Queensland Transport to return $30m in carbon tax savings as lower fares or incr

[techblitz]

Brilliant vote buyer....labor will really have to pull out the guns.....considering they also have to cost in the newstart allowance concessions.....should be interesting...

[ozbob]

Brilliant vote buyer....labor will really have to pull out the guns.....considering they also have to cost in the newstart allowance concessions.....should be interesting...

I am not so sure that it is a 'brilliant vote buyer'  the changes are minor. 

Disgraceful that unemployed do not get concessions.  Could well be a vote changer in the longer term.

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

JOINT STATEMENT
Premier
The Honourable Campbell Newman

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

Queenslanders choose cheaper fares

For the first time in Queensland's history, there will be a state-wide reduction to public transport fares making it more affordable for families to catch the train, bus, tram or ferry.

Premier Campbell Newman and Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said feedback following a two-week survey and public consultation clearly showed Queenslanders wanted cheaper fares.

"Under our strong plan, we promised to deliver cost of living relief for families and this announcement means Queenslanders will pay five per cent less to use public transport from November 3," Mr Newman said.

"Fares will also be frozen in 2015, so Queenslanders across the state will save up to 7.5 per cent next year.

"What this means is that a mum or dad travelling to work in the Brisbane CBD from the Gold Coast will save more than $297 a year, or nearly $2000 compared to what they would have paid under Labor.

"Under the LNP, families now have more money in their back pocket, compared to Labor's record of ongoing 15 per cent fare hikes.

Mr Emerson said almost 22,000 people from across Queensland gave their view, and 74 per cent voted for cheaper fares.

"We left it up to Queenslanders to decide where almost $30 million of carbon tax savings should be reinvested and their clear choice was a reduction in fares," Mr Emerson said.

"Queenslanders have said fares are too expensive having increased by 52 per cent in the last three years under Labor.

"We agreed, that is why we have worked hard to lower fares and passengers will now pay less for a weekly go card than they were under the previous Labor Government.

"Under our policies we have added 3000 extra bus and train services to the network, trains are running on time and up to 80,000 passengers are benefiting from our free travel after nine weekly journeys initiative.

"On top of those benefits, passengers will now pay less for public transport across the State for the first time in Queensland's history.

"The savings will be across the State so all Queensland public transport users will benefit from improvements in public transport affordability whether they live in South East Queensland or regional Queensland"

The survey officially closed midnight 14 September and gave Queenslanders the choice to re-invest carbon tax savings to either increase services or reduce fares.

[ENDS] 21 September 2014

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Public transport fares cut by five per cent

Public transport fares cut by five per cent
Queensland

The state government will spend its $30 million in carbon tax savings cutting public transport fares across Queensland.

From November 3, tickets for all trains, buses and ferries will drop five per cent, and fares will be frozen in 2015.

Transport Minister Scott Emerson told Fairfax Radio 4BC 22,000 people took part in its two-week survey on fares earlier this month.

"We put up two options to people – a five per cent cut in fares or 1000 additional services," he said.

"[In the survey] 74 per cent of people, a very clear vote, said to cut fares by five per cent."

Mr Emerson said commuters had been "hurting" after fares rose 52 per cent in the last three years of the previous Labor government.

He said fare increases from 2016 onwards would be kept below the consumer price index (CPI).

"We've budgeted for a 2.5 per cent increase, that is below CPI, and that's what would happen in the future," Mr Emerson said.

"We will not be going back to the bad old days of 15 per cent [annual] fare increases."

Premier Campbell Newman said his government was delivering cost of living relief.

"What this means is that a mum or dad travelling to work in the Brisbane CBD from the Gold Coast will save more than $297 a year, or nearly $2000 compared to what they would have paid under Labor," he said.

Opposition leader Annastasia Palaszczuk said the move was an election sweetener and the government planned to privatise the network.

"What we'll see after the election is massive price increases, huge burdens on families, because this government wants to sell off our rail and bus network," she said.

"It's in the Costello report, the government has accepted this recommendation, and Campbell Newman can say anything he wants before the election, but Queenslanders are smarter and we know his true agenda."

An audit report by former federal treasurer Peter Costello in 2012 expressed concern over Queensland's debt levels and recommended big spending cuts and outsourcing in numerous service delivery areas.

Robert Dow, from public transport advocacy group Rail Back on Track, said the five per cent fare reduction would see Zone 1 GoCard fares drop from $3.53 to $3.35 in peak travel times, and from $2.83 to $2.69 off-peak.

Zone 2 GoCard fares would decrease from $4.14 to $3.93 at peak, and from $3.32 to $3.15 off-peak.

"We're grateful for small mercies and a cut's a cut," he said.

"But we need to look at proper network and fare reform if we're going to have a sustainable public transport service in the long term."

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

Pssst ... the fare structure is botched > http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10957.msg146524#msg146524 ... #qldpol #gooften
http://twitpic.com/ebwozv

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

http://twitpic.com/ebwcxm  - . #qldvotes real soon we can smell the 'fear' > http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10967.0 ... #qldpol

[Fares_Fair]

The TransLink website only assumes 44 weeks in a year.
http://translink.com.au/news-and-updates/have-your-say-results?utm_source=translink&utm_medium=primary-tile&utm_content=have-your-say-results%3Futm_campaign

I would assume 4 weeks annual leave in a 52 week year would leave 48 weeks per year - for savings calculation purposes.  :conf

[ozbob]

So the LNP have dealt their fare hand ...   

Would not be surprised if early election late this year ... or early next ... 

Be prepared!

[ozbob]

Oh. dear ..

comment on CM blog

...  If you are paying $119.45 a week to go to work, then obviously you are coming from Nambour or Robina on the train. I used to spend over $60.00 a week from Burpengary.  Now I spend only just over $40.  Take a few one zone bus trips in the CBD during the day (you have to allow an hour between each one, or take 5 in a row and that will count as two) and you will rack up your 9 trips by Tuesday afternoon then the rest are free ..

[BrizCommuter]

Fare cut pre-election.
No long term fare policy, and no action since you came to government.
Poor show LNP!

[HappyTrainGuy]

Opposition leader Annastasia Palaszczuk said the move was an election sweetener and the government planned to privatise the network.

Just don't mention that her mob was the one that slowly moved to privitise QR over the years for a pitiful amount.

[#Metro]

Opposition leader Annastasia Palaszczuk said the move was an election sweetener and the government planned to privatise the network.

Can we outsource the politicians? I know Annastasia isn't dumb, but SHE presided over EXACTLY the same fare freeze before an election and then fares the next year exploded by 20%.

Pot calling kettle black!

Queensland Polititicans, council and state, both sides, are an embarrassment.

[Arnz]

Opposition leader Annastasia Palaszczuk said the move was an election sweetener and the government planned to privatise the network.

Can we outsource the politicians? I know Annastasia isn't dumb, but SHE presided over EXACTLY the same fare freeze before an election and then fares the next year exploded by 20%.

Pot calling kettle black!

Queensland Polititicans, council and state, both sides, are an embarrassment.

Don't think Annastasia was Transport Minister at the time.  It may have been Rachel Nolan instead (who was the worst Transport Minister at the time before Scott Emerson took over from Annastasia).

[Stillwater]

Expect state election to be held on 2nd December.

[ozbob]

Queensland Polititicans, council and state, both sides, are an embarrassment.

[Fares_Fair]

Oh. dear ..

comment on CM blog

...  If you are paying $119.45 a week to go to work, then obviously you are coming from Nambour or Robina on the train. I used to spend over $60.00 a week from Burpengary.  Now I spend only just over $40.  Take a few one zone bus trips in the CBD during the day (you have to allow an hour between each one, or take 5 in a row and that will count as two) and you will rack up your 9 trips by Tuesday afternoon then the rest are free ..

For the record... an adult go card holder travelling in peak;
From Nambour (Sunshine Coast zone 17) would cost $145.98/week
From Robina (Gold Coast zone 16) would cost $133.65/week

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane fare cut won't stop rorts

Brisbane fare cut won't stop rorts

Cutting public transport fares by five per cent will not stop GoCard users rorting the system, according to advocacy group Rail Back on Track.

Premier Campbell Newman announced on Sunday Queensland's $30 million in carbon tax savings would fund a reduction from November 3, as well as a fare freeze in 2015.

The move would see a peak zone one GoCard fare drop 18 cents, and a peak zone 2 GoCard fare drop 21 cents.

Robert Dow from Rail Back on Track said they were grateful for "small mercies", but only true fare and network reform would increase public transport use.

He said the Newman government should ditch its policy of allowing unlimited free trips on the Translink network once nine paid ones have been taken.

"There's a growing trend of city workers taking short bus trips during their breaks, so that by Wednesday they're travelling for free," Mr Dow said.

"If people are forced to do that to ameliorate the cost of travel, there is something really wrong with the system."

Mr Dow said there was nothing illegal about rorting, and the government even celebrated an estimated 80,000 free trips being taken each week.

"Most of the free trips are just the tenth trip where people are going home on a Friday, it's not really driving public transport use," he said.

"The only figures I've seen indicated that there was an increase earlier on in the week, which means that people are starting to learn to rort."

Mr Dow said lowering base ticket prices and introducing daily and weekly caps would encourage people to use bus, train and ferry services, which would flow onto reduced road congestion and risks of accidents, and improve health.

Drastic public transport price hikes began under the former Labor government in 2010.

After winning office in 2012, Campbell Newman cut scheduled 15 per cent annual increases to 7.5 per cent, and said this latest cut would put more money back in residents' pockets.

"What this means is that a mum or dad travelling to work in the Brisbane CBD from the Gold Coast will save more than $297 a year, or nearly $2000 compared to what they would have paid under Labor," he said.

But Griffith University senior political lecturer Paul Williams said the government should avoid playing the Labor "blame game" to create cost of living savings.

"There's a lot of scepticism in the electorate when governments start blaming previous administrations," he said.

"Usually by the time that first 12 months is over, the electorate says hey, this is your government, this is your budget."

Opposition leader Annastacia Palaszczuk slammed the cut as an election sweetener.

"After the election, this government will privatise our assets," she said.

"They want to sell off our electricity network, they want to sell off our public transport network. You cannot trust this government, they are mean and they are tricky."

The 2012 Commission of Audit recommended "restructuring services to be delivered through contestable contracts under franchise and lease arrangements" to offset the cost burden of subsidising public transport.

Dr Williams said that was a different thing to asset sales.

"I would doubt the government would try and privatise given the beating they'd had every time they've mentioned asset sales to this point," he said.

"Economically in reality it probably won't happen, but it's a good rhetorical device for Labor to use to drum up a bit of fear."

[ozbob]

^  great yarn, thanks ...

Meanwhile  ...

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

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

http://twitpic.com/e6o5mr  - Go the go! > http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10444.msg136884#msg136884 ... #qldpol Monday mania go!

[ozbob]

Fairfax radio news is running comments on this.  Thanks! 

[ozbob]

Oh. dear.   

... I know many people who rort the 9 trips system from the Sunshine and Gold Coasts that would be costing the government and us tax payers a fortune. 9 trips while in the city on the first few days to save the costs of trips from their actual residence over the rest of the week. But this government will never admit that the 9 paid fares system they introduced is simply destroying the revenue of the public transport system ...

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-fare-cut-wont-stop-rorts-20140921-10k33q.html#comments

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Fare reduction just the ticket for Coast commuters

[ozbob]

Interviews 4BC Mornings (Mark Braybrook):  Mr Emerson, Ms Trad, and Ozbob      :bi

Click --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10930.msg146749#msg146749

[#Metro]

History Repeats!!

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has seized on falling bus patronage figures to launch a broadside against rising public transport fares.

Bus statistics released by Brisbane City Council showed there were 230,357 fewer passengers on Brisbane buses from July to October 2011 compared to the same period in 2010.

Weekends, late night and off-peak travel showed the biggest drop.
The state government introduced 15 per cent annual increases for public transport fares in January 2010.

Since then, passenger growth dropped from 6.5 per cent (2009-10) to 2.03 per cent (2010-11) to a 0.8 per cent decline in the first four months of the 2011-12 financial year.

Cr Quirk said the state government's decision to lift fares by 15 per cent each January was having a real impact.

Later in the article it was revealed that the money was going to BCC/BT for more buses, which they needed more of since they insisted on direct service model which requires more buses than a feeder setup...


http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/commuters-abandon-public-transport-after-fares-hike-20111114-1nfgi.html

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Unless there is proper network and fare reform it will always be so ...   

[ozbob]

http://www.4bc.com.au/blogs/2014-4bc-mornings-audio-blog/transport-fares-to-drop-5/20140922-3gad6.html#.VB-O7BaZjXM

4BC Mornings: Transport fares will be cut by 5%

4BC Mornings: The Newman Government announced a fare reduction of 5% for the first time in the state's history.

The fare drop comes after $30 million in savings from axing the carbon tax and commuters should expect to see the change as of November 3.

Transport Minister Scott Emerson said a majority wanted to see a fare cut than an increase in services.

"We had 22,000 people who got back to us in our survey, 74% wanted us to use that money to cut fares intead of increase services," he said.

"We do hope it'll increase public transport use."

A fare freeze will be introduced in 2015 as well.

Shadow Transport Minister Jackie Trad says she acknowledges the reduction of fares will be welcomed by the public.

"We do understand the cost of living pressures are really putting pressure on families, particularly when you consider that we've got record high unemployment as well."

"We obviously acknowledge that any reduction will be felt by commuters and they will be appreciative of it."

She said the Labor party will be making their policies "available very soon". 

Robert Dow from Back on Track welcomed the fare reduction but said it won't be enough to get people back onto public transport.

"All cuts are welcomed, but it's not going to really cause a massive turn around in patronage," he said.

"What we want to see proper fare reform, proper community consultation. We're due for a new ticketing system in 2016, whether it's an update go card or an equivalent, but we think it's a really good opportunity to look at really sound fare reform."

Mr Emerson --> here!

Ms Trad --> here!

Mr Dow --> here!

[ozbob]

http://www.alex4gaven.com.au/5342/transport-minister-lurches-for-the-pork-barrel-cheaper-fares-with-election-looming/

Transport Minister lurches for the pork-barrel – cheaper fares with election looming

Member for Gaven Dr Alex Douglas MP says the Transport Minister's statement to reduce public transport fares is no comfort for residents of Nerang who do not have  public transport services at nights and weekends.

"What is the point of reducing fares when thousands of people living in Nerang, Carrara, Pacific Pines and Worongary have second-rate services which don't get them home after work or out at weekends?" Dr Douglas said.

"How hypocritical of the Minister to say we will have cheaper transport and that people will have more money in their back pocket by cutting fares by 5 % whilst most of my constituents cannot even access a bus at night or weekends?

"The Minister has repeatedly refused to listen to my requests for a better bus transport, particularly on the western side of the Pacific Motorway, saying that poor usage doesn't warrant better services.

"I invite the Minister to come to Nerang to see for himself the pathetic public transport service or rather lack of service and speak with disgruntled residents.

"Since new services were announced in January this year,  my residents have been treated as second-class citizens by this ruthless LNP Government which doesn't empathise with my constituents, many of whom are on low incomes and need public transport.

"In the last Parliamentary sitting  I once again highlighted the poor public transport in Carrara,  recounting one of my constituent's experiences  of being unable to get home from work and being stranded when buses don't turn up.

"Sadly she said the system was changing the social fabric of our suburbs because she couldn't get   to the gym, couldn't socialise after work, couldn't go out to dinner with friends but simply had to make a stressful dash after work to try to catch the last public transport of the afternoon.

"I ask Minister Emerson to consider these people in desperate need of a bus service, rather than just make a grab for votes prior to the State election due in 2015."

[ozbob]

^ I just completed a pre-recorded interview with ABC Gold Coast for the drive show this afternoon.

I made mention of some of the bus issues, particularly early finishes.  Network and fare reform is needed for all.   Simple fare cuts, although welcome alone will achieve little.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

23rd September 2014

Re: SEQ: Fares are too expensive in SEQ - what a NON surprise

Greetings,

The rorting on the go card should be reason enough to fix the fare system.  Is it neglect to not stop the obvious bleeding of go card dollars?

The free after 10 paid journeys introduced by the former government, and made even more bizarre by the LNP Government in that making the threshold even easier to reach (9 paid journeys) is an anti-public transport fare structure.  It is costing fare box dollars.  A responsible government would act to fix it.  It has not made affordability better, it has in fact as shown by TransLink KPIs made it worse.

Example:

If you travel from Gympie North to CBD and back each day you should be paying the fare. Simple. 9 x $22.48 = $202.32

At present, they can  simply do  a one stop at morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea  ( some do ).

So Monday spend $22.48 x 2 = $44.96 + $2.83 x 3 = $8.49 = $53.45  (5 paid journeys completed).

Tuesday $22.48 + $8.49 = $30.97 (9 paid journeys now complete).  Travel free home Tuesday and then rest of the week. $ lost to farebox = $117.90  which is 58%.

No wonder the fare box is disappearing.  Anyone can do the same and save around 58% for all zones > 1.  This is the fare box leakage ..

Fix the high cost base fares and stop the rorting.  If we don't, public transport is simply going to get a lot worse, more service cuts.  Real hardship.

If you want services there has to be a fare box coming in.

Daily and weekly caps will allow cheaper base fares for all, but importantly preserve the fare box.  Sydney Opal does this.

See --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10957.0 for more discussion on this.

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

For interest:

http://www.4bc.com.au/blogs/2014-4bc-mornings-audio-blog/transport-fares-to-drop-5/20140922-3gad6.html#.VB-O7BaZjXM

4BC Mornings: Transport fares will be cut by 5%

4BC Mornings: The Newman Government announced a fare reduction of 5% for the first time in the state's history.

The fare drop comes after $30 million in savings from axing the carbon tax and commuters should expect to see the change as of November 3.

Transport Minister Scott Emerson said a majority wanted to see a fare cut than an increase in services.

"We had 22,000 people who got back to us in our survey, 74% wanted us to use that money to cut fares intead of increase services," he said.

"We do hope it'll increase public transport use."

A fare freeze will be introduced in 2015 as well.

Shadow Transport Minister Jackie Trad says she acknowledges the reduction of fares will be welcomed by the public.

"We do understand the cost of living pressures are really putting pressure on families, particularly when you consider that we've got record high unemployment as well."

"We obviously acknowledge that any reduction will be felt by commuters and they will be appreciative of it."

She said the Labor party will be making their policies "available very soon". 

Robert Dow from Back on Track welcomed the fare reduction but said it won't be enough to get people back onto public transport.

"All cuts are welcomed, but it's not going to really cause a massive turn around in patronage," he said.

"What we want to see proper fare reform, proper community consultation. We're due for a new ticketing system in 2016, whether it's an update go card or an equivalent, but we think it's a really good opportunity to look at really sound fare reform."

Mr Emerson --> here!

Ms Trad --> here!

Mr Dow --> here!

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Voters should have their say more often

Note: Bill O'Chee is a consultant and former Nationals senator.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 4m

Did you vote? > http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10981.0 ... #qldpol #farefailSEQ http://twitpic.com/ec38or