9 Jan 2012: SEQ: Call to step-up go card education campaign

[ozbob]

Media release 9 January 2012

SEQ:  Call to step-up go card education campaign

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 previously highlighted the excessive cost of paper single tickets relative to the go card (1). A stepped-up user education campaign is needed to help passengers reduce the cost of their public transport travel.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"It is important that public transport passengers understand that there are many advantages for them personally, and community wide, to move to the go card for their public transport travel."

"There are very considerable cost savings to be made by using a go card relative to paper single tickets, and bus loading times are markedly improved.  Both excellent outcomes (2)."

"RAIL Back On Track Members have suggested that bus drivers be given an information sheet on the go card, which they can give to paper ticket buyers on the buses.  A community wide education campaign is needed to be particularly targeted on the Sunshine Coast, the area with the lowest use of go card at present."

"There is much community unrest directed at the latest round of fare increases. The recent introduction of the free travel after 10 paid journeys using a go card in the Monday to Sunday week does allow many users to offset travel costs.  More improvements are needed to the fare structure though. The present off peak discount of 20% should be increased to a minimum of 30%. The two journey daily cap for Seniors and some DVA pensioners needs extending to all Health Care Card Holders.  Queensland is the only state in Australia that does not extend concession travel to all Health Care Card holders, a most unsatisfactory situation."

References:

1.   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7376.msg82080#msg82080

2.   Using the new go card fare structure optimally  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7374.0

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

26 January 2012

SEQ:  Call to step-up go card education campaign

Greetings,

Happy Australia Day!  Off peak fares today on the TransLink network for go card users.  Today is a gazetted public holiday.

Another reason to give very expensive paper single tickets the flick!

Best wishes
Robert

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

========================================


Media release 9 January 2012 re-released 26 January 2012

SEQ:  Call to step-up go card education campaign

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 previously highlighted the excessive cost of paper single tickets relative to the go card (1). A stepped-up user education campaign is needed to help passengers reduce the cost of their public transport travel.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"It is important that public transport passengers understand that there are many advantages for them personally, and community wide, to move to the go card for their public transport travel."

"There are very considerable cost savings to be made by using a go card relative to paper single tickets, and bus loading times are markedly improved.  Both excellent outcomes (2)."

"RAIL Back On Track Members have suggested that bus drivers be given an information sheet on the go card, which they can give to paper ticket buyers on the buses.  A community wide education campaign is needed to be particularly targeted on the Sunshine Coast, the area with the lowest use of go card at present."

"There is much community unrest directed at the latest round of fare increases. The recent introduction of the free travel after 10 paid journeys using a go card in the Monday to Sunday week does allow many users to offset travel costs.  More improvements are needed to the fare structure though. The present off peak discount of 20% should be increased to a minimum of 30%. The two journey daily cap for Seniors and some DVA pensioners needs extending to all Health Care Card Holders.  Queensland is the only state in Australia that does not extend concession travel to all Health Care Card holders, a most unsatisfactory situation."

References:

1.   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7376.msg82080#msg82080

2.   Using the new go card fare structure optimally  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7374.0

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