Ministerial Statement: go cards for sale on the river

[ozbob]

Transport and Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk
04/08/2011

go cards for sale on the river

Go cards will soon be offered for sale on board all CityCat and CityFerry services, Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk announced today.

Ms Palaszczuk told State Parliament the option to purchase go cards on board CityCat and CityFerry services would add an additional 27 outlets to the 570-strong go card retail network.

"Customers are able to top-up go cards on board all TransLink river services and this will allow those visiting the region to purchase a pre-loaded go card when they're on board," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"This simple-to-use system will allow users to integrate with other public transport modes and access the iconic sights and attractions of South East Queensland.

"We are continuing to expand our go card network, which has now been used for one-quarter of a billion trips since 2008.

"These are some of the best value river services in the world with most trips cheaper in 2011 than they were in 2003.

"Patronage on river services has been fluctuating since mid-2009 and services came to halt during the floods.

"This is just one way we can encourage people back to public transport to make our river services more attractive for recreation users and visitors."

Ms Palaszczuk said go cards will be available for sale on CityCats and CityFerries in coming months.

Last month Premier Anna Bligh announced an unprecedented partnership between the Commonwealth and State Governments to commit $145 million to replace the Brisbane Ferry and CityCat Terminals and the Riverwalk.

An expert panel had selected the three finalists to design the new terminals:

·Second Nature Collaborative (Candalepas, Owen&Vokes, Richards&Spence Architects) with ARUP

·Shane Thompson Architects & Lat27 with Bill Short Engineers

·Cox Rayner Architects / Alexander Lotersztain (Derlot)

The winner will be announced today.