2014 fares

[Stillwater]

At a guess, the government probably is working on a new fare structure, most likely to be revealed at the time of the next state election.  Until ten, Mr Emerson will continue his cynical line ... telling us that the current fares are a legacy of Labor and would be worse had they remained in power.  It is almost impossible to consider that someone within government (bureaucrats) hasn't worked out the farebox death spiral and is preparing advice for the minister and the LNP government.  This must involve the purchase of an upgraded go-card system.  The consideration would be around how much it would cost and what would be the revenue boost it would generate by having a greater number of ticket options, including all-day rovers or three-day passes etc.

[SurfRail]

All that really needs to happen is this:

1. Scupper paper tickets.

2. Adjust pricing increments to lower or remove flagfall.

3. Remove all gimmicks like the pensioners freeby, 9 then free etc.

4. Increase off-peak discount to 30-40%.

Done.  Can be done entirely with the back-end systems they have in place now.  the only issue is the price modelling.  Whoever did it for them previously should be blacklisted, and if they are actually working at TMR, sacked.  Period.

[ozbob]

^ second that ..

[#Metro]

SIMPLES!! No ticket? No problem, just text it!!

Stockholm has also eliminated paper ticketing on buses like Melbourne has.
---

Text-me-a-ticket

Use Text-me-a-ticket if you don't have a travelcard or another prepaid ticket and need a ticket fast. Works for you who have registered for the service at sl.se/sms (only in Swedish for the time being).

http://sl.se/en/Visitor/Tickets/Text-me-a-ticket/

If you want to buy a text message ticket, you send a text message to 076-720 10 10.

The text message must include the letters for the zones you want to travel in and a letter for full or reduced price.
Message should include a combination of the following letters:

    A or a for travelling within zone A
    B or b for travelling within zone B
    C or c for travelling within zone C
    H or h for full price (adults)
    R or r for reduced price (under the age of 20 or over 65)

For example, if you are an adult travelling within zone A you text the message HA to receive the correct ticket.
Which zone?

If you just travel in the Metro system and in the city centre, you are in zone A.

If you want to travel from zone A to zone C you will have to travel through zone B, thus you need to pay for that zone as well.

Use the zone map to find out which zone or zones you need to pay for.
Pre-registration necessary

To use the Text-me-a-ticket service you need to register your phone number and sign up for a method of payment in advance. You can pay with a bank card or with a monthly bill (available to Swedis citizens).

There is a quick-registration service available for those with a Swedish personal ID number ("personnummer"). To use that, just text your ticket code to 076-720 10 10 and you will get a registration form in return.

[BrizCommuter]

SIMPLES!! No ticket? No problem, just text it!!

Stockholm has also eliminated paper ticketing on buses like Melbourne has.
---

Text-me-a-ticket

Use Text-me-a-ticket if you don't have a travelcard or another prepaid ticket and need a ticket fast. Works for you who have registered for the service at sl.se/sms (only in Swedish for the time being).

http://sl.se/en/Visitor/Tickets/Text-me-a-ticket/

If you want to buy a text message ticket, you send a text message to 076-720 10 10.

The text message must include the letters for the zones you want to travel in and a letter for full or reduced price.
Message should include a combination of the following letters:

    A or a for travelling within zone A
    B or b for travelling within zone B
    C or c for travelling within zone C
    H or h for full price (adults)
    R or r for reduced price (under the age of 20 or over 65)

For example, if you are an adult travelling within zone A you text the message HA to receive the correct ticket.
Which zone?

If you just travel in the Metro system and in the city centre, you are in zone A.

If you want to travel from zone A to zone C you will have to travel through zone B, thus you need to pay for that zone as well.

Use the zone map to find out which zone or zones you need to pay for.
Pre-registration necessary

To use the Text-me-a-ticket service you need to register your phone number and sign up for a method of payment in advance. You can pay with a bank card or with a monthly bill (available to Swedis citizens).

There is a quick-registration service available for those with a Swedish personal ID number ("personnummer"). To use that, just text your ticket code to 076-720 10 10 and you will get a registration form in return.

A bit useless for people who have not pre-registered their phone with the service.

[#Metro]

There is a quick-registration service available for those with a Swedish personal ID number ("personnummer"). To use that, just text your ticket code to 076-720 10 10 and you will get a registration form in return.

[techblitz]

have to admit though briz Its a relatively simplistic but plausible idea...
I can see it now.....ticket texted.....20 mins later a transit officer boards requesting to see your ticket...you pull out the phone only to realise the battery is flat 
This is when the t/o would need to somehow track/confirm your ticket purchase...

[#Metro]

Why would this be hard, just check to see if the website sent a ticket to that phone number or, shock horror, issue a suspended fine contingent on proof that a ticket was purchased at the time.

How is this any worse than taking go card to the bus only to find (insert scary music)  the GoCard equipment has broken down.

[BrizCommuter]

Why would this be hard, just check to see if the website sent a ticket to that phone number or, shock horror, issue a suspended fine contingent on proof that a ticket was purchased at the time.

How is this any worse than taking go card to the bus only to find (insert scary music)  the GoCard equipment has broken down.

But quite frankly, anyone lazy/un-educated enough to not use a go card (i.e. current paper ticket users), are not going to get around to registering and purchasing a ticket with their mobile phone are they?

[ozbob]

Go card off peak fares from tomorrow are around 55% the cost of the equivalent paper single! 

Melbourne is doing fine with only myki.  I think in time most jurisdictions will move to smart card  and open payment only.

I expect paper will go with the next generation of our ticketing system from 2016 ...

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

5th January 2014

Re: SEQ: Bus cost explosion - zone one paper ticket fare breaks $5 barrier

Greetings,

Ten years ago a South East Explorer daily paper ticket got unlimited transport within all SEQ for around $10.40. Today this will take you just ONE zone return on a paper ticket!

The public are fed up with the massive cost explosions, one result of Brisbane City Council rejecting the TransLink bus review. No transit agency in the world has made its fares more affordable or improved services by retaining waste, duplication and inefficiency. By losing control of the bus route planning, the Queensland Government has lost control of service costs and thus the ticket prices of public transport. Buying services off monopoly operators such as Brisbane Transport is another factor. There is little mention of the fact that BCC residents are also paying $400 in annual subsidies to prop up the buses in addition to the extreme fares they will be hit with on Monday.

It is time to consider these points:

1. Abolish all paper tickets within 6 months. Melbourne and Stockholm have already done so.  From tomorrow go card off peak fares are 55% of the equivalent paper single ticket!

2. New fare system is needed. Adjust pricing increments to lower or remove flagfall.  Fix zone anomalies.

3. Remove all gimmicks and replace with everyday low fares.

4. Increase the off-peak discount.

5. Reverse the Queensland Government's 1925 decision to hand public transport control to BCC.

6. Reform the bus network as was proposed by TransLink in 2013.

It doesn't matter that the LNP have halved Labor's fare increase from 15% to 7.5% - The 7.5% increase is still an obscene increase and way above inflation.

Best wishes,
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

References:

Southeast Queensland public transport go card fares to rise from Monday http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/southeast-queensland-public-transport-go-card-fares-to-rise-from-monday/story-fnihsrf2-1226794578637

Translink fare hike to make Brisbane Australia's most expensive http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/translink-fare-hike-to-make-brisbane-australias -most-expensive-20140103-30910.html

AB Storstockholms Lokaltrafik
http://sl.se/en/visitor/tickets/
Tickets and travelcards are sold via our agents, at the SL Center and at commuter train stations.
You cannot purchase a ticket onboard the buses.

Media release 3 Jan 2014



SEQ: Bus cost explosion - zone one paper ticket fare breaks $5 barrier

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers highlights fares breaking the $5 barrier for one zone.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The effect of Brisbane City Council opposing the TransLink bus review has contributed to the explosive cost of public transport across all of SEQ. The result is that fares have exploded in cost to be some of the highest in the world. With an extortionate increase of 7.5% from Monday, family budgets are going to be hit and worst affected will be the vulnerable and needy in the community who rely on public transport to be affordable, such as the unemployed."

"The fare costs to travel just one zone on a paper ticket are now $5.20 one way and $10.40 return. GoCard is not much better with a return trip for one zone being just over $7. This is an embarrassment to Queensland. No wonder car park operators are out in force outside train and busway stations spruiking discount car parking deals."

"We believe that more people will exit the public transport system, leading to a loss in fare revenue and increasing subsidy - a death spiral. Go card off peak fares are around 55% the cost of a paper single ticket!

"We call for all paper ticketing to be abolished within 6 months and the removal of public transport planning responsibilities from Brisbane City Council, reversing the Queensland Government's 1925 decision to hand BCC public transport control."

"The sooner the bus network control is removed from BCC hands, the quicker the network can be re-organised to be efficient, properly mode integrated and fares lowered."

References:

1 . TransLink fares and ticketing 2014 http://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/fares/fares-and-ticketing-2014

2.  SEQ Public Transport Affordability ' Death Spiral'  http://backontrack.org/images/tl/farespiral.jpg



Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Remember when a Zone 1 paper ticket cost 80c?

10 years ago (2004) you could get a South East Explorer Ticket valid on buses and trains for $10.40 or thereabouts. TODAY this will get you a return paper ticket trip for ONE ZONE.

EXTORTION!!

NSW MyMulti Day Pass $23 Adult $11.50 concession

http://www.transportnsw.info/sites/en/tickets/day-passes/mymulti-day.page

A MyMulti DayPass allows you unlimited travel all day on Sydney and intercity trains, Sydney and Regional buses including Newcastle, Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Hunter and Illawarra services, and some Private buses that connect with Intercity train services, Sydney Ferries, the Stockton ferry in Newcastle, and light rail in Sydney.

A good deal ...  SEQ is a backwater ...

[ozbob]

When you look at the fares in other jurisdictions, we in SEQ are looking like ramshackle rabble ...

[ozbob]

FARE-mageddon Monday ...  6th January 2014

--> http://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/fares/fares-and-ticketing-2014

[#Metro]

I can't remember exactly when GoCard came in, but TransLink came in 2004. The original intention was for CARDS TO REPLACE ALL PAPER and not the current situation where we now have TWO SYSTEMS running together! Running two systems side by side is Hi-Waste!

I think I remember it was Nolan (Transport Minister at the time) that announced that paper ticketing was not possible to remove it all. And then Melbourne dumped all paper ticketing...

Time to finish off the job I say. Not 100% sure when the Cubic contract runs out but I hope that paper can be wiped out with the new contractor. I really do hope the designers of the Perth System put their hat into the ring, I have a good impression of the SmartRider system they have.

[STB]

I can't remember exactly when GoCard came in, but TransLink came in 2004. The original intention was for CARDS TO REPLACE ALL PAPER and not the current situation where we now have TWO SYSTEMS running together! Running two systems side by side is Hi-Waste!

I think I remember it was Nolan (Transport Minister at the time) that announced that paper ticketing was not possible to remove it all. And then Melbourne dumped all paper ticketing...

Time to finish off the job I say. Not 100% sure when the Cubic contract runs out but I hope that paper can be wiped out with the new contractor. I really do hope the designers of the Perth System put their hat into the ring, I have a good impression of the SmartRider system they have.

Go Cards came in during 2008 officially, although I think there were trials around Redcliffe in 2007.  I've heard that the Cubic contract runs out in 2016, although I'm happy to be corrected.

[SurfRail]

I can't remember exactly when GoCard came in, but TransLink came in 2004. The original intention was for CARDS TO REPLACE ALL PAPER and not the current situation where we now have TWO SYSTEMS running together! Running two systems side by side is Hi-Waste!

I think I remember it was Nolan (Transport Minister at the time) that announced that paper ticketing was not possible to remove it all. And then Melbourne dumped all paper ticketing...

Time to finish off the job I say. Not 100% sure when the Cubic contract runs out but I hope that paper can be wiped out with the new contractor. I really do hope the designers of the Perth System put their hat into the ring, I have a good impression of the SmartRider system they have.

Nolan's position was (I think) that single-use go-cards would be prohibitively expensive to implement.  That may be as well, but there is no real need for them so it's a furphy that paper has to remain.

[ozbob]

...
In Dubai and many systems in Europe, the single use ticket and longerterm ticket are basically the same. Issued from same machines, used on same automatic gates etc etc, so the running costs are very low. There is a small premimum on the single use ticket as you would expect, but nothing as stupid as Qld ..

Exactly, and therein is the fatal flaw with go card and paper tickets.  In 2010 they were going to remove paper and introduce a limited life go card.  This could have been covered with a 10% surcharge over normal go card fares to cover the costs.  BUT they failed to take responsible decisions.  They cancelled the paper withdrawal, spun that limited life go cards were too expensive, and introduced the 2010 five year fare fail.  Flawed policy to the extreme.

There is no doubt that the fare system for SEQ is now a major basket case.  Rorting and fare evasion sky rocketing as the high unaffordability levels hit hard.  It will only be worse from tomorrow with another 7.5%.  Paper single fares in SEQ are now the dearest fares in the world, for in many SEQ locations with poor service frequency and connectivity.

go card fare levels are the dearest in Australia and up there world wide in the top 3 or 4 jurisdictions.

SEQ = FARE FAILURE

[ozbob]

The new tender for ticketing is due around 2016.  The go card is not a lay down misere either ..   I understand they will be looking at all options for the future ticketing options.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

RT @LexyHS Public transport hikes tomorrow find out how much @7NewsBrisbane at 6 you won't believe where we rank world wide #qldpol

[ozbob]

FARE-mageddon Monday ...  6th January 2014

--> http://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/fares/fares-and-ticketing-2014

7 News Brisbane 5th January 2014

[Gazza]

Nolan's position was (I think) that single-use go-cards would be prohibitively expensive to implement.

I don't really see why that would be the case. They could have just put a fixed surcharge on disposables with a view to full cost recovery of the ticket media and distribution.

[ozbob]

I understand they will be looking at all options.  That could be an enhanced go card with open payment and so forth, it could conceivably be a new system. Clearly go has a foothold so to speak, but the limitations on the present setup (limited fare options for example, limited payment and top up options etc.) will need to be addressed.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

6th January 2014

Go! - Avoid single paper ticket ripoff - FARE-mageddon Monday is here!

Greetings,

From today, fares on the TransLink public transport network increase 7.5%.  This is many times inflation/CPI and will only make the already unaffordable fares even more so. Since 2010 go card fares have now increased in real terms around 83%, paper tickets 114%. Today is FARE-mageddon Monday!

The cost of single paper ticket fares relative to the go card is very excessive.  It is in  the best interests of all public transport users to move to a go card, even if they are not doing 9 journeys or more a week.  By moving to a go card they also assist in improving considerably running times for buses as well.

Paper tickets are at least 30% dearer for the equivalent peak go card trip. Off peak go card fares are only 55% the cost of paper single tickets.  There is a time limit on paper single tickets.  For passengers travelling through 10 zones or less this time period is 2 hours from time of purchase,  travelling 11 zones or more 3 hours 30 minutes ( http://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/other-tickets/paper-tickets ).  The fact there are time limits on the paper tickets is not well understood by many users and could lead to a fare evasion offence in ignorance.

Off peak discounts (presently 20%) are only available to go card users. A small improvement is that off peak touch on time is now 8.30am from today (was 9am).

Go card users can transfer up three times within one hour for each transfer, this can make travel even more affordable. Go card users can take short journeys early in the week to offset other high cost journeys.

The online facilities for management of a go card - e.g. auto top up, transaction history is good.  Users should be encouraged to register go cards, by doing that should the card be lost any funds on the go card can be recovered.

We have compiled some tips for go card users.  See  the 'Smart GO CARD User Guide' --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5149.0

Official go card information at TransLink -->  http://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/go-card

Best wishes
Robert

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Sent to all outlets:

3rd January 2014

TransLink's 2014 Fares - The Awful Facts



http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/translinks-2014-fares-awful-facts.html

[ozbob]

Discussion on the fare increases today and best options from here on 612 ABC Brisbane with Host Rob Blackmore this morning.

Thanks for the opportunity!

The breakfast show this morning is also going into Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.  Hopefully more people in these regions will take up the go card from here, which is a much more affordable option than stick with paper single  tickets ...

[Stillwater]

Good interview this morning  before the 6.30am news on ABC Radio (across SEQ) between Robert Dow of RailBOT and Rob Blackmore, normally the ABC Sunshine Coast breakfast announcer, re the 7.5 per cent fare hike.  Robert made the point that people should avoid buying paper tickets, in favour of go-card, and predicted that the government would unveil a new fare structure at the time of the next election.

[ozbob]

612 ABC Brisbane Breakfast

Fares going up - Robert Dow

--> here!

[BrizCommuter]

Observed quite a few others doing the 1 stop rort at lunch today.

[BrizCommuter]

Doing the go cart rort!
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/doing-go-card-rort.html
Saving this week = Overpriced woolies sausage

[ozbob]

Doing the go cart rort!
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/doing-go-card-rort.html
Saving this week = Overpriced woolies sausage

[Stillwater]

Channel 7 Sunshine Coast news item about fare increases.  Interviews with lots of tourists outraged at the paper ticket prices.  One guy said it cost him $22 return to go Noosa to Maroochydore and back.  Most of the interstate tourists using the buses made comparisons with PT fares in their home states and queried why there was not a day rover fare.   

[Derwan]

If you're on Facebook, be sure to share the photo from Brizcommuter's blog:  http://4nd.de/JXMJnd

It's had 55 shares already.  Let's make it go viral! 

[Stillwater]

With transport costs accounting for approximately 18 per cent of the average Australian household, it perhaps is not surprising that Brisbane has become the second most expensive Australian city in which to live.  So much for Mr Newman's commitment to keeping cost of living low in Queensland.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbanes-cost-of-living-among-worlds-highest-20140106-30cvb.html

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 7th January 2014

Go cards prove best value for all users of public transport

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

7th January 2014

Greetings,

The fare system in SEQ is in serious trouble.  As we expected there are numerous reports of go card users doing one stop bus trips yesterday and the like to reach the 9 journey cap.  Clearly the fare increase this week has pushed many to the point where they will now actively use the gaping gaps in the fare system to extract free travel.

The fare system needs urgent action to stop significant fare box leakage and frank fare evasion, which if not quickly addressed will lead to further significant fare increases.

It is time to consider these points:

1. Abolish all paper tickets within 6 months. Melbourne and Stockholm have already done so.  go card off peak fares are 55% of the equivalent paper single ticket!

2. New fare system is needed. Adjust pricing increments to lower or remove flagfall.  Fix zone anomalies.

3. Remove all gimmicks and replace with everyday low fares.

4. Increase the off-peak discount.

5. Reverse the Queensland Government's 1925 decision to hand public transport control to BCC.

6. Reform the bus network as was proposed by TransLink in 2013.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[BrizCommuter]

Reports of a "carousel" of commuters doing the go card rort at lunchtime between RBWH and RCH Herston in both directions today.

[ozbob]

Reports of a "carousel" of commuters doing the go card rort at lunchtime between RBWH and RCH Herston in both directions today.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

8th January 2014

Fare fail SEQ

Greetings,

More reports of go card rorting ... yes, the fare system is in meltdown ...

For your information ...

Doing the go card rort!

--> http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/doing-go-card-rort.html

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

Sent to all outlets:

7th January 2014

Greetings,

The fare system in SEQ is in serious trouble.  As we expected there are numerous reports of go card users doing one stop bus trips yesterday and the like to reach the 9 journey cap.  Clearly the fare increase this week has pushed many to the point where they will now actively use the gaping gaps in the fare system to extract free travel.

The fare system needs urgent action to stop significant fare box leakage and frank fare evasion, which if not quickly addressed will lead to further significant fare increases.

It is time to consider these points:

1. Abolish all paper tickets within 6 months. Melbourne and Stockholm have already done so.  go card off peak fares are 55% of the equivalent paper single ticket!

2. New fare system is needed. Adjust pricing increments to lower or remove flagfall.  Fix zone anomalies.

3. Remove all gimmicks and replace with everyday low fares.

4. Increase the off-peak discount.

5. Reverse the Queensland Government's 1925 decision to hand public transport control to BCC.

6. Reform the bus network as was proposed by TransLink in 2013.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[techblitz]

petition

https://www.change.org/en-AU/petitions/scott-emerson-minister-for-transport-and-main-roads-reduce-translink-fares

[ozbob]

Thanks,  it is getting serious ...