Article: Ticket system stalls

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From Gold Coast.com.au click here!

Ticket system stalls

Ticket system stalls

Sue Lappeman

14Mar08

THE NSW Government is once again putting at risk the introduction of a cross-border transport initiative that would be of major benefit to residents in NSW and Queensland.

In a standoff reminiscent of the Tugun bypass impasse, stalled negotiations between Surfside Buslines and the NSW Government over cross-border revenue sharing is threatening to delay the introduction of the Go Card integrated ticketing system on the Gold Coast.

An angry Queensland Transport Minister John Mickel is now demanding a meeting with his NSW counterpart in a bid to force a resolution.

The NSW Government infamously delayed the start of construction on the Tugun bypass for several years as it either haggled over environmental issues and the maintenance costs or seemingly just lost interest in the road, which will be of major benefit to its residents when it finally opens mid-year.

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Mr Mickel said yesterday Surfside Buslines had been trying to negotiate a new agreement with the NSW Government over the proportion of the fare it should receive for cross-border passenger trips.

Train users can already use the Go Card for journeys between Brisbane and the Gold Coast because the rail service stops at Robina.

But the contract needs to be signed to ensure the fare structure before its planned introduction on Surfside buses to the border mid-year.

Mr Mickel has now threatened to cut the service off at the border.

"I am at the stage now of saying that if Surfside Buslines can't do the deal with the NSW Government I am prepared to say we will just have it to the Queensland border," he said.

"If this is going to be protracted why should Queenslanders be disadvantaged?

"We were offering it so there wouldn't be any inconvenience but I have to draw the line.

"If the discussions are too protracted, I am going to favour Queenslanders first."

He said installation of the card readers and drivers' terminals on the buses would continue in the hope the dispute would be settled by the time the card is introduced.

The Government yesterday also announced it would allow Go Card holders free travel on TransLink buses, trains and ferries over the Easter long weekend.

Premier Anna Bligh said it was both a thank you to current Go Card patrons and an incentive for more people to try the new technology.

"They will not need to swipe on or off; just present their card for a free ride," she said.