Call for OFF PEAK January 2012

[SteelPan]

Open call for Translink Management to consider a period of Off Peak Fares, all day - every day, between January 1 2012 and 26 January 2012 - as a way of stimulating public transit use, during a traditional holiday period and letting those still around town get out-and-about using PT.  Some years back then BCC Transport offered "Busabout" $2.00 all day tickets and they were a considerable success!  So Translink, how about it - all off peak all day between the above two public holiday dates please?

[STB]

January isn't really a holiday period officially and certainly hasn't ever been for me in my years of being in the workforce - heck even with volunteer work at the TV station, I'll still be working!  Exception to the school kids and tertiary students of course.  I wouldn't support this.

[Arnz]

On a related note, the SCRC funds the TransLink bus services (excluding Route 649 railbus) so all bus users on the coast travels free between Dec 26 and Jan 8 via the Taxpayer's PT levy (ie our wallets).

Back on topic, some of us return to work right after the New Years.  

The emergency essentials (Ambos, Fire, Coppers, etc) have to work throughout the Christmas period.

[SteelPan]

 

alllrighty....

The point of my post was not to get a micro-run down from folks on the specifics of their particular holiday plans or lack there of, it's simply to suggest that in Australia, being Christmas/New Year/School holidays/the height of summer etc, January is traditionally a time many - not all - but many people do take some time off!  (For the record, I too have no holiday plans - thrilling info I know) .  But public transport is quiet for much of January, reflecting the fact that many people - but not all - are away.  So, why not show some initative and have an off peak all day deal for much of the month!

[SurfRail]

alllrighty....

The point of my post was not to get a micro-run down from folks on the specifics of their particular holiday plans or lack there of, it's simply to suggest that in Australia, being Christmas/New Year/School holidays/the height of summer etc, January is traditionally a time many - not all - but many people do take some time off!  (For the record, I too have no holiday plans - thrilling info I know) .  But public transport is quiet for much of January, reflecting the fact that many people - but not all - are away.  So, why not show some initative and have an off peak all day deal for much of the month!

It's only 20% off the base price.  That's revenue foregone which isn't being pumped into the execrable levels of service on most of the network.

[ozbob]

Off peak, another view point.

Far better to have a train with 500 pax on a 20% discounted fare than 100 pax on full fare, outside the peaks.

Off peak fare discounts make more seats available in peaks, which fill with premium fares.  Overall, much better fare box.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Translink.....

Good luck! 

[STB]

alllrighty....

The point of my post was not to get a micro-run down from folks on the specifics of their particular holiday plans or lack there of, it's simply to suggest that in Australia, being Christmas/New Year/School holidays/the height of summer etc, January is traditionally a time many - not all - but many people do take some time off!  (For the record, I too have no holiday plans - thrilling info I know) .  But public transport is quiet for much of January, reflecting the fact that many people - but not all - are away.  So, why not show some initative and have an off peak all day deal for much of the month!

Yes, understand the gesture but doubt that would ever happen.  Holidays are traditional at this time of year for children and tertiary students but I doubt that the holidays would be traditional in the modern working environment where it's quite well known that people don't actually take time off as much as they should.  Personally, I don't know anyone who is working who'll be taking the entire month of January off (or part thereof), and in my times of being in the workforce it was actually rare that anyone did take that time off during January (exception to the compulsory closure around Christmas/New Year), and I have been asking my working friends what their plans are.

I think it would be more likely and better to ask for off peak travel around the Ekka holidays than this suggestion.

[SurfRail]

Off peak, another view point.

Far better to have a train with 500 pax on a 20% discounted fare than 100 pax on full fare, outside the peaks.

Off peak fare discounts make more seats available in peaks, which fill with premium fares.  Overall, much better fare box.

Which is exactly why we need to keep pushing for greater price differentials between off-peak and peak all year round - but I don't think "holiday" periods are necessarily the way to do that.

The Sunshine Coast thing is funded by Council, not out of TransLink's funding from Treasury, so a different kettle of fish.

[somebody]

I'm perfectly happy to reserve judgement on the fare policy until we see what happens once it is implemented.  We seem to have gotten most of what we wanted and then some.

[Gazza]

Off peak, another view point.

Far better to have a train with 500 pax on a 20% discounted fare than 100 pax on full fare, outside the peaks.

Off peak fare discounts make more seats available in peaks, which fill with premium fares.  Overall, much better fare box.

A 20% fare drop would not result in a 500% increase in pax I'm sorry to say.
Or that's the worlds most elastic service in terms of demand versus price!

If that were the case, we could smash our 2031 PT mode share target, but just reducing all fares by 20%...Resulting in a 500% increase in pax, resulting in a mode share of 35%.
Problem, Zurich?

But I guess if you are just giving an example, saying
"Far better to have a train with 120 pax on a 20% discounted fare than 100 pax on full fare, outside the peaks."
Doesn't sound as impressive, but it is more realistic.

[ozbob]

Off peak, another view point.

Far better to have a train with 500 pax on a 20% discounted fare than 100 pax on full fare, outside the peaks.

Off peak fare discounts make more seats available in peaks, which fill with premium fares.  Overall, much better fare box.

A 20% fare drop would not result in a 500% increase in pax I'm sorry to say.
Or that's the worlds most elastic service in terms of demand versus price!

If that were the case, we could smash our 2031 PT mode share target, but just reducing all fares by 20%...Resulting in a 500% increase in pax, resulting in a mode share of 35%.
Problem, Zurich?

But I guess if you are just giving an example, saying
"Far better to have a train with 120 pax on a 20% discounted fare than 100 pax on full fare, outside the peaks."
Doesn't sound as impressive, but it is more realistic.

It is example  .  For starters  I said ' Far better to have a train with 500 pax on a 20% discounted fare than 100 pax on full fare, outside the peaks. '  Did I say that a 20% discounted fare would do that?  No, just simply said far better .... 

The fact remains though, off peak fare discounts will no doubt increase above the 20% in the years to come as authorities struggle to cope with surging peak congestion, not only on rail but all modes.

[Gazza]

^I know it was an example, I'm just saying be realistic in what we can expect further discounts to off peak can do in terms of boosting pax, in the context of a system where off peak services are largely poor.

I don't mind the current off peak discount, but I don't think it should go any further. The money we save by not having a bigger discount can go towards higher frequency etc, which IMO is a better driver of patronage than price.

[Set in train]

Open call for Translink Management to consider a period of Off Peak Fares, all day - every day, between January 1 2012 and 26 January 2012 - as a way of stimulating public transit use, during a traditional holiday period and letting those still around town get out-and-about using PT.  Some years back then BCC Transport offered "Busabout" $2.00 all day tickets and they were a considerable success!  So Translink, how about it - all off peak all day between the above two public holiday dates please?

Support and go further.

PT should not be about fares directly tied to funding, this is public transport, funded by the govt, not private-for profit PT eg. Airtrain.

[dwb]

^I know it was an example, I'm just saying be realistic in what we can expect further discounts to off peak can do in terms of boosting pax, in the context of a system where off peak services are largely poor.

I don't mind the current off peak discount, but I don't think it should go any further. The money we save by not having a bigger discount can go towards higher frequency etc, which IMO is a better driver of patronage than price.

From what I can tell there is a fairly big difference in price sensitivity and elasticity between peak and offpeak customers and the price differential should reflect this.

Have you looked at domestic flight prices? There is a significant magnitude of difference between "peak"/fully flexible and last minute, nonflexible nonpeak (or out of demand) seats... PT needs to be the same... bums on seats to cover costs to run offpeak frequency and lots of ppl standing to make money in peak!!

[dwb]

Sunshine Coast gets one better... sort of.
http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-updates/bulletin/1323926782

Sunshine Coast Free Holiday Buses are back

From Monday 26 December 2011, to Sunday 8 January 2012, Sunshine Coast Council (SCC) and TransLink will provide free public transport for everyone on the Sunshine Coast - excluding train travel.

Free services include:

TransLink services
all Sunshine Coast Sunbus services (all 28 routes)
Non-TransLink
Glasshouse Country Coaches (Hinterland Connect and Maleny-Landsborough-Beerwah services)
all Sunshine Coast Flexilink services (Boreen Point to Tewantin, Conondale to Witta to Maleny, Kenilworth to Mapleton and Peachester to Beerwah)
all Sunshine Coast Council Cabs services*
The Free Holiday Bus program is funded by SCC's Public Transport Levy.

The aim of the program is to increase patronage on public transport services and reduce traffic congestion across the coast.

*Please note that normal booking procedures apply to Flexilink and Council Cabs services.

[Arnz]

^^ Funded by the SCRC via the Public Transport Tax/Levy.  

In spite of some people disagreeing with this tax in our rates notices up here, I don't mind paying it tbh.

[dwb]

^^ Funded by the SCRC via the Public Transport Tax/Levy.  

In spite of some people disagreeing with this tax in our rates notices up here, I don't mind paying it tbh.

It is quite minimal tho right? Esp when you compare what a general rates payer in Brisbane contributes to PT... quite a bit more I think you'll find!

Still, I agree with idea of a levy, makes it clearer where the money is going.

[Arnz]

^^ Funded by the SCRC via the Public Transport Tax/Levy.  

In spite of some people disagreeing with this tax in our rates notices up here, I don't mind paying it tbh.

It is quite minimal tho right? Esp when you compare what a general rates payer in Brisbane contributes to PT... quite a bit more I think you'll find!

Still, I agree with idea of a levy, makes it clearer where the money is going.

Correct.  Not as much as Brisbane's PT tax, but still considerable enough.  Considering the extra TransLink services per year (extra weekend 600s, 620s, new 623, etc) + annual Summer Holiday free buses is funded mainly from the SCRC's tax those days.