Free public transport zone inner Brisbane, support or not?

[ozbob]

Removing as many cars as possible from the inner city is a good outcome for pedestrians, bicycles (CityCycle?) and buses, and makes it less congested for those who do have drive, delivery vehicles, mobility impaired and so forth.  Perth has the 'Free Transit Zone"

Free Transit Zone (FTZ)

The Free Transit Zone (FTZ) for buses and the SmartRider Free Transit Zone for trains operates within the Perth city boundaries. Passengers can travel within it on any bus or train* for free, as often as they want.

http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/UsingTransperth/FreeTransperthServices.aspx

Would you support such an initiative for Brisbane CBD, say free travel in zone 1 or possibly zone 1 and 2?

Comments?

[O_128]

zone one yes, but make zone 1 slightly larger

[SurfRail]

I think in our case it needs to be funded by a cordon toll. 

It does come with its disadvantages as well, one of which is that (being as bus-centric as we are) it will magnify the difficulty of getting on a bus headed for further out than the edge of the free travel area.  Not an impossible situation, but this is apparently the Perth experience.

[#Metro]

I voted no. Enough freebies/discounts blah blah. PAY UP!!

[Gazza]

^Agreed. Rather than more freebies direct the attention to getting services up to scratch where they are deficient.
I think constant negativity is one thing that turns goverment off, but I reckon asking for freebies and things cheaper all the time is a close second, especially since budgets are tight.

Also, if it's free travel out to zone 2 as suggested in the original post then that becomes an unfair advantage for people specifically living there. You'd have to provide a similar deal for those in the GC CBD, which has the exact same traffic issues.

Perth is one place where zone 1 PT is free, but London, Zurich, Singapore etc run very sucessful PT without free fare zones.

[ozbob]

Interesting responses so far,  this question is being increasingly asked hence I am interested in what others think.

We have 'free' city loop buses of course.

Wouldn't be surprised to see this floated during the election campaign.   Nothing like being prepared ...

[somebody]

It also narrows the loop hole with the 10 journeys then free.

[Arnz]

It also narrows the loop hole with the 10 journeys then free.

It would also encourage outer suburban and coastal commuters to use their local bus system for local trips in the week rather than Brisbane's under the FTA (Zone 1 free) system

[Gazza]

Another point.... The Pacific Motorway gets terrible congestion, so why not make the SEB a FTZ?

[Jonno]

I would love to see a trip within a single zone trip be free to encourage local trips to be made on public transport which are current being made by car.  Caveat is that zone boundaries need to be logical around local trip generators.  The loss in revenue will be offset somewhat or even totally by people discovering that public transport exists and thus reducing congestion (and associated costs) plus using it for longer trips.

[Gazza]

^See, I think making a single zone fare $0 makes more sense, since it doesn't favour people who frequent the CBD. As identified above, it would be good for local trips.

It also narrows the loop hole with the 10 journeys then free.

Under this scenario I'm not sure if savaging your revenue from everyone who goes into zone 1 in order to stop a few coasties from taking lunchtime trips to exploit the loophole.

Though, with all said, I see no reason to change. If people are driving into the CBD then they are paying $20 for parking, so money is no object to them and obviously the current congestion isn't enough of a disincentive, so free travel will do squat.
The CBD will always attract the amount of traffic it can physically take until such time as they actually restrict vehicular movements more heavily.

[SurfRail]

The more I think about, the more I think that the most sensible thing we should be pushing for is to make the distinction between longer and shorter fares a lot more marked.  People like me have a pretty sweet deal - not as good as if I was living in Newcastle and paying less than $2,500 grand for yearly travel to Sydney obviously, but a lot more bang for buck than somebody going to the CBD from say Eight Mile Plains.  Drop the flagfall instead of making it free - you would still likely get a patronage spike, but you wouldn't have to pay as much to get it.

[O_128]

I would love to see a trip within a single zone trip be free to encourage local trips to be made on public transport which are current being made by car.  Caveat is that zone boundaries need to be logical around local trip generators.  The loss in revenue will be offset somewhat or even totally by people discovering that public transport exists and thus reducing congestion (and associated costs) plus using it for longer trips.

I feel this is a better solution than zone 1 All internal travel should be free. I make at least 5+ trips a week within new farm and its a bit of a pain to have to pay so much for so little.

[Gazza]

I think Simon would agree with that one (And me too  )
Reducing the high base fare is an easy way to drive PT use across the network, and help short trips become cheaper than car trips.

[Gazza]

I think Simon would agree with that one (And me too  )
Reducing the high base fare is an easy way to drive PT use across the network, and help short trips become cheaper than car trips.

People like me have a pretty sweet deal - not as good as if I was living in Newcastle and paying less than $2,500 grand for yearly travel to Sydney obviously, but a lot more bang for buck than somebody going to the CBD from say Eight Mile Plains.

OMG, a long distance commuter without self entitlement!!!! 

[Arnz]

I would love to see a trip within a single zone trip be free to encourage local trips to be made on public transport which are current being made by car.  Caveat is that zone boundaries need to be logical around local trip generators.  The loss in revenue will be offset somewhat or even totally by people discovering that public transport exists and thus reducing congestion (and associated costs) plus using it for longer trips.

I feel this is a better solution than zone 1 All internal travel should be free. I make at least 5+ trips a week within new farm and its a bit of a pain to have to pay so much for so little.

+1 to the above.  However, those in Ipswich, Moreton Bay region or the coasts are still able to make a 2 zone trip after work for Dinner during the week (eg Southport to Nerang, Deception Bay to Morayfield Shops, Bundamba to Ipswich, or Marcoola to Maroochydore)  

[AnonymouslyBad]

I vote no. I can't see much of an increase in patronage - except from those who would otherwise walk! It would be nice for visitors, but I really don't think they mind paying a modest fare.

Better places to spend the money.
Would agree with reducing the cost of one-zone travel though.

[Cam]

I voted no. However, I do believe that the cost of a 1 zone journey is too high. Reducing the flagfall on all fares would reduce the cost for shorter journeys proportionately more than longer journeys.

[somebody]

I would love to see a trip within a single zone trip be free to encourage local trips to be made on public transport which are current being made by car.  Caveat is that zone boundaries need to be logical around local trip generators.  The loss in revenue will be offset somewhat or even totally by people discovering that public transport exists and thus reducing congestion (and associated costs) plus using it for longer trips.

Great point.

[Otto]

I would love to see a trip within a single zone trip be free to encourage local trips to be made on public transport which are current being made by car.  Caveat is that zone boundaries need to be logical around local trip generators.  The loss in revenue will be offset somewhat or even totally by people discovering that public transport exists and thus reducing congestion (and associated costs) plus using it for longer trips.

Best idea yet !!!  
But I think this must be a part of the GoCard fare structure.. i.e. Still charge a fare if buying a paper ticket to further encourage GoCard uptake..
( Not all people will be honest if free 1 zone travel includes paper tickets )

[somebody]

But I think this must be a part of the GoCard fare structure.. i.e. Still charge a fare if buying a paper ticket to further encourage GoCard uptake..

I assumed that part.

This would probably require revisiting the zone boundaries.  Under current boundaries, you would be able to travel from Indro to Milton or Kenmore, similar at other nodes like Chermside and probably Carindale.

[Otto]

This would probably require revisiting the zone boundaries.  Under current boundaries, you would be able to travel from Indro to Milton or Kenmore, similar at other nodes like Chermside and probably Carindale.

Yes, agreed..

Imagine free travel from Garden City to the Airport !!! That could be taking the idea a little too far..

[dwb]

In the past I've suggested this as a good idea, and part of me still wants to think it is a good idea, but the rest of my head now says NO WAY!

I think if you did do it you would have to do it for journey length, not Brisbane CBD (zone 1)... ie one zone, but I tend to think that would promote huge park and ride problem at the edge of zone 1 and complicate how journeys and discounts are calculated on go card incredibly.

I'd rather see a moderated approach to the fare rises including much better offpeak discounts. I really don't think offpeak now should cost more than peak in 2004.

[Set in train]

I like the ACT fare model, seems very sensible.

[dwb]

I like the ACT fare model, seems very sensible.

Would you care to elaborate on what that is and why you think it seems sensible?

[somebody]

Isn't it a flat fare model.  Might be good for them, but I do not think it is appropriate for us.