17 Aug 2011: SEQ: Urgent actions are needed to restore confidence ...

[ozbob]

Media release 17 August 2011

SEQ: Urgent actions are needed to restore confidence in public transport ticketing system

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has called for urgent action to address the loss of public confidence in the ticketing systems for public transport in south-east Queensland (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"This past week has seen the result of inaction and a lack of attention to detail concatenate into a loss of confidence by many in the go card system, and the Great Ekka Ticket Meltdown of 2011 has not helped!  Further, the lack of positive initiatives for tourists and visitors has also been highlighted (2)"

"Many go card users are now in a further heightened state of anxiety that they will be next for a fare evasion offence through no fault of their own."

"RAIL Back On Track has long sought proper written clarification of when go card users are permitted to travel for free as a result of not being unable to touch.  For example, if readers are out on the platform of departure or concourse as appropriate it is reasonable to expect hundreds of commuters to run from platform to platform in a desperate search to find a functional go card reader?  No, it is not!"

"The ticketing fiasco at this years Ekka was predictable (1).  RAIL Back On Track and others suggested to TransLink that this would occur but our pleas were ignored."

"It is essential that improvements to the go card fare structure, improved communication concerning conditions of use of the go card, and pro-active public transport management is implemented forthwith.  The travelling public is fed-up with the gut-full of failure.  Spin, blunder and bluster won't do it, what will, is direct positive action to restore confidence."

References:

1. 29 Apr 2011: SEQ: Will the 2011 Ekka be a public transport enlightenment? http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5867.0

2. 9 Jan 2011: SEQ: Fare changes impact on tourists http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5215.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org