Article: Premier hands out millionth go card

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From the Redland Times 2nd July 2010 page 6

Premier hands out millionth go card

Premier hands out millionth go card

By Jenna Daroczy

WELLINGTON Point resident Jill De Gros received Queensland's one millionth go card on Monday when the State Government began its 400,000 "great go card giveaway" at Raby Bay Harbour Park.

Ms De Gros said she drove to work as a nurse at Redland Hospital so she could drop her children at school on the way, but her family would use the go card for trips into the city.

Premier Anna Bligh said there would be 10 promotional events held around the state to give away the go cards, loaded with $10 credit, and encourage more people onto public transport.

"We want people to make the switch from paper tickets by early next year and this giveaway is aimed at making it easy for everyone to get on board," Ms Bligh said.

"The one millionth go card is an incredible milestone, just two years after the integrated travel system was rolled out across one of the largest geographical public transport networks in the world."

But Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said despite a strong take up of public transport in the Redlands there were no immediate plans to duplicate the Cleveland train line or fast-track the Eastern Busway to Capalaba.

"We have a great train service to Cleveland, but we are always looking to expand on that," Ms Nolan said.

"There are also substantial bus services in the Redlands, with Veolia increasing their services by 38 per cent over the past five years and construction of the Eastern Busway is well under way."

The busway is currently projected to terminate in Capalaba by 2026.

Redlands MP Peter Dowling criticised the go card giveaway, saying Victoria Point residents were unable to buy a go card in their own town before 8.30am.

"Local newsagents have been trying to get onboard with go cards but this government has restricted the number of outlets and those that have been selected in Victoria Point are so far from the transit area and don't open until well after the morning rush they are almost useless to residents," he said.

For more details on the go card, go to www.translink.qld.gov.au