31 July 2010: SEQ: Walk to the Ekka rail passengers

[ozbob]

Media Release 31st July 2010

SEQ:  Walk to the Ekka rail passengers

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 again highlighted the failure of the Brisbane Exhibition to properly support public transport travel to and from the Exhibition (1).  Travel by bus incurs no extra fare for public transport commuters transferring but rail passengers are required to pay an additional fare to travel from the CBD to the Exhibition station as well as the normal fare to and from the CBD (2).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The Shows in Melbourne and Sydney, the equivalent of the Brisbane Exhibition include public transport travel to and from the shows as part of the admission ticket.  This is sensible and actually encourages more patrons to attend the shows.  This is a lesson that the Brisbane Exhibition organisers fail to grasp.  No doubt the car parking 'gouge' has something to do with it."

"Each year, rail passengers are slugged an extra fare, bus passengers are not (1).  We suggest that this year rail passengers, if able, detrain at Fortitude Valley or Bowen Hills railway stations and walk to the Exhibition.  The active transport will do you good and passengers will have the satisfaction of not having to pay the additional fare costs.  Alternatively detrain at Central or Roma St and make use of the  buses. Transfer within the hour and you can travel free with your go card and seamlessly with a valid paper ticket."

"The Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association was slammed by TransLink in 2009 (3) for the failure to support proper public transport arrangements, and for the 2010 the Brisbane Exhibition is still in a state of denial. It would be the benefit to all if Exhibition railway station was treated as a normal zone one station and ticketing was made seamless.  This would encourage maximum utilisation of public transport to and from the Ekka, and in so doing actually saving the community in terms of reduced congestion and less road trauma. Attendance at the Exhibition would also be improved no doubt.  As it is, the travel arrangements are absurd and anti-public transport."


References:

1.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2316.0

2.  http://www.translink.com.au/ekka2010_fares.php#addon

3.  TransLink slams Ekka rail shame Brisbane mX 17th July 2009 page 4 http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2316.msg12161#msg12161

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

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