Increase the number of transfers on the go card?

[ozbob]

The time limit to complete a journey on the go card is now 6 hours (up from 5).  Do you think that the number of transfers should be increased from 3?

"Your journey must continue from the same
zone or adjoining zone.

There is a 1 hour time limit between transfers.
That means you must touch on to your trip
within 60 minutes of touching off at the end of
your previous trip.

You must touch on to your final trip within 3.5
hours of when you started your first trip. You
have 6 hours to complete the journey.

You can transfer up to 3 times across all zones."


http:// http://translink.com.au/resources/tickets-and-fares/go-card/120701-user-guide-part-1.pdf page 11

Choose your response.

Increasing the number of transfers will also make it more difficult to complete a serial 9 journey cap sequence.

[somebody]

Is there plausible travel which might be done in more than 4 trips?  I guess:
Bus to Ipswich
Rail to Corinda
104 to Yeerongpilly/Park Rd
Rail to Gold Coast
Bus to destination

Is about the best I can come up with, but I think it might be more likely to be done without the 104.

[ozbob]

Some folks could benefit from an increase.  E.g. job searchers, shoppers and so forth.  Numbers wouldn't be great, as for the benefit from increasing the journey limit to 6 hour, not many really benefit as such, but still good for the longer journeys.

In the case of increasing the transfer limit I think it has value to help dissuade 9 journey cap serial rorting per se.

[somebody]

In the case of increasing the transfer limit I think it has value to help dissuade 9 journey cap rorting per se.

Good point.

[Fares_Fair]

4 transfers seems a sensible even number for to-ing and fro-ing.

Is the reason why the journey time allowance has been increased from 5 to 6 hours, based upon practical feedback from customers?
Any reason given for the change?

[ozbob]

4 transfers seems a sensible even number for to-ing and fro-ing.

Is the reason why the journey time allowance has been increased from 5 to 6 hours, based upon practical feedback from customers?
Any reason given for the change?

No, no reason or no announcement (yet) ... media has followed up ...  I suspect though that some long haulers have suggested the change.

[Mr X]

I can think of a plausible journey I might take which would require 4 transfers.

196 (Dutton Park to City) -> Caboolture train (City to Caboolture) -> 649 (Caboolture to Landsborough) -> 605 (Landsborough to Caloundra) -> 609 (Caloundra to Golden Beach)

4 transfers.

http://jp.translink.com.au/travel-information/journey-planner/your-travel-options/-341961581
5 transfers

I'd certainly advocate it to be increased to 4 transfers.

[Arnz]

Another may be, and you're missed the express on less frequent intercity rail service on a weekend/public holiday timetable (eg Nambour)

Bus from suburb in Ipswich to Ipswich Station
Ipswich Station to Central
Central to Caboolture
Caboolture to Landsborough
Landsborough to Caloundra/Maroochydore.
Caloundra/Maroochydore to Sunshine Coast suburb (eg local hourly coverage buses eg 602, 603, 609, 614, 617 619, etc).

5 transfers.  The reverse may also apply from the Coast to Ipswich and beyond.  But sign me up for the 4 transfers crowd.

[HappyTrainGuy]

I remember the JP telling me on one occasion to 338 to Aspley Interchange + 336 to Geebung Station + train Geebung to Zillmere + 327/333 to Bracken Ridge + 326 to get to Sandgate + 310/690 to Brighton.

Wonder if its changed much since the new buz routes, the 335 extension to Sandgate and the host of new routes that the northside now has  ...

338 Chermside + 330 Zillmere School + 326 Sandgate + 695 to Brighton... 1h49m...

Talk about a total kick in the balls when combining hourly and 2 hourly frequencies. At least its cracked the 2 hour barrier :conf

[triplethree]

Another may be, and you're missed the express on less frequent intercity rail service on a weekend/public holiday timetable (eg Nambour)

Bus from suburb in Ipswich to Ipswich Station
Ipswich Station to Central
Central to Caboolture
Caboolture to Landsborough
Landsborough to Caloundra/Maroochydore.
Caloundra/Maroochydore to Sunshine Coast suburb (eg local hourly coverage buses eg 602, 603, 609, 614, 617 619, etc).

5 transfers.  The reverse may also apply from the Coast to Ipswich and beyond.  But sign me up for the 4 transfers crowd.

That's only three transfers (four trips). You don't touch on or touch off when changing trains.

I can't think of a journey that any rational person would make that would require more than four transfers (five trips). Every bus route in the TransLink system either meets a railway station, or meets another route that meets a railway station.

Yes, it's possible to get from A to B in more than five trips, but there's always a more direct way that does it in five trips or less.

Of course, I'm willing to be proved wrong.

[HappyTrainGuy]

In my experience... for the northside atleast... if you want less transfers expect to go to places you don't want to, longer waits for the bus or going through zones such as via City.

Edit: The epic halirity of trying to use PT on the northside.

3 transfers 1 zone travelled $3.05. 2h30m. 338+327+326+690 (Monday-Saturday only)
3 transfers 4-5 zones travelled $3.58. 1h49m. 338+330+326+695 (previously used to be 4 transfers or more depending on the time eg via Toombul/via Geebung/via Aspley/via Boondall)
2 transfers 1-5 zones travelled $5.45. 2h08m. 359+Shorncliffe train+690

[Mr X]

Would this be possibly one? (from looking @ Gold Coast bus network map)
764 Currumbin -> Pines
761 Pines -> Varsity Lakes Station
Train Varsity Lakes Station -> Caboolture (change at Central- remains one trip)
649 Caboolture -> Landsborough
615 Landsborough -> Maroochydore
Maroochydore -> random suburb

5 transfers

I'd say that the change should be made. There wouldn't be many trips to be affected and those who it would benefit would be in the minority. No real revenue loss.

[triplethree]

Yeah, I didn't think of the 649 railbus. Though how many people want to get from Currumbin to Maroochydore?

In any case, the last touch-on will be more than 3.5 hours after the first touch-on for the 764 at Currumbin, so even if you increased the maximum number of transfers it wouldn't matter.

BTW where did you find a Gold Coast network map, Mr X? I have one which I drew myself using glued-together Google Maps printouts and a pack of coloured textas, but the only one on the TransLink website is an out-of-date stick-figure diagram of Gold Coast Hwy services only.

[SurfRail]

Various private individuals have put them together.  I know for a fact that one which appeared on SkyscraperCity is used by TransLink and GCCC staff.  Speaks volumes...

I had one for my own use but I've since lost it.

[somebody]

Lost it?  Isn't it still downloadable.  I'm guessing lost the means of producing it.

[Mr X]

Yeah, I didn't think of the 649 railbus. Though how many people want to get from Currumbin to Maroochydore?

Still a valid trip none the less

In any case, the last touch-on will be more than 3.5 hours after the first touch-on for the 764 at Currumbin, so even if you increased the maximum number of transfers it wouldn't matter.

True, though is it possible to do that trip under 3.5hrs, including bus transfers?

BTW where did you find a Gold Coast network map, Mr X? I have one which I drew myself using glued-together Google Maps printouts and a pack of coloured textas, but the only one on the TransLink website is an out-of-date stick-figure diagram of Gold Coast Hwy services only.

I used this one: http://translink.com.au/resources/travel-information/network-information/maps/region/120601-gold-coast.pdf
It's pretty sh%t and useless. I was looking for a route which didn't terminate at a train line.

[somebody]

Wasn't the 3.5hr limit increased recently?

[ozbob]

Wasn't the 3.5hr limit increased recently?

No, only the maximum journey time extended from 5 to 6 hours.  ( http://translink.com.au/resources/tickets-and-fares/go-card/120701-user-guide-part-1.pdf page 11)

If the number of allowable transfers was increased it would be reasonable to expect the 3.5 hour limit would be increased, say 4.5 hours ..

[somebody]

Ah, Ok.

[Fares_Fair]

What are the negative impacts of doing this?

[ozbob]

None really.  Theoretical loss of some fare revenue but offset by less cap rorting.

What has not been said is that with the journey time extension, there is a bigger loop hole than what was before.   Some people simply don't touch off and touch on again under some circumstances, when breaking a journey.

The other thing that goes on is that they don't touch off on arrival at a destination, go off and do whatever and come back then touch off.  Wait, touch on and carry on.

[Mr X]

Oh true, it makes it harder for people to rack up 9 trips by going between the Cultural Centre and South Bank on Monday mornings. Instead of doing 36 individual trips, they now need to take 45 trips