20 Nov 2010: Queensland: Seniors Card +go welcome

[ozbob]

Media release 20 November 2010

Queensland: Seniors Card +go welcome

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 welcomed the introduction of a combined Seniors card and go card  (1).

"From January 17th next year there are price rises for public transport  in south-east Queensland (2).  Single paper tickets will be available as the only alternative to the go card."

"Compared to go card fares these paper tickets will be around 30% more expensive for the equivalent trip. It is essential that Seniors take up the go card to ensure that they can get the best value for travel on the TransLink public transport network, and also receive the benefit of off peak discount and free travel for subsequent trips and journeys after completion of the first two journeys in a 24 hour period."

"For example a 2 zone concession paper single ticket fare will be $2.30, the equivalent go card fare will be $1.56. As the number of zones increases this differential becomes even more significant (2). Many Seniors do more than two journeys in a particular day, so the journey capping will be of real benefit to Senior go card users."

"As a community we need to ensure that all Seniors are made aware of the benefits of the go card relative to the paper ticket and do our utmost to encourage folks to use the go card so the public transport remains accessible and relatively affordable for them. The go card also speeds up public transport particularly bus load times, which is a major benefit to all."

References:

1.  http://www.translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/go-card/seniors-plus-go

2.  http://www.translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/fares/fares-2011

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Discussion thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4874.0