Article: Cheaper fares proposal by mid-year: Translink

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Cheaper fares proposal by mid-year: Translink

Cheaper fares proposal by mid-year: Translink
Tony Moore
April 21, 2009 - 6:04AM

Proposals for cheaper off-peak fares for trains, buses and ferries using the Go Card will go to Queensland Government by mid-year, a Translink spokesman confirmed last night.

Translink is investigating cheaper off-peak fares for buses, trains and ferries to tackle congestion among a range of incentives for commuters. It must report to government by mid-2009.

Traffic congestion on road, rail, bus and ferry is estimated by Brisbane City Council to cost Brisbane $9 billion each year by 2026.

The government is under pressure to respond to demands to make the Go Card more flexible after a stronger than expected response by Melbourne rail commuters to shift them out of the morning peak hour.

"Off peak fares for Go Cards are one of a range of products being considered by TransLink," the spokesman said.

"TransLink is required to present its preferred options to the State Government for consideration by the middle of the year," he said.

"This will form part of a long-term strategy for fares across South East Queensland."

Public transport lobby group "Rail: Back on Track" has consistently called for cheaper off peak fares on the Go Card to drive changes in commuter behaviour.

There are now 322,300 Go Cards in South East Queensland.

Spokesman Robert Dow last night welcomed Translink's commitment.

"That's good news, that's the first real public announcement we have had," Mr Dow said.

"Rail: Back on Track" has consistently argued that cheaper off-peak fares need to include buses, ferries and trains, rather than simple cut-price rail fares.

"It's a sign they seem to be getting on top of things and we can now look forward to more moves forward, I think."

Last week, Victoria's Transport Department reported on the first 12 months of free early morning train travel to encourage Melbourne's rail commuters to start work before 7am.

It showed the free train travel before 7am was used by 8600 commuters, of which more than 2000 - or 23 per cent - switched from the normal morning peak hour to get to work by 7am.

The Queensland Opposition backs trialling the early morning "free rail" scheme in Brisbane.

However Queensland Transport estimates it would cost $12 million each year.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan yesterday said she would have "a very good look" at the Melbourne experience, though she said providing more trains into the Citytrain rail network would remain Queensland Rail's main thrust.

Queensland Rail have added 81 new carriages to the Citytrain fleet since February 2008 and recently added a further 3750 "sitting and standing" places on five services on the Ipswich and Caboolture lines.

[Emmie]

Bravo, Ozbob!  I think you can take a good deal of credit for these changes (if/when they come in!) - a highly effective lobbying campaign, and we thank you.

[ozbob]

Thanks for your kind comments Emmie but a group effort.  It is great to see TL make this commitment and we thank them. We are really starting to GO forwards!!

Fare revenue overall will increase, better utilisation of our growing public transport assest, innovative and incentive fares, spreads the loads.  More cars off the roads, less pollution, less congestion WIN WIN WIN   

[WTN]

Well done Bob!  Translink has finally stood up and taken notice.  As you said, they're changes for the better (hopefully).  Pre-7am offpeak?  Let's Go!  Looking forward to it.

[ozbob]

Media Release 21 April 2009

SEQ:  Free rides for a few or improved public transport options for all?

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 congratulated TransLink on their commitment to put forward further fare strategies for the Go card (1).

It is essential to add off peak fares, and early and late peak incentive fare discounts to the fare structure for the go card, together with capping options that makes the go card equal or better than any paper ticket.  Off peak and incentive fares will encourage use of public transport when there is plenty of capacity and in turn help ease the congestion on struggling peak public transport services.

A high uptake of the go card will allow the seamless collection of meaningful real time load data with the outcome of better matching of services with demand.  Improvements in public transport efficiency, particularly reduced loading times on buses will also occur.

An option of capped fares to match daily, weekly and monthly ticket options will further encourage Go card uptake amongst those commuters who take more than the standard journeys in their paper ticketing period.

Robert Dow, spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The present paper ticketing on the TransLink network has an off peak option (2).  This encourages travel at less congested times and is helpful to retired pensioners, parents and others who can take trips during the off peak periods.  It encourages citizens to use public transport and reduce environmental impacts. It encourages people to travel outside peak times."

"Presently, off peak ticketing is available for unlimited travel between 9am and 3.30pm and after 7pm on weekdays, and all day on weekends and gazetted public holidays ."

"The go card provides a simple means of implementing an off peak fare and incentive fare structure. All go card journeys that commence (touch on) before 6.30am , touch on after 9am and touch on before 3.30pm and touch on after 7pm Monday to Friday  could be given a flat off peak discount of 30%."

"Although free early bird travel sounds attractive, it is not sustainable financially and too narrow in its focus.  Far better to drive maximum utilisation of our public transport, and in turn actually increase revenue, whilst giving all commuters; bus, ferry and rail the choice of early, late, and off peak discounts."

"It would be a simple matter to give all go card journeys on weekends and gazetted public holidays an off peak discount too.  This is only replicating present ticketing practices."

"The addition of off peak and incentive fares to the go card, together with a capping option, will go a long way in overcoming the remaining public transport commuter resistance to the go card."

"It is time to GO forwards!  Reduced congestion, improved environmental outcomes, safer commuting and better utilisation of the public transport asset will result."

References:

1.  http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/qld-news/cheaper-fares-proposal-by-midyear-translink-20090420-ackt.html

2.  http://www.transinfo.qld.gov.au/qt/TransLin.nsf/index/ti_main

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Any signs of the fare strategy, we are now in the middle of the year? 

[Paul.Zenon]

Any updates on this one Bob?

Will we be seeing any new incentive fares soon..?

Just thought you may have the 'inside scoop'   

[ozbob]

At this time nothing!

I am hopeful though that we might hear something in the near future.

Regards
Bob

[dwb]

still no word?

[ozbob]

Nothing that I am aware of.   Disappointing I know. 

[ozbob]

18th September 2009

Sent to the Minister and all contacts

----------------

Greetings,

There are major problems on the INB.  Patrons are unable to board buses in a timely manner.  Our members have reported many instances of long waits.

As one of our members has commented;

The overcrowding situation on the Northern Busway is a disgrace because:
1) This has been happening for over a year, and despite many complaints (which Translink admit), Translink have done nothing.
2) Despite the overcrowding, the bus service was not increased when the RBWH busway station opened which was expected to increase patronage. Spend millions on building the busway, but not increase the service - doh!
3) Passengers have been known to have to wait up to 50mins to board a bus on numerous occasions inbound in the pm peak, despite buses timetabled at least every 10mins.
4) It is forcing passengers off public transport, and making public transport unattractive.
5) It is making some public transport users to travel by alternative and less convenient routes.
> 6) Due to the RBWH's poor parking situation, improving the busway could have converted some drivers to public transport, but it hasn't.

http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2739.msg13928#msg13928

We have suggested some obvious solutions to the problems.  Increase frequency of the 66 extend to RBWH  and introduce a new route based on a combined 109 and 66.  Extend the 393 into Roma St.
See --> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2709.0

Why are we not utilising the massive investment in busways properly?   What on earth is going on?

Commuters have reached breaking point.
If TransLink is unable to manage our public transport please shift control back to the operators so that we can move forwards.

There are major congestion bottlenecks on rail as well. 

Where are the new fares for the go card?  This was promised mid year.  See --> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2165.0
Go card equipment is unreliable and clumsy. Something positive has to be done to drive uptake.

My own personal view is that we have a crisis looming on our public transport system unless something is done now to sort out the mess.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track

[dwb]

If TransLink is unable to manage our public transport please shift control back to the operators so that we can move forwards.
[/quote

pfft. it is probably councils/operators stuffing tta around half the time which is the reason new/improved services take so long to deliver.