2014 fares

[#Metro]

. Why is it that cities like Perth can have fares approximately 40% cheaper than Brisbane?

Because Perth only pays for 1 train staff, whereas we pay for 2. Yes there are legacy issues on the BNE rail network, but that doesn't change the way the numbers crunch. ATP/DOO may or may not reduce these costs but it would permit increased safety and incrementally cheaper services.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

What a 5% actually means for SEQ fares .. > http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/2014-fare-reduction-fares-still-too-high.html ... #qldpol #auspol #springst #nswpol #wapol #sapol

[ozbob]

BrizCommuter special : Fare comparison post 5% fare cut
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/2014-fare-reduction-fares-still-too-high.html
You can guess the result!

Thanks Briz!  Very useful blog post, shared widely.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

29th October 2014

For your information:

Have a nice day, reflect on what might be rather than what has been?

" It's time that both side of Queensland politics wake up to affordable and sustainable transport!  "

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

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/2014-fare-reduction-fares-still-too-high.html

2014 fare reduction - fares still too high?

From Monday 3rd November 2014, public transport fares in SE Queensland will be reduced by 5% due to the "carbon tax rebate" charade. Does this make Brisbane's expensive public transport system any more affordable? BrizCommuter takes a look at Brisbane's new reduced fares vs selected other cities.

Costs are for the cheapest available, adult single 5km train or bus fare from the CBD to inner-suburbs during the peak period. Exchange rates are as on 28/10/2014.

Stockholm - $5.53
Oslo - $5.13
London - $5.11 Tube / $4.01 National Rail / $2.65 Bus or Tram
Brisbane - $3.93
Berlin - $3.73
Melbourne - $3.58
Sydney - $3.50 Bus / $3.30 Train
Adelaide - $3.39
Vienna - $3.16
New York - $3.11
Seattle - $2.83
Townsville - $2.80 (Bus)
Vancouver - $2.78
Paris - $2.44
Perth - $2.18
Los Angeles - $1.98
Tokyo - $1.73 (Metro)
Hong Kong - $0.90 (MTR)
Singapore - $0.77 (MRT)

As expected, despite the 5% fare reduction, Brisbane still has the world's highest public transport fares outside of Northern Europe. Brisbane still has the most expensive public transport system in Australia, and is still far more expensive than all of the world's most liveable cities.

Given how expensive Brisbane's fares have been for the past few years, a measly 5% fare cut has made no dent into reducing the un-affordability of Brisbane's public transport system. During the LNPs reign, and taking into account the 5% fare decrease, public transport fares have still increased by 10%. This is above CPI, and most workers pay increases (except for politicians of course). Campbell Newman's bid to decrease the cost of living has seriously failed when it comes to public transport (and we won't even mention electricity cost increases)! During the LNPs tenure, there also been few improvements to public transport services aside from the sector 2 train timetables which were planned before the LNP came to power anyway). We have also seen the bus network redesign shambles, which resulted in cuts rather than TransLink's planned improvements, and an inefficient bus network. No wonder Brisbane's public transport users have continued to run screaming back to their cars.

It is clear that rather than a pathetic 5% fare cut in the lead to an election, Brisbane needs a major fare system revamp. Why is it that cities like Perth can have fares approximately 40% cheaper than Brisbane? Why is it that cities such as London can have sensible daily and zone based fare capping, whilst Brisbane has the rortable 9 then free weekly cap? Why do cities with a very high cost of living such as Hong Kong, Singapore, New York, and Tokyo have fares a fraction of those in Brisbane?

It's time that both side of Queensland politics wake up to affordable and sustainable transport!

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

. #farefailSEQ > http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10048.msg148167#msg148167 ... #qldpol #auspol #nswpol #springst #wapol #sapol #taspol #teamfarefail

[ozbob]

Yesterdays Brisbane mX (28th Oct 2014 page 2) has the latest snap shot figures.

Despite the 5% fare cut hype and spin, affordability continues slide to worst levels ever.

Paper states affordability for ferries 41, trains 41, bus 51.  Take a bow #farefailSEQ, worst levels ever.

I suppose the September snap shot figures will be released later today ...

slow hand claps ...

[dancingmongoose]

slow hand claps ...

[ozbob]

       

[dancingmongoose]

Oh my that really is something special

[ozbob]

Oh my that really is something special

I will try ....

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

Re: I don't want to transfer = I want high, cost explosive and unaffordable fares

Greetings,

The ' snap shot data ' has finally been released ...  >  http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/open-data/2014-sept-snapshot.pdf

Dance, you fools, dance ...

Best wishes

Robert the Bruce!

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

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

30th October 2014

Worst fare ' affordability ' ever for SEQ!

Greetings,

Page 14 ... worst ' affordability ' ever!

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



It is time for proper fare and network reform.

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Woeful outcome of a failed fare policy.

Government just doesn't seem to care really.  The Opposition also seems reluctant to put forward proper reform.

May as well just play songs in the fare policy department ...



Just go for the rort folks ...

[ozbob]

Media release 31st October 2014



SEQ: Fare unaffordability crisis continues

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 TransLink performance snap shot data for September 2014 has again confirmed that fare 'affordability' remains at crisis levels. Worst ' affordability ' ever recorded.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Fares for public transport in SEQ have gone up in real terms (compound) around 83% for go card and 114% for paper single tickets during the period 2010-2014 (1).

"CPI for the period 2010-2014 has gone up around 9.5% (2).  The sheer magnitude of the fare increases has stagnated patronage on public transport in SEQ.  Fare box revenue is also on the slide.  To continue on this failed fare path is not in the interests of anyone."

"It is then no surprise then that affordability is again the stand out failure for the TransLink Customer Satisfaction KPIs for September 2014 (3). Worst unaffordability ever recorded for rail and ferry! Bus ' affordability' remains in the basement of despair once again!"

"It is a great disappointment to our members, and to many informed public transport users that rather than take the big steps to sort out the failed fare system and the network once and for all, in the shadows of the election a charade poll was put to the public - suggesting that a windfall gain from the cancelled carbon tax can be used to fund cut in fares of 5%."

"Fares on qconnect and TransLinkQLD (Cairns) urban buses are around half to a third the cost of fares in SEQ.  Service improvements would be far more important for these jurisdictions, but they were simply done over by the numbers in SEQ on the poll."

"A new balanced fare system needs to be put in place immediately for SEQ, rather than just a notional cut.  A fare system that drives patronage around the clock, is affordable and fair to all demographics.  The present free after nine paid journeys is easily rorted and is adding to further cost pressures for high base fares. This failed fare paradigm was introduced by the former State Government as free after 10 paid journeys in a week. The Newman Government simply carried on the basic flawed paradigm by changing it 9 paid journeys in a week as the threshold. The end result has been worsening patronage, a failed fare box and  worsening affordability overall."

"The nine and free fare paradigm is leading to massive fare box leakage and is NOT making fares affordable at all, the TransLink Affordability KPI attests to that.  It is just a massive rort and a drain on the fare box! (4)"

"There are very big cost savings to be made to the economy by getting people back on public transport with a sound fare system and a truly connected network.  Fares in SEQ are amongst the worlds most expensive. A token fare cut is going to do very little without real reform (5).  Time to act decisively!"

Contact:

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

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10048.msg135186#msg135186

2. http://www.oesr.qld.gov.au/products/tables/cpi-all-groups-bris-wt-avg-eight-qtr/index.php

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

Affordability KPI September 2014



4. 16 Jun 2014: SEQ: Flawed cost estimates for the nine and free go card rort?
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10765.0

5. How much is 5%, well not much really .. also  the scheduled fare increase of 2.5% from January 2015 will not happen.

Some examples:

Zone 12 eg. Helensvale
Go peak $10.87  off 9.06
- 5%      $ 10.32  off $8.60

Paper $15.80
-5%   $15.01

Zone 15 eg. Robina Eudlo
Go peak $13.78  off  $11.03
-5%       $13.09  off  $10.48

Paper $20
-5%   $19

Zone 16 eg. Varsity Lakes, Palmwoods
Go peak $14.85  off  $11.88
-5%       $14.11  off  $11.29

Paper $21.60
-5%   $20.52

Zone 1
Go peak $3.53  off  $2.83
-5%       $3.35  off  $2.69

Paper $5.20
-5%   $4.94

Zone 2
Go peak $4.14  off  $3.32
-5%       $3.93  off  $3.15

Paper $6.10
-5%   $5.80

[riccardo]

I so much disagree with this its not funny. Fares need to go up not down. How do you expect governments to invest in PT with such poor cost recovery.

[riccardo]

Have you thought just how much it cost to run a train from Central to Varsity Lakes?

[dancingmongoose]

Fares need to go up not down

Not sure if serious...

[ozbob]

I so much disagree with this its not funny. Fares need to go up not down. How do you expect governments to invest in PT with such poor cost recovery.

Exactly, poor cost recovery, SEQ is a shocker.

I don't think you understand our arguments.  The present fare system has high cost (very expensive) base fares to prop up a flawed fare structure (free after 9).  By recasting the fare system with lower base fares but not rortable, the fare box will actually be higher.  This is to be done in conjunction with network reform which will lead to a lot more passengers, and a better fare box recovery.  This in turn will provide more money for services.  The TransLink bus review (2013) would have around 20 million more passenger trips than present.  It would have reversed the slide.

The evidence is very clear riccardo.  Fares and network reform have been going backwards for some time.

Patronage is going backwards because of the fare and network failures.  It must be fixed.  The big risk is they will now starting cutting more services ..

Other jurisdictions have much lower base fare costs and can operate a much better system with higher fare-box recovery and service frequencies.

Not rocket science.

[ozbob]

Have a read --> http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/2014-fare-reduction-fares-still-too-high.html

[ozbob]

Ok riccardo, what is your solution?

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

2nd November 2014

Re: SEQ: Fare unaffordability crisis continues

Greetings,

Monday 3rd November a 5% fare cut on public transport for Queensland ( http://translink.com.au/news-and-updates/have-your-say-results ).  A minor welcome relief but sadly we see no signs of proper fare system and network reform, particularly for SEQ.

Interesting that fares for  qconnect and TransLink Cairns (urban bus - regional Queensland) are around half to a third of what fares are in SEQ ( http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/sitecore/content/TMRInternet/Travel-and-transport1/qconnect/Urban-bus-services.aspx ).  I think regional Queensland would actually prefer more services, their fares are already reasonably affordable.  Not the case in SEQ is it?

Will the public swallow the 5% fare cut gimmick as the way forward?  I think not.  I feel very embarrassed for the hard working staff at TransLink, forced to peddle the stupid politicisation process of public transport as good policy.



Good policy means having the political courage to take the big steps towards proper fare and network reform.

We can only hope that the looming election for Queensland might lead to some proper reform processes being implemented.  More of the same will just lead to more failure.

Enjoy your fare cuts!

Best wishes
Robert

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

Media release 31st October 2014



SEQ: Fare unaffordability crisis continues

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 TransLink performance snap shot data for September 2014 has again confirmed that fare 'affordability' remains at crisis levels. Worst ' affordability ' ever recorded.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Fares for public transport in SEQ have gone up in real terms (compound) around 83% for go card and 114% for paper single tickets during the period 2010-2014 (1).

"CPI for the period 2010-2014 has gone up around 9.5% (2).  The sheer magnitude of the fare increases has stagnated patronage on public transport in SEQ.  Fare box revenue is also on the slide.  To continue on this failed fare path is not in the interests of anyone."

"It is then no surprise then that affordability is again the stand out failure for the TransLink Customer Satisfaction KPIs for September 2014 (3). Worst unaffordability ever recorded for rail and ferry! Bus ' affordability' remains in the basement of despair once again!"

"It is a great disappointment to our members, and to many informed public transport users that rather than take the big steps to sort out the failed fare system and the network once and for all, in the shadows of the election a charade poll was put to the public - suggesting that a windfall gain from the cancelled carbon tax can be used to fund cut in fares of 5%."

"Fares on qconnect and TransLinkQLD (Cairns) urban buses are around half to a third the cost of fares in SEQ.  Service improvements would be far more important for these jurisdictions, but they were simply done over by the numbers in SEQ on the poll."

"A new balanced fare system needs to be put in place immediately for SEQ, rather than just a notional cut.  A fare system that drives patronage around the clock, is affordable and fair to all demographics.  The present free after nine paid journeys is easily rorted and is adding to further cost pressures for high base fares. This failed fare paradigm was introduced by the former State Government as free after 10 paid journeys in a week. The Newman Government simply carried on the basic flawed paradigm by changing it 9 paid journeys in a week as the threshold. The end result has been worsening patronage, a failed fare box and  worsening affordability overall."

"The nine and free fare paradigm is leading to massive fare box leakage and is NOT making fares affordable at all, the TransLink Affordability KPI attests to that.  It is just a massive rort and a drain on the fare box! (4)"

"There are very big cost savings to be made to the economy by getting people back on public transport with a sound fare system and a truly connected network.  Fares in SEQ are amongst the worlds most expensive. A token fare cut is going to do very little without real reform (5).  Time to act decisively!"

Contact:

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

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10048.msg135186#msg135186

2. http://www.oesr.qld.gov.au/products/tables/cpi-all-groups-bris-wt-avg-eight-qtr/index.php

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

Affordability KPI September 2014



4. 16 Jun 2014: SEQ: Flawed cost estimates for the nine and free go card rort?
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10765.0

5. How much is 5%, well not much really .. also  the scheduled fare increase of 2.5% from January 2015 will not happen.

Some examples:

Zone 12 eg. Helensvale
Go peak $10.87  off 9.06
- 5%      $ 10.32  off $8.60

Paper $15.80
-5%   $15.01

Zone 15 eg. Robina Eudlo
Go peak $13.78  off  $11.03
-5%       $13.09  off  $10.48

Paper $20
-5%   $19

Zone 16 eg. Varsity Lakes, Palmwoods
Go peak $14.85  off  $11.88
-5%       $14.11  off  $11.29

Paper $21.60
-5%   $20.52

Zone 1
Go peak $3.53  off  $2.83
-5%       $3.35  off  $2.69

Paper $5.20
-5%   $4.94

Zone 2
Go peak $4.14  off  $3.32
-5%       $3.93  off  $3.15

Paper $6.10
-5%   $5.80

[kazzac]

Hooray!now it will cost me less than $4 for my average 2 zone peak fare,on the rare occasion that I use PT.i agree though still too expensive , something needs to be done, and have another bus review ,with more services for Bulimba,Centenary suburbs and for all those other PT blackholes

[ozbob]

Hooray!now it will cost me less than $4 for my average 2 zone peak fare,on the rare occasion that I use PT.i agree though still too expensive , something needs to be done, and have another bus review ,with more services for Bulimba,Centenary suburbs and for all those other PT blackholes

Spot on! 

[#Metro]

Hooray!now it will cost me less than $4 for my average 2 zone peak fare,on the rare occasion that I use PT.i agree though still too expensive , something needs to be done, and have another bus review ,with more services for Bulimba,Centenary suburbs and for all those other PT blackholes

Read... and WEEP!!

Blast from the past, 2010...

Cr Simmonds said Bulimba had three CityCat stops and was well serviced by bus routes, including the full-time routes 230, 232 and 235, and peak period "rocket" buses, 231 and 236

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/calls-for-bulimba-glider-rejected-20120201-1qtbt.html#ixzz3HrAG99pG

Lots of numbers a good service does not make.

[riccardo]

Ok riccardo, what is your solution?

I've been posting this on SSC and I would be interested in Surfrails view from a GC perspective particularly

1. Low flagfall. People making short journeys should not be penalised. There is some fixed capacity cost that needs to be borne, but not much. A 50c minimum charge should be plenty.

2. High per km rate, charged by GPS calc as the crow flies. Pax should not be penalised for poor route eg legacy c19th corridors, or for lack of direct route. Travel time is punishment enough! This used to be a technical challenge but GPS makes it quick to do infinite number of origin destination options, and even quote the cost to pax before boarding.

The km rate should be comparable, but cheaper, than ATO allowable per km motor vehicle deductable eg $1 per km. also should reflect eg IPART or PC or BTRE estimates of avoided pollution and congestion, ie some, but not much, implicit subsidy.

Potentially in the 50 cents per km range.

3. Loyalty, not periodicity. We should not be giving out 'weekly' or such arrangements, but reflect say 10-15% discount for loyalty. Paid like airlines, with free rides or other non cash benefits.

4. Peakedness. We should not be afraid of discounting off peak but penalising peak travel. Peak capacity is a huge extra burden on the system.

5. Pricing comfort and quality. Our railways in particular have got out of hand with their desire to standardise rollng stock, so the pax travelling to Park Rd from Roma St gets the same vehicle that takes them to Varsity Lakes. This doesn't happen elsewhere nor should it. If nothing else, the fare should be higher.

Gc pax are basically carried in glorified suburban stock, at low speeds for much of the journey, and charged too little. The service needs to be much faster, more comfortable byt more expensive,

It ties in with the lack of urban planning in Australia, so that lazy and corrupt governments found it easier to accommodate urban sprawl with unfit for purpose suburban commuter rail running on what most countries would describe as intercity or regional routes.

6. Not only does this system in use not provide appropriate 'feedback' through price on the appropriate place to live, it does not provide appropriate feedback to policy makers on mode and corridor selection. I think SEQ got a lot right with buses and ferries, but a lot wrong with trains.

The whole BaT argument is Batshyte. If capacity has become that bad, now would be the time to start the driverless innercity metro, lower operational cost even if high capital cost, and stop piling so many buses into the city centre.

A basic rubber tyre and steel rail metro eg Montreal would do both jobs. Yes, people would have to change. But such a system can be built with north of 20, 000 pax per hour per direction from the outset, serving Bris fro a very long time.

7. Current pricing basically ignores commuter price inelasticity. The middle class working population, especially CBD based may be loud and politically influential, but they are in a better position to pay closer to the true cost of their transport than anyone will admit. And true benefits to this group will come from government having some financial capacity to assist with capital projects, because recurrent is not bleeding them dry each year.

8. We should not be using the transport system to achieve welfare or redistributive outcomes, nor to give the Education department a cheap 'out' from having to make proper planning decisions for schools.

9. A system designed and operated my way would have a lot more emphasis on buses, but also a driverless metro network say between Mt Gravatt and Toowong via the city, and the former QR redesigned as faster, more comfortable but less frequent and more expensive. A solid base for an eventually intercity network to the NSW border and beyond, to Toowoomba and to the Sunshine Coast beachside.

10. A lot of whinging about PT not getting much government investment. I see it the other way. Using 1975 as a base year, the system was basically at 'write off' or 'scrap' in that year. Buses suitable for a large country town, rail not really useful at all.

Since then billions has been spent in modern terms, both capex and opex, but has real value been achieved?

I maintain several key forks in roads missed - failure to to convert rail to SG, i love the 1067mm but its time has passed. A line like Ferny Grove has been rebuilt many times over, my grandfathers axe with five new handles and four new heads, but we are still left with a line that is slow, unnecessarily curved, requires two man crews and cannot carry over 1 thousand people per train. The GC line should defintely be using double deckers, no talk of bombay express if the train seated 50 % more people for example.

The money that has been thrown at Northgate to Nambour would definitely have paid for a new, direct SG route via Maroochydore and the Bruce Hwy corridor if that had been the goal.

[ozbob]

Thanks, good comments! 

Similar to what we have been suggesting for a while now ..

Until the politicisation of public transport is gotten over (very difficult with our political systems) real sustainable integrated progress is difficult.

There have been some successes eg. integrated ticketing, but the real leadership and courage is MIA.

e.g. the 5% fare cuts, knee jerk political response, ignores the systemic issues.

[#Metro]

Should transit agencies "retrench" to become "profitable"?
http://www.humantransit.org/2011/09/should-transit-agencies-retrench-to-become-profitable.html

[SurfRail]

Agree with much of Lord Riccardo's views, except I think the per km rate would need to be lower to be worn in an SEQ context due to the innate distances involved.  The greatest opportunity for cost recovery is going to come from attracting people to the system to travel short distances but what a "short" distance actually is can vary from place to place due to crap planning (eg it will differ between a trip from West End Ferry to Mollison St and a trip from Upper Coomera to Helensvale).

I've previously thought about a $1.00 flagfall with $0.20 per km increments with $0.15 for off-peak.  Put special validating machines on the concourse at inner city stations if you start on the GC in the morning and end up at Nambour by lunch so you get charged off-peak for the relevant portion of the journey. 

I also think that due to the forks in the road we have taken we have to make what we have work as best as we can - CAPEX is too expensive these days to simply start again, so we need to optimise things (driver-only operation, plan for longer trains on the longer routes, look at ways of incorporating redevelopment / airspace opportunities with grade-separation projects like around Mitchelton or Coorparoo).  Avoid spending money on bad alignments, so for instance I would never suggest adding track amplification to the inner Cleveland line to allow better express running.  Implement obvious deviations like killing off Trinder Park (and Gaythorne as part of fixing Mitchelton).  Build Trouts Rd as a primarily surface level route with limited stations to make travel time much more attractive from north of Strathpine than locking in the crap route to Northgate.

Comments about metro-ising things like the SE busway are what a number of us have been suggesting for some time.  I predict the only new busway which is going to be built anywhere near the existing system is going to be an extension to Springwood - the Old Cleveland Rd and Gympie Rd corridors will be bus lanes if anything.  Cost just doesn't stack up any more.

It's really alarming to see TransLink so divided against itself.  Best practice planning principles for the Gold Coast (obviously running buses only until 3pm in places is not by choice but due to political issues in not delivering the marginal funding needed to create a proper network effect, but the rest about feeding buses into trains and trams is all good).  Worst practice principles for Brisbane (bus from everywhere to the city, more than 200m walking distance to such a bus route is considered "bad".)

[SurfRail]

There is probably another thread which may be more relevant, but here is a KMZ showing fare zones on the Gold Coast which I have put together from timetables, from the fare zone indicators for individual stops near the boundaries on the TransLink website and from plotting specific journeys near the fare boundaries to test certain assunmptions.  (Errors and omissions may be present.)

Covers the Surfside network from its northernmost point (Beenleigh station) to the NSW border.  Over the border I don't even want to think about tackling TBH, as the fare zones are much more granular, however there is already a rough guide available as part of the NSW network map:  http://www.surfside.com.au/documents/TAG084_NSW_NETWORK_2012_A4R.pdf

The G: is located entirely within zones 13-14.  Both ends of the system are in overlap "precincts" which are only relevant when you transfer to some bus routes (depending on which way they go from the interchange and therefore whether they are headed "north" from GCUH or "south" from Broadbeach).

[Arnz]

To simply put it, the longer distance fares seem to be just right, but the short distance trips (regardless if its 1 zone in Brisbane, 1 zone in Ipswich or 1-3 zones in the GC or SC main centres) are way too expensive.  The flagfall and zone difference between zones could be reduced to 50 cents per zone from zones 1-8, then $1.00 (or more) per zone from zone 9 onwards. 

Another question is where do we start the adult base fare (50% off for concessions, etc), at $2.50 for 1 zone, then $3.00 for 2 zones, etc?

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

28th July 2014

Re: SEQ: Fare affordability crisis needs action today

Good Morning!

And indeed it is.  Has the realisation that the fare fail in south-east Queensland can actually be turned around?  We live in hope ..

Courier Mail -->  Fares could be cut as Newman government vows to pass on savings from axing of carbon tax

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/fares-could-be-cut-as-newman-government-vows-to-pass-on-savings-from-axing-of-carbon-tax/story-fnihsrf2-1227003489788

Rather than just cut fares, fix up the fare system so that rorting is minimised, and fares are equitable for all demographics.

Interim fix  until next generation ticketing sorted:

Because the go card system has limitations.  These are our recommended immediate measures.

1. Reset base fares on go card.  Zone one fare $2.50, with 40 cent increments to zone 10, then 80 cent increments to zone 23.

2. Increase off peak discount to 30%.

3. Remove the free travel after 9 paid journeys in a week. This is nothing but a rort and is a cause of significant fare box leakage.  Replace with 50% fares after 9 paid journeys in a week.  This will greatly reduce the rorting, and in any case still return a fare box.

4. Allow children to travel free on weekends and public holidays with a fare paying adult.

5. Concession card holders fares remain 50% of adult fares.

Don't forget to touch off!

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

20th July 2014

Re: SEQ: Fare affordability crisis needs action today

Greetings,

Stafford by-election confirms what we suggested.  A failure to sort out the obvious failings with the public transport will hit hard.

The failed fare system needs sorting now.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

19th July 2014

SEQ: Fare affordability crisis needs action today

Greetings,

For those unable to grasp the real issues here is a quick synopsis of the problem.

The free after x journeys in a week results in fare box leakage, which in turn means higher base fare costs and less money overall for the farebox.  It dissuades discretionary trips on public transport because the fares are too expensive for many.  Others simply rort the system and do very well, at the cost of the community at large.

TransLink's data confirms that fare unaffordability has never been worse in SEQ.  Fares in SEQ are around twice to three times the cost of fares in other Australian jurisdictions.  Fares in SEQ are twice the cost of fares for qconnect (regional urban bus public transport).

Why?  The failed fare system is one factor, the other is the high cost, low efficiency network design.  TransLink did attempt to sort that in 2013 (remember the bus review?).  But weak politics and hysterical media saw that kicked into touch.  We still have the failed network. Add the failed fare system it is little wonder people cannot afford to use the public transport as they otherwise could.

Fares elsewhere.  Fare failure SEQ is confirmed.

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Twitter

Robert Dow @Robert_Dow

This is what a sensible fare system looks like > http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/tickets-fares/fares ... #qldpol #wapol // @scottemersonmp @SteveMinnikinMP

==========

Robert Dow @Robert_Dow

This is what a sensible fare system looks like - Cairns >http://www.sunbus.com.au/documents/2014Fares_Cairns.pdf ... #qldpol #fnq // @scottemersonmp @SteveMinnikinMP

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Robert Dow @Robert_Dow

This is what a sensible fare system looks like - Tasmania > http://www.metrotas.com.au/ticketsfares  #qldpol #taspol // @scottemersonmp @SteveMinnikinMP

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Robert Dow @Robert_Dow

This is what a sensible fare system looks like - Canberra myway > http://www.transport.act.gov.au/catch_a_bus/myway/fares ... #qldpol #actpol // @scottemersonmp @SteveMinnikinMP

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Robert Dow @Robert_Dow

This is what an affordable fare system looks like Melb myki > http://ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/metropolitan-myki-fares/ ... #qldpol #springst // @scottemersonmp @SteveMinnikinMP

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Robert Dow @Robert_Dow

This is what an affordable fare system looks like Sydney Opal > https://www.opal.com.au/en/fare-information/ ... #qldpol #nswpol // @scottemersonmp @SteveMinnikinMP

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Robert Dow @Robert_Dow

This is what an unaffordable & botched fare system looks like - SEQ > http://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/fares/current-fares ... #qldpol // @scottemersonmp @SteveMinnikinMP

==========

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

16th July 2014

SEQ: Flawed cost estimates for the nine and free go card rort?

Good Morning,

Yesterday in estimates, more bluff and bluster. In a statement Shadow Transport Minister Ms Trad said this:

" ... Ms Trad said that Mr Emerson refused to detail the true cost of the Newman Government's nine trips and free program.

"In 2013, the Minister was able to detail the cost of the program, but this year he refused to answer any questions or detail actual costs," Ms Trad said.

"This is because Minister Emerson knows his program is grossly underfunded and over-budget. ... "

http://annastaciapalaszczukmp.com.au/2014/07/15/emerson-bungles-budget-numbers/

There are indeed very obvious reasons why the cost was not disclosed.   The fare system is a failure and detailing the costs will just further confirm the charade it is.

This media release confirms the ' double think ' that is exercised to continue the fare con ..

Have a great day!

Best wishes

Robert

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

Media release 16 June 2014

SEQ: Flawed cost estimates for the nine and free go card rort?

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 recent data has confirmed the fare box leakage is contributing to high cost fares in south-east Queensland on the TransLink network (1). Further more, Government budgeting estimates for this leakage are flawed.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"In a recent response to a Question On Notice, the Transport Minister Mr Emerson has said

' ... Foregone revenue associated is not able to be calculated given many of these trips
would not have been taken without this beneficial policy ...' (2)."

"However in a statement dated 10th June 2014 Mr Emerson has said ' The nine and free policy is budgeted to cost $38 million over four years. ' (3)."

Our estimates of the real cost of the nine and free are:

Average 70,000 free trips per week x $7 subsidy +$2 lost fare = $630,000/ week say $50 million per year in direct costs.

"If the authorities cannot calculate foregone revenue then how can they calculate a budgeted cost?"

"The so called ' budgeting ' for the nine and free is apparently based on an assumption of lost fare revenue only. This is nonsense.  The government is saying that the typical ninth journey for a typical commuter on a Friday morning costs $7 public subsidy, the commuter pays an average fare of $2, an overall cost of $9. But they then suggest the journey home on a Friday only costs foregone fare revenue of $2?  Nonsense!"

"This fare box leakage compounds the fare system crisis in south-east Queensland."

"It is time to fix the fares!"

References:

1. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/friday-is-becoming-free-day-on-go-cards-20140613-zs7jl.html

2. http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2014/355-2014.pdf

3. http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2014/6/10/policy-delivers-seven-million-free-trips

4. Go card data confirms the fare failure in south-east Queensland http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10748.msg143062#msg143062

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

To simply put it, the longer distance fares seem to be just right, but the short distance trips (regardless if its 1 zone in Brisbane, 1 zone in Ipswich or 1-3 zones in the GC or SC main centres) are way too expensive.  The flagfall and zone difference between zones could be reduced to 50 cents per zone from zones 1-8, then $1.00 (or more) per zone from zone 9 onwards. 

Another question is where do we start the adult base fare (50% off for concessions, etc), at $2.50 for 1 zone, then $3.00 for 2 zones, etc?

Good thinking Arnz. 

One can tinker for ever.  Sadly I think the LNP have played their ' fare ' card ... the 5% cut tomorrow and no increase in January is probably it from them.

It is all pointing to an early election.  Whether  or not other parties can rise to occasion with fare commonsense ( sensible fare policy ) is a moot point. 

I am not overly hopeful.  I would like to be surprised.

[ozbob]

Media release 3rd November 2014

Queensland: 5% fare cuts - election looms

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 5% fare cuts from today are a minor welcome relief for SEQ, but sadly there are no signs of proper fare system and network reform, particularly for SEQ (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The latest TransLink public transport performance data snapshot confirms that fare ' affordability ' has never been worse in SEQ (2)."

"Simple fare cuts alone, will not fix the systemic issues with the fare system and failing network."

"Good policy means having the political courage to take the big steps towards proper fare and network reform."

"Fares on qconnect and TransLinkQLD (Cairns) urban buses are around half to a third the cost of fares in SEQ (3).  Service improvements would be far more important for these jurisdictions, but they were simply done over by the numbers in SEQ on the poll."

"We can only hope that the looming election for Queensland might lead to some proper reform processes being implemented.  More of the same will just lead to more chronic failure."

References:

1. http://translink.com.au/news-and-updates/have-your-say-results

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

3. http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/sitecore/content/TMRInternet/Travel-and-transport1/qconnect/Urban-bus-services.aspx

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Twitter

Scott Emerson ‏@scottemerson

Today passengers are paying 5% less to catch the bus, train, ferry or tram state-wide. A Qld first for PT! #qldpol

[ozbob]

^

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

. @scottemerson A welcome small relief, thanks! Proper fare & network reform is needed for SEQ however > http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10048.msg148334#msg148334 ... #qldpol

[ozbob]

Twitter

Scott Emerson ‏@scottemerson

Today passengers are paying 5% less to catch the bus, train, ferry or tram state-wide. A Qld first for PT! #qldpol

A Queensland first in the sense a fare cut for SEQ and urban bus (regional) together.

Not the first time fares cut in SEQ however. 

There was a fare cost decrease in 2004 with the introduction of integrated ticketing ( UTS --> Launch of TransLink Integrated Ticketing )

[dancingmongoose]

I wonder if the snapshot data will improve as a result of this. I feel it may but only ever so slightly. I think the public has realised that bandaids don't cure cancer

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane public transport fares cheaper today: Premier

[ozbob]

Media Release
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier
The Honourable Campbell Newman

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

Transport fares fall under LNP

Passengers across Queensland will pay less for public transport from today, as the Queensland Government's five per cent reduction to fares comes into effect.

Premier Campbell Newman and Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said the $30 million savings from the scrapped carbon tax had been re-invested to reduce the cost of public transport, as a direct result of feedback from Queenslanders.

"We promised to deliver cost of living relief for passengers as part of our strong plan to get more people back on to public transport," Mr Newman said.

"Under a Can-Do LNP Government, families are today paying less for public transport giving them more money in their pocket to spend on what really matters.

"The savings are significant and, when added up over a whole year, could buy the family groceries for several weeks or buy a month's worth of petrol for the family car."

Mr Newman said a regular weekday customer travelling to work from the Gold Coast to Brisbane over 16 zones would now save up to $297 per year.

A passenger travelling a two zone trip (from Enoggera, Indooroopilly and Newstead to the Brisbane CBD or a Gold Coast light rail trip) now saved $83.16 per year.

In regional Queensland, for example, a regular weekday passenger travelling three zones in Townsville saved up to $132 a year.

Mr Emerson said that the LNP promised to tackle affordability and it was a privilege to be part of a Government delivering cheaper fares.

"Only under a Can-Do LNP Government have passengers been delivered a Queensland-first, state-wide public transport fare reduction," Mr Emerson said.

"The cost of living relief will continue and be even greater next year with no increase planned in 2015.

"The former Labor government's public transport record consisted of slugging passengers with 52 per cent fare increases over three years and record low rail reliability.

"Now though, a regular weekly passenger will be paying less than what they would have been under Labor.

"In stark contrast, the LNP has a plan to improve frequency, reliability and affordability of the network building on our already strong record, which shows passengers are choosing public transport."

Mr Emerson said this Government was serious about getting public transport on track for the people of Queensland.

"We have added 3,000 additional bus and train services a week, we are the most reliable metro rail network in Australia and will be delivering real-time information for customers across the TransLink network in South East Queensland," he said.

[ENDS] 3 November 2014