Ministerial Statement: Commuters embracing new gocard ticketing system

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
07/03/2008

Commuters embracing new gocard ticketing system

The Queensland Government's go card continues to gain popularity with more than 22,000 cards issued to commuters since the rollout began on the Sunshine Coast in late January.

Minister for Transport John Mickel said the take up had steadily increased with around 1000 new go cards now being issued every week day.

"This is a fantastic result and shows people are embracing the convenience of the go card,'' he said.

"The go card provides commuters using rail, bus or ferry services with an option to using paper tickets, which will still be available. It is all about choice.

"Having a go card means you can top up your fare credit on line, you don't need to carry change around with you and there is no need to queue for paper tickets,'' Mr Mickel said.

"All you need to remember is to touch on at the beginning of your journey and touch off at the end of your trip so the correct fare can be deducted.''

Mr Mickel said it was vital people remembered to touch on and off to ensure they were deducted the correct fare and to ensure they qualified for the loyalty program, which offers half price travel within a week (Monday to Sunday) after every sixth journey taken.

Mr Mickel said the go card covered a huge geographic area of more than 10,000 square kilometres from Gympie to Coolangatta and west to Helidon, integrating fares across 23 zones and 17 public transport operators.

"Introducing go card has been a hugely complex task, with more than 14,000 locations programmed into the 8000 go card readers, consoles and other devices across South East Queensland to enable us to automatically calculate fares.

"The ticketing technology is cutting edge and the continued take-up of the card shows commuters are welcoming the paperless option.''

Go cards are available at more than 130 retailers or on line by visiting www.translink.com.au

March 7, 2008

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[ozbob]

The uptake will be a lot higher once we have an equitable fare.

There are still a number of issues to be resolved, but progress has been made!   

I noticed the Quest Citynews March 6 page 12 had a Go Card advertisement by Translink beneath  an article 'Go Card sparks mixed commuter reactions'.
Many of the letters in that article were in direct conflict to the ad. 

[Derwan]

There may have been 22,000 cards issues, but I guarantee not all of them are in use.

A friend from work picked up a couple (for him and his wife) when they were being handed out as his local station.  He doesn't plan to use them until a better FU scheme is introduced (or he's forced off monthlies).

By accepting ones being handed out now, he doesn't have to pay the card deposit.

Here's one for the minister - we want the stats on:

1.  How many Go Cards have a balance greater than zero?
2.  How many distinct Go Cards were used each week since its introduction?  (That is, the card was used for at least 1 trip during the week.)

[Fares_Fair]

Ask him how many have been handed back ?
I Wonder if they will keep those stats ?

[Zoiks]

how do i go about getting a card without putting a deposit down?

[Derwan]

how do i go about getting a card without putting a deposit down?

If they're still handing them out, track them down at one of the locations and dates on this page.