Auto top-up of Go Cards and axing of 400 bus

[ozbob]

Auto top-up of Go Cards and axing of 400 bus

Interview on 612 ABC Brisbane Breakfast click here!

Comment:

Page 7 TransLink Tracker 2008-2009  Q4   http://download.translink.com.au/about/0809q4_tracker.pdf

Million of go card trips  Mar  5 million (310,000 cards issued),  Apr 4.2 million (325,00 cards issued), May 4.5 million (350,000 cards issued) , Jun 4.4 million (370.000 cards issued).

For the period Mar to June 2009, the trips actually fell as go cards issued increased.    The next quarter will probably show this turning around and will now go up as users forced to move to go card.

But the figures are there for all to see  ...

[ozbob]

trip [millions]/go cards issued index

(the average number of trips per go card issued)

16.13  Mar 2009

12.92  Apr 2009

12.86  May 2009

11.89  Jun  2009

What this implies is that people were dropping the go card and returning to paper over this period.  

The increase in go cards issued was not matched by similar increase in go card trips.  No real surprise.  

The next quarters figures will be interesting, probably show a reversal as people start to face the inevitable ..

[dwb]

Yep, I was one of those passengers that got a go card, then dropped it and returned to paper tickets. I have recently go a new go card and am trying to deal with the frustrations.

Yesterday I didn't take it out of my wallet and it went red twice then was successful, then when i tagged off (once) it said I was charged the penalty. I did nothing wrong and this just represents the problems remaining with the card.

Not only that but it means I'll be denied my frequent user discount this week :X

[Fares_Fair]

I'm one who is postponing the inevitable for as long as I can.
No wretched go card for this little bunny ... not until January 2011,
when I'll start driving again !

Why, because - for it's costs - it's a far more reliable mode of transport.
Many of my fellow long-distance commuters got fed up with the constant signal failures and track faults
and returned to driving because their employment relied upon them getting to meetings on time.

Ms Nolan,
The Sunshine Coast line and it's meagre services are a disgrace !
Why are we left the poor cousins whilst the Gold Coast gets the cream of new services and new trains ?

Regards,
Fares_Fair