17 Dec 2011: SEQ: Go card pays for itself ..

[ozbob]

Media release 17 December 2011

SEQ: Go card pays for itself ..

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 said that the latest TransLink Tracker (1) indicates that around 80% of trips on the public transport are now being done on go card.

RAIL Back On Track would like to see this figure increase to > 95% of all trips across the entire network.

RAIL Back On Track Member Gavin Seipelt said:

"Greater uptake of go card benefits everybody. The benefits to bus travellers are significant, as delays are often caused by disorganised passengers fumbling for coins when buying paper tickets. This will become a thing of the past as go card usage increases. Running costs of the network will be reduced as less labour hours will be spent counting coins and travelling across the network stocking machines with rolls of paper. It also enables better collection of patronage data, which will hopefully lead to better services."

"However, there is a perception among many infrequent users that it is 'not worth' buying a go card."

Here are the facts.

A Go Card can be acquired for $5,and the credit never expires (Though the card must be renewed every 10 years) The initial $5 is refundable should you leave Brisbane for good, or no longer want the card. Even the most infrequent user is sure to use their first round of credit in the space of a decade!

The savings are significant compared to paper single tickets (Minimum of 30% every trip). The lower cost of administering an electronic system is the primary reason go card fares are cheaper.

At present, a go card pays for itself in:

- Four, 1 zone journeys.

- Three, 3 zone journeys.

- Two, 7 zone journeys.

- Immediately if your trip is 16 zones or longer.

"The message is, if you are going to use public transport at least 4 times over the next decade, you'll save money with a go card." Gavin Seipelt concluded.

Robert Dow RAIL Back On Track Spokesman said:

"Our recent Public Transport Passenger Survey indicated that high use public transport passengers are using go cards for around 95% of their trips (2).  This is what TransLink now needs to be aiming for across the entire system and for all users at a minimum.  From the 2nd January 2012, there is free travel after 10 journeys achieved in the Monday to Sunday week on a go card (3). Off peak fare discount will go to 20%. It is now even more important that all citizens  think go card when thinking public transport!"

References:

1.   http://translink.com.au/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/annual-and-quarterly-reports

2.   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7144.0

3.   http://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/fares/changes-to-fares-and-ticketing-in-2012

Contacts:

Gavin Seipelt
RAIL Back On Track Member

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