22 Dec 2008: SEQ: Call for free Sunday Translink travel for Seniors on Go Card!

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Media Release 22 December 2008

SEQ:  Call for free Sunday Translink travel for Seniors on Go Card!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport users has previously called for free Sunday public transport travel for Senior Citizens (1, 2, 3).  Senior citizens have access to a special Seniors Go Card  (a red Go Card), and as a further incentive for uptake of the card and to encourage senior citizens to get out and about, it would be a simple matter to program the smart card system to allow Seniors free travel on Sundays.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Free travel for Senior citizens on Sundays was introduced by the Victorian Government on the 27 August 2006 in Melbourne. This worthwhile initiative has been a huge success and when on visits to Melbourne it has been encouraging to hear senior citizens comment on how helpful it has been to them."

"Public transport in south-east Queensland has some slack on Sundays, and it will be no additional load for our public transport generally to make this service available.  It will assist the Senior citizens to get out and about, visit family and friends, and have more healthy life styles.  The Go Card will allow for easy implementation of such an initiative."

"RAIL Back On Track calls on Queensland Government and Translink to provide free public transport to retired Seniors in Queensland on Sundays who use the Seniors Go Card."

"One wonders why the Queensland Government cannot introduce some of the public transport ticketing initiatives that benefit the community as a whole, such as in WA, NSW and Victoria. Victoria, Sunday fare saver tickets, free public transport for seniors on Sundays.  WA, soon to have free public transport on Sundays for seniors, and free travel for seniors 10am to 3pm Monday to Friday.  NSW, Family Funday Sunday Ticketing. These initiatives help improve the health and well being of the community and reduces health costs. They introduce people to the convenience of public transport, and maximises use of the public transport assets, and in turn increases fare revenue."

"The Queensland Government and TransLink are transfixed on economic rationalist transport models.  They need to consider the broader social implications of public transport policy."

References:

1.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=909.0
2.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=52
3.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=567.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org