29 Mar 2014: SEQ: Fare affordability crisis

[ozbob]

Media release 29th March 2014



SEQ: Fare affordability crisis

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 the TransLink performance snap shot data for February 2014 has confirmed that affordability has reached the worst level ever.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Fares for public transport in SEQ have gone up in real terms (compound) around 83% for go card and 114% for paper single tickets during the period 2010-2014 (1).

"CPI for the period 2010-2014 has gone up around 9.5% (2).  The sheer magnitude of the fare increases has stagnated patronage on public transport in SEQ.  Fare box revenue is also on the slide.  To continue on this failed fare path is not in the interests of anyone."

"It is then little wonder then that affordability is the standout failure for the TransLink Customer Satisfaction KPIs (3, 5)."

"A new balanced fare system needs to be put in place (4).  A fare system that drives patronage around the clock, is affordable and fair to all.  The present free after nine paid journeys is easily rorted and is adding to further cost pressures for high base fares. This failed fare paradigm was introduced by the former State Government as free after 10 paid journeys in a week. The Newman Government simply carried on the basic flawed paradigm by changing it 9 paid journeys in a week as the threshold. The end result has been worsening patronage, a failed fare box and  worsening affordability overall."

"There are very big cost savings to be made by getting people back on public transport.  Fares in SEQ are amongst the worlds most expensive.  Time to act!"

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

References:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10048.msg135186#msg135186

2. http://www.oesr.qld.gov.au/products/tables/cpi-all-groups-bris-wt-avg-eight-qtr/index.php

3. http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/open-data/2014-feb-snapshot.pdf

4.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10571.msg139861#msg139861

5.  The  February 2014 Public transport performance data for affordability:

http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/open-data/2014-feb-snapshot.pdf page 14

[ozbob]

Discussion --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10048.msg140585#msg140585

[ozbob]

Media release 29th March 2014 re-released 4th April 2014



SEQ: Fare affordability crisis

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 the TransLink performance snap shot data for February 2014 has confirmed that affordability has reached the worst level ever.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Fares for public transport in SEQ have gone up in real terms (compound) around 83% for go card and 114% for paper single tickets during the period 2010-2014 (1).

"CPI for the period 2010-2014 has gone up around 9.5% (2).  The sheer magnitude of the fare increases has stagnated patronage on public transport in SEQ.  Fare box revenue is also on the slide.  To continue on this failed fare path is not in the interests of anyone."

"It is then little wonder then that affordability is the standout failure for the TransLink Customer Satisfaction KPIs (3, 5)."

"A new balanced fare system needs to be put in place (4).  A fare system that drives patronage around the clock, is affordable and fair to all.  The present free after nine paid journeys is easily rorted and is adding to further cost pressures for high base fares. This failed fare paradigm was introduced by the former State Government as free after 10 paid journeys in a week. The Newman Government simply carried on the basic flawed paradigm by changing it 9 paid journeys in a week as the threshold. The end result has been worsening patronage, a failed fare box and  worsening affordability overall."

"There are very big cost savings to be made by getting people back on public transport.  Fares in SEQ are amongst the worlds most expensive.  Time to act!"

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

References:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10048.msg135186#msg135186

2. http://www.oesr.qld.gov.au/products/tables/cpi-all-groups-bris-wt-avg-eight-qtr/index.php

3. http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/open-data/2014-feb-snapshot.pdf

4.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10571.msg139861#msg139861

5.  The  February 2014 Public transport performance data for affordability:

http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/open-data/2014-feb-snapshot.pdf page 14

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

20th April 2014

SEQ: Fare affordability crisis

Greetings,

A failure to move now to sort out the failed fare system for SEQ condemns the present Government as a failure.

It makes no sense to waste money by not moving to sort the fares now.  Ensuring the public transport assets are used maximally around the clock will actually reduce the fare box subsidy, improve patronage and have significant flow on economic effects.  Benefits include congestion improvements, reduced health care sector expenditure, reduced environmental impacts and improved business economic multiplier effects.  Particularly as the population becomes more mobile again.  Many cannot afford to use public transport as a discretionary option let alone as a work day commute.

All the other states have fare options that encourage their citizens to get out and about.  Here in south-east Queensland the fares are punishing the citizens and forcing them on to the ever worsening road system, with the associated massive flow on costs.

It is time for change.

Best wishes
Robert

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


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

Media release 29th March 2014 re-released 20th April 2014



SEQ: Fare affordability crisis

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 the TransLink performance snap shot data for February 2014 has confirmed that affordability has reached the worst level ever.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Fares for public transport in SEQ have gone up in real terms (compound) around 83% for go card and 114% for paper single tickets during the period 2010-2014 (1).

"CPI for the period 2010-2014 has gone up around 9.5% (2).  The sheer magnitude of the fare increases has stagnated patronage on public transport in SEQ.  Fare box revenue is also on the slide.  To continue on this failed fare path is not in the interests of anyone."

"It is then little wonder then that affordability is the standout failure for the TransLink Customer Satisfaction KPIs (3, 5)."

"A new balanced fare system needs to be put in place (4).  A fare system that drives patronage around the clock, is affordable and fair to all.  The present free after nine paid journeys is easily rorted and is adding to further cost pressures for high base fares. This failed fare paradigm was introduced by the former State Government as free after 10 paid journeys in a week. The Newman Government simply carried on the basic flawed paradigm by changing it 9 paid journeys in a week as the threshold. The end result has been worsening patronage, a failed fare box and  worsening affordability overall."

"There are very big cost savings to be made by getting people back on public transport.  Fares in SEQ are amongst the worlds most expensive.  Time to act!"

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

References:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10048.msg135186#msg135186

2. http://www.oesr.qld.gov.au/products/tables/cpi-all-groups-bris-wt-avg-eight-qtr/index.php

3. http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/open-data/2014-feb-snapshot.pdf

4.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10571.msg139861#msg139861

5.  The  February 2014 Public transport performance data for affordability:

http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/open-data/2014-feb-snapshot.pdf page 14

[ozbob]

^ Fairfax radio news has followed this up, thanks for the interest.