird travel too!?

?The Go card provides the perfect mechanism for free early bird travel and differential fare pricing.?

?It has been a good week for public transport commuters!?

Contact:

Robert Dow

admin@backontrack.org
Administration RAIL Back On Track

[Derwan]

Great idea but...

"go card holders won't need to touch on or off - just present your card a free ride. It's that simple.

We have this great technological system but we're relying on people to be informed and remember NOT to touch on/off.  Transit officers and bus drives will need to be properly informed that it is happening this way.

If it was a truly advanced system, they could simply set up a 100% discount for the 4 days so that people who still touched on/off would not be charged a fare for the journey.

[ozbob]

Yes, it is a possible point of confusion. I hope that folks who actually touch during this period are refunded their fares.

I too would hope that this would be possible (auto no charge) but perhaps the algorithms are still being evaluated.  We have been told there are further fare options coming so I expect that they are still in a development phase.

I am only guessing here, but maybe, just maybe the system is being taken off line over Easter for upgrades/software validation or something?

[Huggies]

Might have to goto Gympie Nth and back  .

[Fares_Fair]

Great idea Huggies,

You will save heaps ! 
Certainly much, much more than a paper ticket.

Well done.
You could also head to Robina on the Gold Coast if you get time. 

[ozbob]

My dear wife and I might to to Gympie too!   

Or perhaps a day out on the Gold Coast, and check out work going on that line.

Or maybe fish and chips at Cleveland.

Or maybe the tram museum at Ferny Grove, and check out the new duplication works on the way out.

Or maybe go to Rosewood and the ARHS.

Heck, so many choices might do the entire network for an update 

Easter timetable -->  http://www.translink.com.au/qt/translin.nsf/index/sc_easter_mar08

[ozbob]

From http://www.translink.com.au/qt/translin.nsf/index/sc_go_easter_08

enjoy an extra Easter treat on go card

During Easter, go card users can travel for free on all bus, train and ferry services across the TransLink network (excluding Airtrain).

Free travel applies from midnight Thursday 20 March until midnight Monday 24 March 2008 for go card users only.

TransLink go card users need to show their go card to the bus driver, QR station staff or ferry masters to travel for free during the Easter go card promotion.

TransLink go card users do not need to touch on or touch off during the Easter go card promotion. In the event that you do mistakenly touch on or touch off the amount can be refunded by calling TransLink on 13 12 30, if your card is registered.

[ozbob]

Courier Mail story Free travel over Easter on integrated ticketing system

Brisbane times story Go card 'pioneers' travel free over Easter

[Huggies]

I wonder if the free travel will include Surfside & Laidley Bus Service since you only need to show your card and not Touch on / Touch Off.

[ozbob]

I rang TL  Surfside and Laidley  are  included for the free Go travel over Easter.

(If you travel into NSW on Surfside bus fare is payable from the border).

[ozbob]

My Easter is looking like this:

Friday, Ferny Grove Shorncliffe and Cleveland.

Saturday Gold Coast

Sunday Gympie North (see http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=624.0 )

Monday Rosewood, and possible  trip out to the races.

[ozbob]

So far have I checked out Ferny Grove, Shorncliffe and Cleveland lines on Friday 21 Mar 2008.

Saturday 22 Mar 2008 went to Robina, and then Doomben.

Sunday plan to go to Gympie North.

Monday Rosewood.

That will then cover all the present interurban network!

My wife came on Friday, and she and the inlaws all went to Coast today too with me on the up trip. They spent all day travelling around on the buses down the coast and enjoyed their ride home on a new IMU.  I came back earlier and went to Doomben 

BUT they said we like the Go card when it is free, but will be buying our weeklies next week!