18 Oct 2009: SEQ: More ticketing options for go card needed

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Media Release 18 October 2009

SEQ:  More ticketing options for go card needed

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 called for daily, weekly, monthly and yearly ticketing options to be added to the go card.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The new fare strategy is clearly designed to encourage public transport commuters in south-east Queensland to take up the go card.  The inclusion of off peak options on the go card is a very significant improvement and is welcome."

"However, the eventual loss of the periodical paper ticketing will impact severely on many commuters and in the interim paper tickets are facing a huge cost rise from January 2010."

"The new go card fares are set at the 2007 single fare paper cost.  This means though that users of periodical paper tickets are facing very significant increases in their public transport costs.  For example the soon to be phased out 12 month QR rail pass for zone 15 travel costs $2990.  Under the new go card fare structure the equivalent go card fare cost will be $4320.  This is an increase of 46 per cent.  The projected annual fare increases of 15 per cent per annum for the next five years will further add to these financial impacts."

"What is needed is similar fare options as is the case for the Oyster card in London (2).  Daily, weekly, monthly and yearly ticket options should be added to the go card as further affordable ticketing options before January 2010.  This would also further encourage go card uptake."

"The go card environment also needs to be radically improved.  Some things for consideration include much improved administrative support, online forms for refund of fixed fares, stepped up education and help booths for new users.  An amnesty period for new users would be a good idea, particularly if the fixed fares penalties are increased (presently $3 bus/ferry, $5 rail, planned to be $5 bus/ferry $10 rail - concession half of those) this will be essential or again lots of grief in the streets.   More go card  readers at rail stations is necessary to cope with the peak surges.  There will be considerable flack from commuters I expect if this is not done."

References:

1.   http://www.translink.com.au/alert.php?id=173

2.   http://oystercard.110mb.com/fares.htm

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

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From the Courier Mail click here!

Commuters demand Go Card discount packages

Commuters demand Go Card discount packages
Article from: The Courier-Mail

Patrick Lion

October 20, 2009 11:00pm

COMMUTERS are demanding Go Card discounts, claiming some travellers will be up to $1400 a year worse off under even before massive fare hikes begin.

Lobby group Back on Track has raised concerns over the impact of the new fare structure on high-use travellers currently using weekly or monthly paper tickets, which will be phased out.

For example, a current Queensland Rail pass for 15 zones between Brisbane and Robina costs $2990 for 12 months.

But under the new system implemented in January, a Go Card user travelling five days a week would be slugged $4320 a year.

This bill would continue to rise 15 per cent a year until 2014.

The Government has attempted to claim the fare rises are necessary to ensure southeast Queensland has a world-class public transport system similar to New York or London.

However, commuters in both those cities pay a flat fare for unlimited use of their smartcards over a day, week, fortnight or three month-period.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan last night dismissed the schemes and backed her option.

"We have opted to reward frequent customers with a 50 per cent discount when more than 10 journeys are taken in a Monday to Sunday week," she said in a statement.

However, Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said the Government's research showed 95 per cent of commuters took 10 or fewer trips a week and would therefore not get the discount.

"We are very concerned about the cost impact on high users who travel five days a week (10 trips) and may be forced back on to the roads," Mr Dow said.

"They haven't looked at options for high-use travellers to use public transport."

The criticism comes after the group initially gave broad support to the measures last week when The Courier-Mail revealed the new strategy aimed at pushing commuters from paper tickets to the hi-tech Go Card.

Go Card fares will initially rise about 20 per cent from January 4 while commuters who linger on paper tickets will be slugged up to 40 per cent.

But the increases until 2014 will be far greater, with most fares to rise about 110 per cent over five years.

For example, an adult five-zone trip will rise from the present $3.44 to $7.19 in January, 2014.

Thanks Courier Mail for following this important issue up.