Article: Queensland Rail staff will receive free go cards in an attempt to boost

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail click here!

Queensland Rail staff will receive free go cards in an attempt to boost dwindling patronage figures

Queensland Rail staff will receive free go cards in an attempt to boost dwindling patronage figures

    by: Robyn Ironside
    From: The Courier-Mail
    May 28, 2013 12:00AM
   
QUEENSLAND Rail staff will be given free go cards in an attempt to boost dwindling patronage figures.

The taxpayer-funded organisation's 6500 staff already carry identification cards to allow them on trains for free but these rides do not count towards patronage.

In the nine months to the end of March, the number of trips taken on trains was down by two million compared with the previous corresponding period - the worst result in more than five years.

The high cost of fares has been blamed for the downturn, with another 7.5 per cent rise due to take effect in January unless Transport Minister Scott Emerson can find significant savings to reduce the increase.

The move to count staff trips could potentially boost official patronage numbers by as much as 25,000 trips a week based on just over a third of employees taking advantage of the free train travel.

Mr Emerson yesterday confirmed the move to give Queensland Rail staff free travel cards, instead of using ID cards.

"It will ensure we can accurately measure the number of passengers using the train network as part of our future plans to provide more services," said Mr Emerson.

He said it would also target fare evasion at stations where some passengers were using staff access, such as at Central and Roma St, to avoid ticket gates.

Queensland Rail staff have described the switch as a "cynical move" which was all about improving the numbers.

The Courier-Mail understands TMR director-general Neil Scales addressed Queensland Rail managers last month, telling them they "need to count the free trips in patronage to boost our numbers".

The State Government will also cut out free rides for employees of Aurizon at the end of the year, three and a half years after the rail freight organisation separated from Queensland Rail.

Since mid-2010, 5500 staff have been allowed free train travel at taxpayers' expense under a deal done by the previous government.

Mr Emerson, who staff said was not at the meeting where the announcement was made, said the free travel for Aurizon staff was costing taxpayers millions of dollars a year, believed to be as much as $4 million.

"The LNP will not be using taxpayer money to provide free train travel for private companies beyond this deal," he said.

An Aurizon spokesman said Queensland-based agreements would expire on December 31 and negotiations with rail unions on a new agreement were underway but no details had been released on the proposals.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

28th May 2013

The great fare charade in south-east Queensland

Greetings,

Yet another bizarre twist in the ongoing Five Year Fare Fail for south-east Queensland.

Queensland Rail staff will receive free go cards in an attempt to boost dwindling patronage figures  http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-rail-staff-will-receive-free-go-cards-in-an-attempt-to-boost-dwindling-patronage-figures/story-e6freoof-1226651667242

Ok team, lets cut to the chase.  The obscene fare increases for TransLink in south-east Queensland over the past years have been a deliberate attempt to put a cap on patronage and drive people away.

The high base fare cost is designed to restrict the occasional traveller.  The ' 10 and free ' introduced by the ALP and continued by the LNP as the ' 9 and free ' is more to do with cynical politics than any rational fare system.

What needs to happen is a proper fare review.  Look around the nation, why is south-east Queensland such an anti-community anti-public transport jurisdiction?

It would appear the Government is happy to escalate road congestion, road trauma and make life an increasing misery for many.

Road congestion and road trauma is out of control.   Enlightened jurisdictions are moving forwards, not Queensland  I am afraid.

We have a fare review petition here -->  http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/fare-review-for-translink-south-east-queensland-now.html

And remember in south-east Queensland a go card  error renders the user liable to a criminal offence.  Real smart ...

Pray your go card works!  Even the free ones ...

Best wishes
Robert

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

[STB]

QR staff have been getting free travel for many years, but only to and from work, officially from what I understood years ago from my contacts.  Technically QR staff get free travel to/from work with their staff IDs and outside of those times they are meant to purchase a half price paper ticket to use the train, although it is quietly known for staff to use their IDs outside of those times, not sure if that is still the case though.

No different to individual private operators where they get free travel on that specific operator that they work for, but if they travel on another TL operator then they must purchase a ticket / use a go card.

Personally I don't actually mind QR staff (and other TL operators staff) getting free travel to/from work, as long as it's used to/from work only and nothing else.

An exception to TL staff though where the only free travel they are legally allowed to get is for business only, and that applies across the board from the Sunshine Coast, out to Ipswich and to the Gold Coast on bus, train and ferry.  At all other times then they must pay full fare with their own money to use the system, which I found out from my contacts as well.

[#Metro]

The difference here is that with a Go Card, correct me if wrong, this can be used for free trips on buses and ferries as well? Am I right?

I don't think these trips should be counted because it isn't production of goods or services to the public. It's internal.

Free trips... inclined to think against it, but then there's free parking that employers give away, so can't really see too much difference there.

[ozbob]

4BC Breakfast with Mary and Kim followed up with an interview.  Thanks for the interest.

Was a good discussion on fares generally ... 

[Stillwater]

What the Courier-Mail article also reveals is that Aurizon staff have been getting a free ride on SEQ passenger trails to the tune of $4 million a year.

Faced with the need for a fare system review, it is so disappointing that the Queensland Government would opt for a fiddle to 'cook the books' rather than pursue real fare revenue reform.

The rail system capacity constraints are driving a process whereby the state government is actively discouraging growth in passenger numbers and requiring taxpayer dollars to be directed not at rail enhancements, but at expensive road fixes.  We can build more road tunnels, despite the dubious record of toll-roads in Brisbane, but not a rail tunnel.

The most disappointing aspect is that the government is about illusion rather than substance -- what looks good rather than what IS good.  Just watch Brisbane and SEQ drop down the world ranking of liveable and sustainable communities.

[ozbob]

Yo!  Everyone happy?   YES SIR!!

[#Metro]

What the Courier-Mail article also reveals is that Aurizon staff have been getting a free ride on SEQ passenger trails to the tune of $4 million a year.

Faced with the need for a fare system review, it is so disappointing that the Queensland Government would opt for a fiddle to 'cook the books' rather than pursue real fare revenue reform.

Who approved this? This sounds like a complete SOP / raiding the cookie jar.
$4 million would be enough for another BUZ IMHO.

[STB]

Aurizon staff should be paying as they don't work for QR anymore. What I think might happen is that the Go Card will allow free travel on the train to/from work, but paid travel on bus/ferry which IMO is a hell of an improvement on the current method which is simply clumsy if you use bus and train to get to/from work.

If not, there's going to be a hell of a lot of upset QR staff who'll be getting a rotten deal compared with other private operators, and will be out of touch to other operators elsewhere who get free travel on their mode only (apparently Sydney Railcorp employees get free travel on train and Sydney buses to/from work only- happy to be corrected) as part of their employment package, and if anything will not encourage QR staff to go by train to get to/from work.

[colinw]

It would appear that while we have been foaming about CRR, Springfield and Kippa-Ring, the very survival of our system may have been placed in doubt.

I will make a prediction: continue this trajectory of fare rises and patronage drops and the survival of rail & public transport in Brisbane, other than a few core routes, is at stake.

It can, and has happened before.  Newcastle (trams) in the 1950s. Hobart in the 1970s. Christchurch once had electric trains. Many American cities in the 1940s through '60s.  Very nearly Perth in the 1980s - remember the closure of the Fremantle line by the Court Government - seems unthinkable now but it nearly got ripped out and no trains ran for some years before reinstatment in about 1983.

QLD under this Government may well be regressive enough to follow through with such 1950s thinking, as the current policies are driving patronage & per-passenger subsidy into territory where massive abandonment of services is no longer inconceivable.

[ozbob]

Increasingly they  (Government) does realise that there are some significant problems looming.

Long distance rail (inland) passenger is gone from this budget I expect (or shortly there after).

No doubt there has been an active policy of high fares to cap patronage.  I expect though that we will see moves to improve fares overall and services.

Emerson is on record as saying they do want to improve things.  Problem is they don't seem to be able to do anything much at present ...

[nathandavid88]

I tend to agree ozbob. I honestly do think that Emerson does understand the importance of public transport and genuinely does want to improve the current situation, but between budget limitations, political bickering (QLD v BCC and QLD vs Abbott) and possibly pressure inside the Government and the LNP at large, he's finding it hard to get any meaningful changes across. There have been some minor improvements: frequency increases on the FG line, and more recently minor improvements to increase rail freight, but capitulating to BCC over bus changes, bickering with the Feds over CRR funding (even though I do see his point to an extent, some funding is better than no funding) has pretty well overshadowed things.

I'm placing my hope in contestibility of service providers – if any meaningful changes will be made, I think that's where we will see it!

[ozbob]

4BC  Use of Public Transport on the Decline
Posted by: Staff Writer | 28 May, 2013 - 11:30 AM
Public transport fare rises of 15 per cent a year have put patronage at a four-year low

4BC Breakfast: The use of public transport has been on the decline for years with the rising price of each trip having a serious impact on the amount of people using the service.  Robert Dow from Rail Back on track joins Kim & Mary to chat about the issue we are having with our train services.

Click --> here!

[STB]

Nitpicking here I know, but geez I hate how the media feed the myth that Qld Rail have power over the fare prices, like in that interview.  It's almost as though Brisbane has been living underneath a rock since 2004 with integrated ticketing.  Meh. 

[ozbob]

I think the majority of the public does now understand that the fare path is a function of Government/TransLink but there are still the rock dwellers, after all we are in Queensland ...

[STB]

Yes, you can see why I badly wanted to stay down south where the grass is greener and the people are more cultured (particularly in Melbourne which I'm heading to in 3 weeks to learn comedy writing with the legend Tim Ferguson).  Alas it didn't work out this time, but there is always a next time. 

[ozbob]

Good luck with that STB, having a good grounding in Queensland will no doubt help with material  ... 

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 15m

Fare rage on @couriermail blog --> http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-rail-staff-will-receive-free-go-cards-in-an-attempt-to-boost-dwindling-patronage-figures/story-e6freoof-1226651667242 ... #qldpol #farefailSEQ

[colinw]

VERY selective editing going on with those CM comments. Detailed comments highlighting connection between fare rises, patronage loss and escalating per-pax subsidy did not make it through. As an experiment I then crafted a normal CM style "dog whistle outrage" style comment, posted via a different IP address & disposable email address. It was straight on there.  This is not the first time that has happened - I've been playing with the CM & Fairfax that way for a while now using posts from various angles via anonymous proxies (ToR relays). The selective editing of what gets through is quite clear, and much more noticeable with News than Fairfax.

I have decided that trying to post anything sensible via News Corp sites (aka LNP fan club) is a waste of time.  Fairfax seems more balanced, with a slight ALP bias.

Australian mainstream media - just as much a part of the problem as the pollies and rent seeking attitude of the population here.

[Golliwog]

I support this. I'm not a big fan on including them in the official patronage numbers, but giving them a go card that charges nothing is better than giving them a staff card that gets them free travel. The go card will give them extra data on where pax are going from/too, which is something a transport planner can never get enough of.

I'm not going to weight into whether they should get free across the board, or just on trains. The perks on offer for working at one place are almost always going to be different compared to working at another.

As for what they can use the travel for, when I briefly worked at Aurizon (almost immediately after the split) IIRC I was told they could be used for travel whenever. For work, weekends, whatever just show the card (or at Central, touch the staff only gate).

But that's going to be another possible bonus from this change. At Central they currently have 3 sets of go-gates heading into Central, once they get rid of staff cards, I don't see why they can't put a fourth set in on the other side of the ticket office.

[Golliwog]

Should QR pay finge benefits tax on providing transport to work? I'm sure most other employers would if involved providing Go-cards or cars?

While QR has alot of people, I don't think even they can stop the tide and it would seem many of those laid off by the govt were probably PT users.

No idea what the tax situation was like. I'd also like to say that I have no problem with Aurizon staff continuing to get free travel, in so far as Aurizon is paying QR/Translink as part of a deal for that situation to continue.

As for patronage losses, some of it might be rising unemployment, some of it will be cost. I don't think Secure parking having staff handing out leaflets about cheap parking deals outside the ANZAC square entrance once or twice a week is helping much either.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

29th May 2013

Re: The great fare charade in south-east Queensland

Greetings,

It is time to overhaul the fare system.  Further fare increases without structural reform of the fare system will continue to drive patronage down and further hardship in the community, and of course continue the fare box bleed.

Even transport planners to be, in transport planning 101, understand that  by improving the fare system, more passengers, better fare box, reduced subsidy, happier outcomes ...

Why is Queensland so dumb?

4BC  Use of Public Transport on the Decline
Posted by: Staff Writer | 28 May, 2013 - 11:30 AM
Public transport fare rises of 15 per cent a year have put patronage at a four-year low

4BC Breakfast: The use of public transport has been on the decline for years with the rising price of each trip having a serious impact on the amount of people using the service.  Robert Dow from Rail Back on track joins Kim & Mary to chat about the issue we are having with our train services.

Click --> here!

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

28th May 2013

The great fare charade in south-east Queensland

Greetings,

Yet another bizarre twist in the ongoing Five Year Fare Fail for south-east Queensland.

Queensland Rail staff will receive free go cards in an attempt to boost dwindling patronage figures  http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-rail-staff-will-receive-free-go-cards-in-an-attempt-to-boost-dwindling-patronage-figures/story-e6freoof-1226651667242

Ok team, lets cut to the chase.  The obscene fare increases for TransLink in south-east Queensland over the past years have been a deliberate attempt to put a cap on patronage and drive people away.

The high base fare cost is designed to restrict the occasional traveller.  The ' 10 and free ' introduced by the ALP and continued by the LNP as the ' 9 and free ' is more to do with cynical politics than any rational fare system.

What needs to happen is a proper fare review.  Look around the nation, why is south-east Queensland such an anti-community anti-public transport jurisdiction?

It would appear the Government is happy to escalate road congestion, road trauma and make life an increasing misery for many.

Road congestion and road trauma is out of control.   Enlightened jurisdictions are moving forwards, not Queensland  I am afraid.

We have a fare review petition here -->  http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/fare-review-for-translink-south-east-queensland-now.html

And remember in south-east Queensland a go card  error renders the user liable to a criminal offence.  Real smart ...

Pray your go card works!  Even the free ones ...

Best wishes
Robert

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

[HappyTrainGuy]

Not many do because of their posts/locations etc but members of police can travel for free providing they are in uniform etc which I have no problems with.

[somebody]

4BC  Use of Public Transport on the Decline
Posted by: Staff Writer | 28 May, 2013 - 11:30 AM
Public transport fare rises of 15 per cent a year have put patronage at a four-year low

4BC Breakfast: The use of public transport has been on the decline for years with the rising price of each trip having a serious impact on the amount of people using the service.  Robert Dow from Rail Back on track joins Kim & Mary to chat about the issue we are having with our train services.

Click --> here!

I note that one of the hosts suggested bringing back ten trippers, but the other disagreed and just said why not have every day low fares.

[ozbob]

Yes, hopefully that battle has been won ..

[#Metro]

The reason why 10 trippers should be consigned to the wastebin of history is simple.
It's not about trips. It should be about journeys.
It's not about going to work. It should be about going wherever you want, whenever, however many times you like.

Assume nothing!

[longboi]

I don't get the big fuss...

With home and duty passes, go card data might reflect 200 boardings at station X but the real figure is 205. With a staff go card, the data would accurately reflect 205. Big deal.

I'll also add that QR passenger load surveys already count staff travelling on home and duty passes who are not in uniform (office staff, managers, Transit Officers etc.).

It may not be politically expedient for a group such as RBoT, however from a demand modelling point of view it makes sense to have more accurate figures.

Free travel across the board, however, is a different story.

[frereOP]

The difference here is that with a Go Card, correct me if wrong, this can be used for free trips on buses and ferries as well? Am I right?

I don't think these trips should be counted because it isn't production of goods or services to the public. It's internal.

Free trips... inclined to think against it, but then there's free parking that employers give away, so can't really see too much difference there.

Nothing is free. Someone has to pay! It was Paul Keatingbwho once famously said there is no such thing as a free lunch!

If you think you think you are getting a free trip after 9 paid ones, think again. The cost of your free trip is paid for by you in the cost of your 9 (or someone else who doesn't make 9) paid trips.

Scrap the free trips, and reduce the price of all trips. That's 'fairer' (pun intended) for everyone.

[ozbob]

Yes.  Everyone except Mr Emerson seem to understand the present fare system is broken ..

He is looking a bit silly suggesting it is a  " ... roaring success " ...

[HappyTrainGuy]

But it is a roaring succes...... Of failure 

[ozbob]

Long learning curve in Queensland ...

[ozbob]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/letters-fare-go-is-derailed/story-e6frerdf-1226653155681

[frereOP]

4BC  Use of Public Transport on the Decline
Posted by: Staff Writer | 28 May, 2013 - 11:30 AM
Public transport fare rises of 15 per cent a year have put patronage at a four-year low

4BC Breakfast: The use of public transport has been on the decline for years with the rising price of each trip having a serious impact on the amount of people using the service.  Robert Dow from Rail Back on track joins Kim & Mary to chat about the issue we are having with our train services.

Click --> here!

I note that one of the hosts suggested bringing back ten trippers, but the other disagreed and just said why not have every day low fares.

Makes more sense to scrap the loyalty program and reduce fares. With the loyalty program requiring travel with 1 calendar week (between Monday and the following Sunday I think) the majority are paying for the benefit of just a few.