2014 fares

[ozbob]

There is a big issue looming re unemployed not getting concession PT as they do in every other state and territory of Australia, Abbott's work for the dole scheme ...   

Not sure how the unemployed will be able afford to get to the ' work for the dole locations ' ...  clearly there will have to be concession travel for this group otherwise they will not be able to get out on the network.  There is serious concern with this with QCOSS etc.

[ozbob]

There is now a tremendous amount of real anger in the electorate in SEQ now re fares.  It will be very costly come the next state election. The reality is the majority of seats are in SEQ and revenge will be exacted.  The Premier indicated it would be sorted within 6 months in January 2013,  it hasn't.  Gone for all money ...

[STB]

In regards to the next election, I think it's fairly safe to say at this stage they will easily lose 15-20 seats, however that won't be enough to unseat the LNP.  At the very least it would give us some sort of opposition and I think it's likely that Campbell Newman won't be Premier.

In terms of the fare structure etc, I guess it's a case of wait and hope I suppose.

[James]

In regards to the next election, I think it's fairly safe to say at this stage they will easily lose 15-20 seats, however that won't be enough to unseat the LNP.  At the very least it would give us some sort of opposition and I think it's likely that Campbell Newman won't be Premier.

In terms of the fare structure etc, I guess it's a case of wait and hope I suppose.

The LNP were going to lose 10 seats by default anyway. The extreme anger against the ALP has waned, the LNP could offer $10,000 to every person in the state alive today and that would still happen.

In terms of fares, the LNP is just giving us weak poison instead of cyanide. LNP will reform the fare system in due course, most likely in the lead-up to the 2015 election. That being said, due to Beattie and Bligh(t)'s absolute failure to act on CRR, driving up fares was the only way to stop trains becoming overcrowded and the SE Busway entering into total meltdown. Beattie knew there were problems in 2006, but it took until 2010 for Bligh to even start doing something about it, and construction wouldn't have started until 2013 at the earliest.

The LNP is making the best of an awful situation, a situation caused by half-baked infrastructure projects or gold-plated infrastructure projects where they were not needed. Had Beattie acted when issues started occurring with overcrowding on the network, we likely would already have CRR. Quite plausibly though, we may have been lacking projects like the Eastern Busway and only be working on triplication/quadruplication Yeerongpilly - Kuraby now, though.

[ozbob]

The 5 year fare fail was a strategy to slow the patronage growth.  The problem is it has actually reversed it, and made PT unaffordable for many.  The road congestion is terrible now, air buses and air trains running around, this will only encourage further service cuts unless corrected.  Only idiots will allow it to continue.

It is time for action!

Go card penetration and availability is terrible once you move out of inner Brisbane.  This is one of the factors why go card uptake is poor in the outer regions. TransLink need to direct bus operators to sell go cards and pull the paper.

[ozbob]

One of the reasons why things went financially awry was in order, drought, massive panic expenditure on water pipelines, water plants etc. This killed the track amplification Beerburrum to Landsborough.  The GFC was around then about as well.  The 2011 floods took everything.  No hope from there.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

10th February 2014

Re: SEQ: TransLink confirm ongoing fare failure and affordability crisis in SEQ

Greetings,

The 5 year fare fail was a strategy to slow the patronage growth clearly.  The problem is it has actually reversed it, and made PT unaffordable for many.  The road congestion is terrible now, air buses and air trains running around, this will only encourage further service cuts unless corrected.

Only fools would allow it to continue.

It is time for action!

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

4th February 2014

Re: SEQ: TransLink confirm ongoing fare failure and affordability crisis in SEQ

Greetings,

Time Premier Newman and the Government lived up to this committment in January 2013 don't you think.

" Announce new fare structure for public transport in South East Queensland. "

http://www.thepremier.qld.gov.au/plans-and-progress/plans/assets/6-month-action-plan-jan-jun-13.pdf  page 6

We are waiting Premier.  Road congestion and the flow on costs are all ready out of control.   Time to sort it!

Best wishes
Robert

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

Media release 2nd February 2014



SEQ: TransLink confirm ongoing fare failure and affordability crisis in SEQ

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 has said the latest TransLink Public Transport Performance data confirms the ongoing fare failure and affordability crisis for public transport in SEQ (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Despite a committment by Premier Newman in the January 2013 Six Month Action Plan of a new fare structure of public transport in SEQ we continue on with arguably one of the worlds most expensive and bizarre fare structures in use anywhere in the word."

"The latest Affordability KPI from the TransLink Public Transport Performance data again demonstrates an affordability crisis (1) "

"Observations by members out on the network confirm that rorting and fare evasion is widespread (2).  In many cases people are not even bothering to touch on or off."

"Rorting will continue with the go card whilst the fare structure allows it.  Time to fix it and get base fares down, correct the rorting, and drive patronage around the clock.  More of the same failure and continuing fare increases many times the CPI and inflation, much greater than wage and pension increases, is just going to worsen the already rock bottom fare affordability in SEQ."

"No doubt the January 2014 Affordability KPI will be horrendous."

References:

1. http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/open-data/2013-dec-snapshot.pdf page 14


http://backontrack.org/docs/tl/affordabilitydec13.jpg

2. Rorting vs. fare evasion  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10520.msg138421#msg138421

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

[ozbob]

This doesn't help either ..

ABC NEWS --> Queensland's average household incomes low despite resource-focused economy

A new study from the Centre for Policy Development (CPD) has revealed that average household incomes in Queensland are low by national standards.

In contrast, average incomes in Western Australia are almost 20 per cent above the national trend.

Report author Laura Eadie says that is despite both states having resource-focused economies.

She says average household incomes in Queensland are around 5 per cent lower than the rest of Australia, despite higher wages in the mining sector.

"Queensland doesn't have the higher incomes you see in Sydney and Melbourne, which have financial sector industries," she said ...

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets

20th February 2014

Fare failure SEQ

Greetings,

Despite a committment by Premier Newman in the January 2013 Six Month Action Plan of a new fare structure of public transport in SEQ we continue on with arguably one of the worlds most expensive and bizarre fare structures in use anywhere in the word."

The December 2013 Affordability KPI from the TransLink Public Transport Performance data again demonstrated an affordability crisis.

Observations by members out on the network confirm that rorting and fare evasion is widespread.  In many cases people are not even bothering to touch on or off.

Rorting will continue with the go card whilst the fare structure allows it.  Time to fix it and get base fares down, correct the rorting, and drive patronage around the clock.  More of the same failure and continuing fare increases many times the CPI and inflation, much greater than wage and pension increases, is just going to worsen the already rock bottom fare affordability in SEQ.

No doubt the January 2014 Affordability KPI will be horrendous. Will the data be released before the Redcliffe by-election?

Time Premier Newman and the Government lived up to this committment in January 2013 don't you think.

" Announce new fare structure for public transport in South East Queensland. "

http://www.thepremier.qld.gov.au/plans-and-progress/plans/assets/6-month-action-plan-jan-jun-13.pdf  page 6

We are waiting Premier.  Road congestion and the flow on costs are all ready out of control.   Time to sort it!

Best wishes
Robert

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


References:

1. http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/open-data/2013-dec-snapshot.pdf page 14

2. Rorting vs. fare evasion  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10520.msg138421#msg138421

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane Marketing reveals city's new slogan

Oh dear, PT fares getting slammed on the blog again ...   

[James]

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane Marketing reveals city's new slogan

Oh dear, PT fares getting slammed on the blog again ...   

A 1.25 hour wait to get to a major tourist attraction 7km from the CBD by bus?

Give me Brisbane any day

Re: Everything else being expensive. This is what happens when you pay people decent wages. Nobody has really clued on to that yet. The reason a lot of things in places like the USA are so cheap are due to both economy of scale factors and wages. This is the reason why Australia generally is expensive, because everybody gets paid well. By comparison, pay in America is awful - that's why people tip, because if a driver/waiter/lower class worker doesn't get a tip, it is plausible they won't get dinner.

You can not eat your cake (good wages) and have it too (cheap prices)!

[#Metro]

You can not eat your cake (good wages) and have it too (cheap prices)!

I disagree with this. Costs are high in Australia because we are paying for waste in the bus network etc. If larger buses were used, more money could be recovered from the system and thus there would be more funds to give drivers at the end of the day due to efficiencies.

Some of the best paid workers are paid because they are very productive - usually this is due to them being an operator of specialised equipment/machinery that makes it possible to pay one or a handful or workers to oversee massive production.

Cost of living in the US is also very cheap I hear.

[James]

I disagree with this. Costs are high in Australia because we are paying for waste in the bus network etc. If larger buses were used, more money could be recovered from the system and thus there would be more funds to give drivers at the end of the day due to efficiencies.

Some of the best paid workers are paid because they are very productive - usually this is due to them being an operator of specialised equipment/machinery that makes it possible to pay one or a handful or workers to oversee massive production.

Cost of living in the US is also very cheap I hear.

Lapdog, that was a general statement, not specific to the HWBN.

The price of transit even in Melbourne is quite expensive relative to other 'world cities', despite the fact they have an efficient network. The prices in Brisbane are extortion, there is no way you can say it otherwise.

Cost of living in the US is cheap because everybody gets paid poorly. Cost of living in Australia is high because everybody gets paid well.

[ozbob]

My elder daughter is presently resident in the USA.  My wife was recently visiting there for a number of months as well.

Providing you are employed life is generally good. Most basic items are a lot cheaper than here in Oz.  Even just today we were down at a local store in Goodna, a simple deodorant here around $5, USA $1 (same item essentially).

Fares on public transport are very reasonable in the main.  A lot of people who use public transport though do not have that much money so still tough.

Housing in the USA is a lot cheaper generally than Oz.  Health is the real basket case state-side though. 

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

21st February 2014

Fare failure SEQ - January 2014 data confirms the fare crisis

Greetings,

Fare affordability data for SEQ is now available for January 2014.  It is the worst it has ever been. This confirms the fare affordability crisis and it is now time to move to sort it.

http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/open-data/2014-jan-snapshot.pdf  page 14



Best wishes,

Robert

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

Sent to all outlets

20th February 2014

Fare failure SEQ

Greetings,

Despite a committment by Premier Newman in the January 2013 Six Month Action Plan of a new fare structure of public transport in SEQ we continue on with arguably one of the worlds most expensive and bizarre fare structures in use anywhere in the word."

The December 2013 Affordability KPI from the TransLink Public Transport Performance data again demonstrated an affordability crisis.

Observations by members out on the network confirm that rorting and fare evasion is widespread.  In many cases people are not even bothering to touch on or off.

Rorting will continue with the go card whilst the fare structure allows it.  Time to fix it and get base fares down, correct the rorting, and drive patronage around the clock.  More of the same failure and continuing fare increases many times the CPI and inflation, much greater than wage and pension increases, is just going to worsen the already rock bottom fare affordability in SEQ.

No doubt the January 2014 Affordability KPI will be horrendous. Will the data be released before the Redcliffe by-election?

Time Premier Newman and the Government lived up to this committment in January 2013 don't you think.

" Announce new fare structure for public transport in South East Queensland. "

http://www.thepremier.qld.gov.au/plans-and-progress/plans/assets/6-month-action-plan-jan-jun-13.pdf  page 6

We are waiting Premier.  Road congestion and the flow on costs are all ready out of control.   Time to sort it!

Best wishes
Robert

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


References:

1. http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/open-data/2013-dec-snapshot.pdf page 14

2. Rorting vs. fare evasion  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10520.msg138421#msg138421

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Wow, the free SMBI inter-island travel spike didn't take long to be extinguished ...  what an unmitigated mess they have created .. 

FARE FAIL SEQ!

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

23rd February 2014

Fare failure on the SEQ TransLink network

Greetings,

Fare affordability data for SEQ is now available for January 2014. It is the worst it has ever been. This confirms the fare affordability crisis and it is now time to move to sort it.

http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/open-data/2014-jan-snapshot.pdf page 14



Despite a committment by Premier Newman in the January 2013 Six Month Action Plan of a new fare structure of public transport in SEQ we continue on with arguably one of the worlds most expensive and bizarre fare structures in use anywhere in the word.

Observations by members out on the network confirm that rorting and fare evasion is widespread.  In many cases people are not even bothering to touch on or off.

Rorting will continue with the go card whilst the fare structure allows it.  Time to fix it and get base fares down, correct the rorting, and drive patronage around the clock.  More of the same failure and continuing fare increases many times the CPI and inflation, much greater than wage and pension increases, is just going to worsen the already rock bottom fare affordability in SEQ.

Time Premier Newman and the Government lived up to this commitment in January 2013 don't you think.

" Announce new fare structure for public transport in South East Queensland. "

http://www.thepremier.qld.gov.au/plans-and-progress/plans/assets/6-month-action-plan-jan-jun-13.pdf  page 6

We are waiting Premier.  Road congestion and the flow on costs are all ready out of control.   Time to sort it!

Best wishes
Robert

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

[BrizCommuter]

Are SE Queensland commuters being defrauded by TransLink, and even Airtrain?
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2014/02/are-commuters-being-defrauded-by.html

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

Monday tomorrow it is GO rort time how --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10444.msg136884#msg136884 ... ... http://twitpic.com/dwdl8e  #qldpol #farefailSEQ don't get angry, get even ..

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 24th February 2014 page 9

Fare evasion, rorting result of our most expensive transport

[ozbob]

Personally, I would not encourage any fare evasion.

However, using the present go card fare system to maximise savings is fair game.  There is little doubt that people maximising savings is increasing very significantly and this will help in driving an equitable, sensible fare system for all, that drives patronage and improves the fare box.  Two things not happening now.

[James]

I wouldn't support a 'fare evade' day. Any advance notice would just allow for the summoning of ticketees, so you couldn't get away with it. Also not useful for bus passengers - pointless, especially when BCC is the big one to blame for the cost explosion. And of course, it is not legal.

I think the better approach is to get a large group of people to sardine can into an air parcel route which runs down Adelaide St (for example - 116, 203, 417) or a similarly awful urban safari route (172, 378, 202 etc.) and get off at the next stop the bus makes. This would attract interest in the community (why are 100 people gathered at a stop for an air parcel bus route at 12:30pm?), notoriety and could even become some kind of tradition. That is the way to get the message out about the go rort.

For UQ students, I would think about getting everybody to sandwich on the 414 and catch it one stop during a break. Or maybe a 411/428 to the Upland Road stop 150m away. 

[dancingmongoose]

QR asked for 'wacky' suggestions on their facebook page, and a recurring suggestion was to put advertising posters on trains to lower the fare cost. This should be implemented now

[aldonius]

There is already advertising on trains.
Scope to expand (particularly, say, lower-body strip ads that don't block the windows) is certainly there.

[HappyTrainGuy]

To bad it won't reduce fares by much especially when there are bigger flaws in the network such as that stupid 9 then free.

[BrizCommuter]

There is already advertising on trains.
Scope to expand (particularly, say, lower-body strip ads that don't block the windows) is certainly there.

Whilst there are limited adverts above the windows internally on the x60 series trains - the shallow angle is not that helpful for viewing the ads (apart from anyone lying on the floor). 

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

2 March 2014

Fare evasion rising?

Greetings,

Today the Sunday Mail has this article:

Fare evasion and other anti-social behaviour on the rise on Queensland Rail trains

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/fare-evasion-and-other-antisocial-behaviour-on-the-rise-on-queensland-rail-trains/story-e6freon6-1226842493320

Failure to fix the fare system in SEQ is contributing to these issues there is no doubt.

Both in Sydney and Melbourne, fare evasion on buses is higher than the other modes. Wonder what the true situation is in south-east Queensland?

Bus review failure, fare review failure. Little wonder the public is becoming very disenchanted with the failing transport bureaucracy.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

23rd February 2014

Fare failure on the SEQ TransLink network

Greetings,

Fare affordability data for SEQ is now available for January 2014. It is the worst it has ever been. This confirms the fare affordability crisis and it is now time to move to sort it.

http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/open-data/2014-jan-snapshot.pdf page 14



Despite a committment by Premier Newman in the January 2013 Six Month Action Plan of a new fare structure of public transport in SEQ we continue on with arguably one of the worlds most expensive and bizarre fare structures in use anywhere in the word.

Observations by members out on the network confirm that rorting and fare evasion is widespread.  In many cases people are not even bothering to touch on or off.

Rorting will continue with the go card whilst the fare structure allows it.  Time to fix it and get base fares down, correct the rorting, and drive patronage around the clock.  More of the same failure and continuing fare increases many times the CPI and inflation, much greater than wage and pension increases, is just going to worsen the already rock bottom fare affordability in SEQ.

Time Premier Newman and the Government lived up to this commitment in January 2013 don't you think.

" Announce new fare structure for public transport in South East Queensland. "

http://www.thepremier.qld.gov.au/plans-and-progress/plans/assets/6-month-action-plan-jan-jun-13.pdf  page 6

We are waiting Premier.  Road congestion and the flow on costs are all ready out of control.   Time to sort it!

Best wishes
Robert

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

[Gazza]

QR asked for 'wacky' suggestions on their facebook page, and a recurring suggestion was to put advertising posters on trains to lower the fare cost. This should be implemented now

Advertising isn't that much of a contributor to the overall funding mix in most systems though....Usually only a couple of percent.

[techblitz]

Response about fares from mr scott emerson....

From the Brisbane Times  -->
No fare structure change says Transport minister

Transport Minister Scott Emerson has rejected calls by a public transport lobby group to change the Translink fare structure, saying any change would mean 'someone loses'.

Mr Emerson on Sunday announced the appointment of 10 more officers to crack down on fare evasion, with another 10 to follow - but the Rail Back on Track group said fare evasion would always be a problem while the fare structure in SE Queensland was 'skewed'.
The group suggests the base-rate for fares is too high, with single-zone and two-zone trips effectively subsidising longer journeys.

However, Mr Emerson said he had no intention of changing that structure.

"The reality is we have been doing all we can to ensure affordability. As you know we halved what Labor was planning to do in terms of their fare increases as we promised. 

"I give this pledge - we won't be going back to those 15% fare increases we saw every year under Labor, and we are trying to more but the reality is we have to be able to find the savings to do that, to keep to our election promise of halving what Labor was planning to do and also putting in our very successful 'free trips after nine journeys'.

"We've had to find 200 million dollars in savings. Now, we want to do more but we have to find those savings, do the right thing by the budget , before we can do more."

Critics have argued it's not the overall cost of fares that creates problems for Translink, but the high 'flag fall' fares for many commuters - however Mr Emerson does not concur.

"Well look the reality is if you start moving sectors around there's always going to be winners and losers.

"What we have been trying to do is make the system more affordable than it would have been under Labor.

"For someone travelling from the Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast at the moment, if Labor was in power that person would be paying $1000 more per year if they are a Monday to Friday commuter."

Mr Emerson also pointed to what he called a '10 year high' in reliability in rail services and an increase in the number of bus services by 2,000 - but indicated that could only continue if costs were kept down, which is behind his focus on fare evasion.

"We had 20,000 people fined last year for fare evasion, we are doubling the number of senior network officers targeting people for fare evasion and other anti-social behaviour," Mr Emerson said.

" Particularly in fare-evasion, the reality is they are ripping off their fellow fare-paying travelers.

"This money goes back into our system to keep the pressures down in terms of costs, to expand the number of services.

"When someone doesn't pay their fare, they are really ripping off the system, and fellow fare-paying public transport users."

The minister said in Queensland, the issue was a bigger problem for rail than for buses, because bus passengers who don't swipe go-cards are more obvious - but said the State Government was looking to make it harder for train users to skip the system.

"We have senior network officers on both our trains and buses. Obviously, trains are a little bit easier to evade a fare but that's why we have those particularly targeted with our senior network officers who are patrolling that and we are doubling the number of those officers.

"We are reducing the number of those stations that have no gates there; we are increasingly putting gates into all the stations to make sure that people don't evade fares.

"The reality is the vast majority of people do the right thing because they understand that paying for a fare puts money back into the system, helps us to provide the services, and keep the cost pressures down on our public transport system.

"But, unfortunately, there were more than 20,000 fines issued last year for fare evasion. That was up but I think it was up because we have been targeting it with those senior network officers out there patrolling the public transport system."

Asked if there was a need for more punitive fines, Mr Emerson indicated he'd rather see the use of more officers to enforce existing fines.

"We've been putting more officers out there, with blitzes across our public transport system, and that seems to be working.

"The other thing that it does seem to be doing also, is driving down anti-social behaviour.

"For instance, on the Gold Coast, we have seen a halving of assaults on our public transport system from 2012 to 2013 since we started doing those blitzes.

"20,000 fines is not a small number of fines. It is up from last time but that's because we have been focusing on that, making sure that the message is getting out there that 'you won't get away with it', that we will find you and we will fine you."

Admin: Fixed link

[ozbob]

LOL, haven't a clue really.  This will be very interesting how this plays out now politically.

Go the rort!

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

3 March 2014

Minister confirms Premiers commitment re fares rubbish

Greetings,

Interesting article in Brisbanetimes today: 

No fare structure change says Transport minister

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/no-fare-structure-change-says-transport-minister-20140302-33tlz.html

So here we have a Minister indicating that the Premier's commitment in January 2013 was a worthless one.  Why would people continue to support a  Government that treats the public transport users of south-east Queensland with contempt?

By not sorting the failed fare structure for SEQ they are actually costing Queensland a lot more.  Falling patronage and worsening road congestion, with all the additional impacts such as increased health sector costs mean the downward spiral continues.

Public transport users are increasingly becoming aware of just how easy it is to rort the present fare system.   Rorting is legal, such as taking lunch time trips to offset fares later in the week. See -->  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10554.msg139246#msg139246

Maybe it is time for a new cabinet!  Maybe it is time for a new Government!!

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

2 March 2014

Fare evasion rising?

Greetings,

Today the Sunday Mail has this article:

Fare evasion and other anti-social behaviour on the rise on Queensland Rail trains

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/fare-evasion-and-other-antisocial-behaviour-on-the-rise-on-queensland-rail-trains/story-e6freon6-1226842493320

Failure to fix the fare system in SEQ is contributing to these issues there is no doubt.

Both in Sydney and Melbourne, fare evasion on buses is higher than the other modes. Wonder what the true situation is in south-east Queensland?

Bus review failure, fare review failure. Little wonder the public is becoming very disenchanted with the failing transport bureaucracy.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

23rd February 2014

Fare failure on the SEQ TransLink network

Greetings,

Fare affordability data for SEQ is now available for January 2014. It is the worst it has ever been. This confirms the fare affordability crisis and it is now time to move to sort it.

http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/open-data/2014-jan-snapshot.pdf page 14



Despite a committment by Premier Newman in the January 2013 Six Month Action Plan of a new fare structure of public transport in SEQ we continue on with arguably one of the worlds most expensive and bizarre fare structures in use anywhere in the word.

Observations by members out on the network confirm that rorting and fare evasion is widespread.  In many cases people are not even bothering to touch on or off.

Rorting will continue with the go card whilst the fare structure allows it.  Time to fix it and get base fares down, correct the rorting, and drive patronage around the clock.  More of the same failure and continuing fare increases many times the CPI and inflation, much greater than wage and pension increases, is just going to worsen the already rock bottom fare affordability in SEQ.

Time Premier Newman and the Government lived up to this commitment in January 2013 don't you think.

" Announce new fare structure for public transport in South East Queensland. "

http://www.thepremier.qld.gov.au/plans-and-progress/plans/assets/6-month-action-plan-jan-jun-13.pdf  page 6

We are waiting Premier.  Road congestion and the flow on costs are all ready out of control.   Time to sort it!

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 4m

http://twitpic.com/dwdl8e  - Monday it is GO rort time how --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10444.msg136884#msg136884 ... #qldpol

[techblitz]

seems mr emerson and mr newman are not phased by rorters, and more worried about evaders.

example.....a rorter or normal passenger tags on then off @ lunch in the cbd for a fare of 4-5 dollars (translink makes money)  <<<< mr emerson unphased
example.....an evader jumps on the train without tagging on <<<<< (translink doesnt make money)  <<<< this gets mr emerson's attention.

He also doesn't really care for the reality that people are hopping on the train and risking fines because they cant afford it....however he is adknowledging that trains are where the most money is being lost.. That's the revenue stream he is most focused on securing via SN/TO's. In terms of buses...its the student situation which he is focusing on...

[ozbob]

I am not entirely convinced that fare evasion on buses is as low as they think.  The figures from both Melbourne and Sydney are interesting.

Rorting is costing a motza and will only increase.  I have little doubt that we will see a new fare structure.  Just polyticks being played at present ...

I know from private discussions there is acute concern with the failing fare structure, they just lack the guts to say so publicly.

[ozbob]

example.....a rorter or normal passenger tags on then off @ lunch in the cbd for a fare of 4-5 dollars (translink makes money)  <<<< mr emerson unphased
example.....an evader jumps on the train without tagging on <<<<< (translink doesnt make money)  <<<< this gets mr emerson's attention.

A lunch time one stopper costs $2.83.

Rorting is really allowing those with the greatest journey costs to save a mint, further worsening the fare box, which further skews the fare box recovery.

Fare evasion is widespread on the network, good that moves are being made to tighten up, but anyone who travels out of peak knows just how wide spread it is.

[ozbob]

Been booked,  News Talk 4BC 1116 Mornings with Patrick Condren  for 8.45am this morning ...

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

No fare structure change says Transport minister http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/no-fare-structure-change-says-transport-minister-20140302-33tlz.html ... v @brisbanetimes whoa ... savage blog comments #farefailSEQ #qldpol

[#Metro]

What a load of nonsense! Fare evasion on Brisbane Transport buses is massive, the drivers often just wave pax through, I have seen it countless times. Are their data collection techniques capturing this or is this a case of 'not recorded, didn't happen'.

Melbourne also has cards and no paper ticket, so the comment of Brisbane being different because we 'have a go card' doesn't make sense. In fact there is hard experimental evidence from the real world which conclusively shows that 2/3rds of the time (i.e. 60%) if you have a go card with zero balance and board a Brisbane Transport bus, you are likely to be waved through.

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2013/03/22/study-looks-discrimination-buses

The Brisbane City Council said that drivers shouldn't be letting adults on without a valid travel card.

Two thirds of all testers were given free rides.

[ozbob]

Been booked,  News Talk 4BC 1116 Mornings with Patrick Condren  for 8.45am this morning ...

Followed the Transport Minister.  Pointed out no one was really suggesting sector or zone changes.  Some confusion with that in the Brisbanetimes article, but pointed out there is room to move with the fares as it is costly not too essentially.

Thanks News Talk 4BC 1116 and Patrick for the opportunity! 

================

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

@PatrickCondren @NewsTalk4BC Thanks! Fares can be improved with considerable economic gain. Hopefully the looming election might focus? :-)