17 Apr 2008: SEQ - 50 000 Go Cards ? some questions

[ozbob]

Media Release 17 April 2008 

SEQ: 50 000 Go Cards ? some questions

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 congratulated Translink on the 50,000th go card being issued, but has said that serious problems remain with the go card (1,2,3).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

?The go card, successfully implemented with a high user uptake promises improved efficiency gains and cost savings for public transport.?

?Fifty thousand go cards is a milestone of sorts. It is a great pity the go card is still unreliable and many commuters have had to abandon it and revert back to paper ticketing due to ongoing problems, particularly on the buses and ferries.?

?The go card frequent user fare structure is expensive relative to the present paper integrated ticketing for many, and this has also acted as a disincentive for use and uptake.?

?Congratulations to the recipient of the $250 go card. Pity normal users are limited to $200 maximum top up.?

?Here are some questions which if answered might show the true situation with the go card:

1.  How many of these 50,000 cards are in active use?

2.  How much of the revenue so far is actually penalties/excess fares not claimed back?

3.  When will the go card be reliable on buses and ferries?

4.  When will equitable fares be introduced?

5.  Is 50,000 really a sign of a successful roll out?

6.  Why haven't go card users been alerted by Translink and the Minister for Transport as to the major time issue with the go card system on buses and encouraged to check their transaction history for excessive charges and make claims for refunds of extra fares and penalties??

Reference:

1.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=746.0

2.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=443.0

3.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?board=27.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Brisbane mX 18 April 2008 page 2 not online

Commuters go for cards

Commuters go for cards

Translink has sold 50,000 Go cards since their staggered introduction this year.

Transport Minister John Mickel said about 3000 people were taking up the cards each week.

"There have been over 800.000 journeys on the cards and almost $2.8 million has been loaded on to the go Card across south Queensland," he said.

But Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said the Government was yet to fix major problems plaguing the system.

Thanks to the mX for following up this release.