21 Mar 2010: SEQ: TransLink needs support from the Government

[ozbob]

Media Release 21 March 2010

SEQ:  TransLink needs support from the Government

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 said the failure to introduce improvements to the go card fare structure, the failure to significantly improve bus and train timetables must be the result of financial restrictions on our public transport. Huge fare increases have not yet been met with the promised increases in service delivery (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Public transport commuters are playing their part, paying significant fare increases and staring at further 15% per annum increases for at least the next 4 years, learning to use a smart card ticketing system that promises benefits but still not delivered. Why invest several hundred millions of dollars to do nothing much?  Is it not time that Government started to fund a real ramp up in service delivery, and put in place improvements to the go card fare structure? (2,3)"

"TransLink has improved public transport, integrated ticketing being a huge success.  Unless TransLink is properly supported how on earth can further improvements in service delivery be made? Public discontent is mounting, they look at other public transport jurisdictions in Australia and globally, they see innovative fare structures on smart cards, they note much better frequency and delivery of public transport services. They ask why the state of public transport paralysis in Queensland?"

References:

1. 5 Mar 2010: SEQ: Congestion and public transport http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3533.0

2. 19 Mar 2010: SEQ: Go card cap it! http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3596.0

3. 2 Feb 2010: SEQ: Go card - additional ticketing options required http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3383.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[brismike]

Hi Bob - Do you know what has happened to all the Free Go Cards with $10 credit on them that they promised last year.    The silence has been deafening. 

[ozbob]

Some of the cards have been distributed to Seniors and other Concession card holders (eg. students), it would appear that a targeted roll of those groups is being done first before a wider distribution.