'free travel' for events - discussion

[ozbob]

A discussion point arose today in this context.  A radio announcer light heartedly was reading out the TransLink info about travel being free for those with tickets to the SOO game, and had a crack at Blues fans travelling for free to the game tonight (why should maroons be subisidising blues?).

Passengers in possession of a pre-purchased event ticket can travel free to and from games at Suncorp Stadium on all regular network wide Brisbane Transport bus services and Queensland Rail services from 12 noon until last scheduled service of the day (excludes RailBus and Brisbane City Council Ferries).

It was pointed out that large event organisers do pay some money for the public transport, and so in fact the ticket price does include a public transport element, so technically not free.  

Perhaps better would be:

Passengers in possession of a pre-purchased event ticket can travel free to and from games at Suncorp Stadium on all regular network wide Brisbane Transport bus services and Queensland Rail services from 12 noon until last scheduled service of the day simply by showing their game ticket.

Anyone know how much money is actually paid for the public transport?  Big question I know, but it is never made available publicly.  The old 'commercial in confidence' would no doubt be raised.

[dwb]

I would think Sports Qld who run Suncorp would pay the operation cost only to TL to pay operators for those shuttles.

[Jonno]

It is run by Stadiums Queensland not Sports Queensland

[STB]

In general, the event organizer pays for the PT, and the level of PT is based on the expected crowd at said event, which is provided by the event organizer.   And yes, the ticket price you pay for the event that has free public transport provided is automatically included in the ticket entry price.  For the public though the PT is marketed as 'free' - in reality, you've already paid for it via the event organizer.

In terms of actual costs, I have no idea.  This would be kept commercial-in-confidence between TL and the event organizer.

[dwb]

In general, the event organizer pays for the PT, and the level of PT is based on the expected crowd at said event, which is provided by the event organizer.   And yes, the ticket price you pay for the event that has free public transport provided is automatically included in the ticket entry price.  For the public though the PT is marketed as 'free' - in reality, you've already paid for it via the event organizer.

In terms of actual costs, I have no idea.  This would be kept commercial-in-confidence between TL and the event organizer.

I actually tend to think Airport train should be run in a similar way - add $5 to the airport tax then bring the train fares back to zone 2 or 3. Airtrain would earn more cos everyone would be paying the tax. It could be tied to a minimum frequency for no of scheduled flights or some such.

[Mr X]

Why should people have to pay for a service they're not using though?

[Golliwog]

Why should people have to pay for a service they're not using though?

Because they should be using it? Public transport makes a lot of sense for events. You have a large number of people, all trying to get to the one location.

Can you honestly tell me that an event ticket for a footy match would be the only time you've bought something where its come with something else "free" and you haven't used that free thing?

[dwb]

Why should people have to pay for a service they're not using though?

Contribute, not pay. Because that's the way our society works, because they gain a benefit from it, need I go on?

[Cam]

I actually tend to think Airport train should be run in a similar way - add $5 to the airport tax then bring the train fares back to zone 2 or 3. Airtrain would earn more cos everyone would be paying the tax. It could be tied to a minimum frequency for no of scheduled flights or some such.

Sounds like a good idea to me. If this was implemented, I would mostly catch the train to Brisbane Airport rather than driving to the Gold Coast Airport or getting dropped off/picked up from Brisbane Airport.

[O_128]

Why should people have to pay for a service they're not using though?

Why should I have to pay for teenagers to have kids?

Chances are its only $2 added to the ticket so it covers the cost of the transport and makes it easier for everyone, I like the idea for the airport as well, patronage would easily double if it were normal fares.


Any word on what happened when the transport minister spoke to them last year?

[somebody]

I actually tend to think Airport train should be run in a similar way - add $5 to the airport tax then bring the train fares back to zone 2 or 3. Airtrain would earn more cos everyone would be paying the tax. It could be tied to a minimum frequency for no of scheduled flights or some such.

That's a good suggestion.  It wouldn't even have to be $5.

And far cheap than the road upgrades around the airport.  Although I would wonder how the airport/airlines could be forced to pay for this.  I don't think it could be done with state legislation as the airports are a federal responsibility.

[O_128]

I actually tend to think Airport train should be run in a similar way - add $5 to the airport tax then bring the train fares back to zone 2 or 3. Airtrain would earn more cos everyone would be paying the tax. It could be tied to a minimum frequency for no of scheduled flights or some such.

That's a good suggestion.  It wouldn't even have to be $5.

And far cheap than the road upgrades around the airport.  Although I would wonder how the airport/airlines could be forced to pay for this.  I don't think it could be done with state legislation as the airports are a federal responsibility.

BAC could charge it.

[somebody]

They could, but why would they want to?

[dwb]

They could, but why would they want to?

I don't really know who is responsible for these sorts of things, but if it were a $2.50 charge, perhaps BAC could get 50c?

And when is someone going to build a station at Airport Drive One??

[somebody]

I don't really know who is responsible for these sorts of things, but if it were a $2.50 charge, perhaps BAC could get 50c?

Why don't they just charge the $2.50 and pocket it then?

The proposed change could only be done if the feds want to play ball.

And when is someone going to build a station at Airport Drive One??

Hopefully only when there is duplication either Eagle Junction-Airport Drive One or Airport Drive One-International.

Other than that, the station would be a very unattractive proposition.

I think these issues mean the station is a non starter.