11 Feb 2008: SEQ: Go Card still needs a fair fare!

[ozbob]

Media Release 11 February 2008

SEQ:  Go Card still needs a fair fare!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport has again called for an urgent review of the Go Card frequent user fare scheme.  It is too expensive for many commuters and there is a lot of community concern and growing anti-Go Card sentiment.  The roll out of the Go Card has been a public relations disaster because of the cost impacts to regular public transport commuters.

Robert Dow said:

?The Translink Go Card is progressively being rolled out.?

?Commuters are waking up to the significance of the high cost frequent user fare scheme.  RAIL Back On Track has previously highlighted some of the impacts of this inequitable fare structure (1).?

?RAIL Back On Track has received feedback and there are many reports in the media of very dissatisfied Go Card users who are becoming aware of the significant increases in their cost of travel relative to integrated paper ticketing.?

?Calls have been made previously for guarantees that no commuters would be worse off using the Go Card.  Clearly that is not the case and explains the non response to these calls.?

?The Translink Go Card frequent user scheme is a failure.  Base fares on the card should be reduced by 25% to provide an equitable fare and incentive to uptake.  This is typical for other smart card ticketing systems.  They provide real incentives for uptake which just reflect the improvements in the efficiency of public transport that can be achieved by a high uptake of the card.?

?The Go Card is a wasted opportunity because of the bizarre fare structure on the card,? said Robert Dow, spokesman for RAIL Back On Track.

References:

1. Go Card users do your sums!  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=443.0

Contact:

Robert  Dow

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