24 Oct 2008: SEQ: Important tip for Go card users travelling on Airtrain

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Media Release 24 October 2008

SEQ:  Important tip for Go card users travelling on connecting rail services with the air train

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has previously highlighted the outrageous situation with rip-off additional fares for paper and go card users who travel on the Citytrain network and make direct connections with the Airtrain service to Brisbane Airport (1, 2).  To avoid these excess charges passengers are advised to break their journey at Eagle Junction or CBD stations as the case may be with the go card, or purchase a single ticket to the CBD and then purchase a ticket from the CBD to the airport.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

?On the 21st October I travelled from Oxley railway station to the Brisbane Domestic Airport using go card.  I travelled from Oxley to Central where I touched off and I was debited with the correct go card fare.  I then immediately touched back on which is in effect a continuation of travel, and travelled to the airport where I touched off. I was debited with the correct fare at the airport, namely $13.50.?

?On the 23rd of October I returned to Brisbane Airport. I had travelled to Melbourne.  I touched on at Brisbane Airport but this time I did not break my journey and I touched off at Oxley station. This is the normal mode of travel. On touching off at Oxley I was debited with an excess fare, the equivalent of $13.50 and more than single fare zone 1 to 3.  This represents an excess charge of around 40% for the CBD to Oxley leg.?

?This rip-off fare situation is now the subject of a formal complaint to TransLink, reference number 143328.?

?All passengers who are using connecting rail services with the Airtrain are advised to break their journey if using a go card as described above, or if using paper, purchase a paper ticket from their home station to CBD or Eagle Junction, and then purchase a ticket for the Airtrain leg. This will avoid these excess charges.?

?It appears that Airtrain is pocketing revenue from passengers for travel on parts of the Citytrain network that they have no real right to. Further, the go card advertising that promises discounts of at least 20% is grossly misleading.?

?This is a most farcical situation and is anti-public transport.  It is time it was addressed.?

References:

1.   http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1322.0

2.   http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1304.0

Contact:

Robert Dow

Administration
admin@backontrack.org