Article: Go cards surveyed

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From the Ipswich Advertiser 26th November 2008 page 15

Go cards surveyed

Go cards surveyed
By BRENTON GAREN

IT'S quick, convenient and cashless - that's the marketing message hitting television commercials and billboards promoting the go card ticketing system. According to Transport Minister John Mickel, south-east Queenslanders are leading the way in embracing the new technology. Mr Mickel said its mid-2009 target for the number of go cards being used had already been passed.

RAIL Back On Track spokesman Robert Dow welcomed the latest education and awareness campaign. "The go card is generally very convenient and promises much for the improved efficiency of public transport on the Trans-Link network if there is a high uptake," Mr Dow said.

"We have previously suggested that such a campaign is needed." Mr Dow said the fare options canvassed in a survey would be a huge leap forward for the go card if implemented. "Our only concerns are that the weekly/monthly caps may not be offered as concession fares," he said.

"This could be very discriminatory to full time students and, for example, retired pensioners and others who do volunteer work and use public transport daily; and the need for some consideration be given to offpeak discounts on all plans to help ease peak congestion.

"RAIL Back On Track would also like to see the opportunity given to all public transport commuters to comment on the various new go card fare options."

Mr Mickel said since the new go card fare structure was introduced on August 4 this year, go card users have been saving between 20 and 35 per cent whenever they travel on a TransLink bus, train and ferry service. He said more than $31 million had been loaded on to the cards and more than 10 million journeys have been undertaken since the system's debut early this year.

"The figures prove the go card system is strong and is continuing to grow," Mr Mickel said. "South-east Queensland is just the second Australian public transport system to successfully roll out this technology and it is by far the largest network. "In fact, the go card network covers more than 10, 000 square kilometres."

GO CARD FACTS
Total go cards in circulation: 194,000
Total nurnberof journeys made on the go card: 11,510,000
Total amount loaded on go card; 531.460.000
Highest number of go card journeys made In one day: 125,000