Go explore card

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
Saturday, July 05, 2014

Explore the Gold Coast with go explore

Tourists and visitors exploring the Gold Coast and taking advantage of the new light rail system will have access to a new, affordable all-day travel go explore card.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said the newcard was a simple and affordable way for tourists and visitors to use public transport on the Gold Coast.

"As part of our strong plan for a brighter future to get more people onto public transport, the go explore card offers an all-day public transport pass on the Gold Coast," Mr Emerson said.

"The cost per day for a new card is $15 for adults and $7.50 for children aged 5-14 and provides unlimited travel on TransLink buses and trams on the Gold Coast.

"People can use their go explore card to visit tourist attractions, airport, shopping destinations and beaches by day, plus restaurants, bars or nightclubs by night.

"The card will be available for passengers to use once light rail services start.

"The one day pass is activated the first time you touch onto a bus or at a tram station and is valid until the last service on that day."

Mr Emerson said it was an exciting boost for the Gold Coast tourism industry, with a card designed specifically for the area and will encourage more people to make use of public transport and allow them to see and experience more Gold Coast attractions.

"The card will expire 12 months after the date of purchase and all travel using your Gold Coast go explore card must be completed before the card expires," he said.

"The Gold Coast go explore card uses the same technology as the go card, so you must always touch on and touch off when you board a bus or enter a tram station."

Mr Emerson said tram services are expected to start once the final testing is complete.

"I look forward to the commencement of the trams that will revolutionise public transport for the Gold Coast community and get more people out of their cars, easing congestion on the road network."

Once light rail services commence, tourists and visitors can purchase the Gold Coast go explore card from the TransLink website translink.com.au/goexplore (external site) or retailers and hotels across the Gold Coast.

[ENDS] 5 July 2014

[ozbob]

> http://translink.com.au/goexplore





One day unlimited Gold Coast bus and tram travel

    unlimited travel for one day on all TransLink buses and trams
    simple touch on and off for each bus or tram service
    easy access to the best beaches, shops, restaurants, bars and attractions by day and night!

Get all this for just $15 for adults and $7.50 for children (aged 5-14 years inclusive)

Available when the G: starts in mid 2014

Need help? View our FAQ's and conditions of use > http://translink.com.au/goexplore/faq  (presently has  access errors)

[ozbob]

Finally, a sensible and affordable option on the go ...

Next question:  SEQ?

[#Metro]

So it IS technically possible.

[ozbob]

So it IS technically possible.

Yo!  Simple flat fares yes (eg. SEEQ card). Which is why the two journey daily cap nonsense for Seniors was always such a mystery.

Dynamic capping is beyond the present set up as I understand.

[BrizCommuter]

$15 is still overpriced, and why isn't this option available in Brisbane?

[ozbob]

$15 is still overpriced, and why isn't this option available in Brisbane?

Agree roll out to all of SEQ might be a good move - but cannot see that happening with the present fare table being what it is.

Tad expensive, depends how many trips you take.  Relative to paper good deal, may not be cf. to normal go card fares if you only do a couple of trips.

However for a unlimited daily cap reasonable.  Note excludes rail though.  It is for the local 'captured market' so to speak bus and tram.

If a tourist/visitor is there for more than a few days, normal go card would be a better option of course.

[ozbob]

Hey ho ..  internet #101 fail ...

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

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow now

. @TransLinkSEQ G'day links from http://translink.com.au/goexplore  eg. http://translink.com.au/goexplore/faq  have access errors ping @scottemersonmp

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

http://translink.com.au/goexplore/conditions-of-use  also access errors.

If they don't want punters to view those pages they should not link them ... 

[ozbob]

^

Twitter

TransLink SEQ ‏@TransLinkSEQ

@Robert_Dow thank you Robert, I have forwarded this to the relevant department for investigation. - J

[ozbob]

Media release 5th July 2014

Gold Coast: go explore ticket option welcomed

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 welcomed the announcement of a new ticketing initiative for Gold Coast trams and bus (1, 2).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The go explore ticket is exciting news for public transport and the Gold Coast. Unlimited daily travel on buses and trams on the Gold Coast for $15 for adults, and $7.50 for children is sensible and affordable. Used in the same way as a go card it fits in seamlessly with the go card system."

"For most tourists and visitors on the Gold Coast it is a smart ticketing option."

"If a tourist/visitor is using the buses and trams for more than a few days, a normal go card generally would be a better more affordable option than the go explore. A normal go card also includes rail travel as well."

"No doubt there will be some interest to roll out a similar ticketing product for Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, and perhaps consider a more equitable daily flat fare option for Seniors rather than the present daily two paid journey then travel free cap."

References:

1. http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2014/7/5/explore-the-gold-coast-with-go-explore

2. http://translink.com.au/goexplore

Contact:

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

[red dragin]

Having been a tourist o/s a few times, what seems a reasonably priced option of all day travel stopped me from looking at per ticket fares. I think $15 isn't too high.

A 24hr or 72 hr option would have been my preference, perceived better value for money even though you don't use it whilst your asleep.

[ozbob]

http://translink.com.au/goexplore/conditions-of-use

Gold Coast go explore card conditions of use


    The cardholder is deemed to have accepted these conditions of use when the go explore card is made active by TransLink.

    The cardholder must comply with:

    these conditions of use

    all legislation relating to smart cards, including the Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994: and, if the card­holder or authorised user fails to comply with the above, the cardholder indemnifies TransLink for all loss, damage, costs and expenses incurred by TransLink as a result of such failure.

    The go explore card may be used for travel on TransLink bus and tram services on the Gold Coast, provided that:

    the service is equipped with an operational card reader
    the card is touched on at the start of a trip and touched off at the end of a trip
    the go explore card is valid and has not expired, or been cancelled or blocked.

    The go explore card must be touched to a card reader at the start and finish of travel on a TransLink service, to obtain a response from the card reader indicating that the go explore card has been read successfully. The number of go explore cards used for each trip must equal the number of cardholders travelling.

    The cardholder will be liable for all fares, fees and charges incurred by the use of the go explore card by any person until the go explore card is expired.

    The go explore card remains the property of TransLink and the card must be produced for inspection or surrendered to TransLink upon request.

    The go explore card is valid for one year from date of purchase.

    TransLink may change these terms and conditions and related material (such as the TransLink go card user guide and the go card guide to balance transfers and refunds) at its discretion. Updated terms and conditions and related materials will be published on the TransLink website translink.com.au, and are also available by calling TransLink on 13 12 30. TransLink will use its best efforts to advertise changes to these terms and conditions before they commence.

    Refunds are not permitted for the go explore card. In the event that the go explore card is faulty due to a manufacturing defect, the customer should contact the TransLink call centre on 13 12 30 to determine if an alternative ticketing product will be available.

    A maximum of 8 additional pass products can be loaded onto the card at one time.

    The go explore card cannot be used for travel on Gold Coast Tourist Shuttle services or theme park shuttle services (hotel pick up) operated by Surfside bus lines.

    Not for use on Queensland Rail train services.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast go explore card - FAQs --> http://translink.com.au/goexplore/faq

Gold Coast go explore card - FAQs  PDF --> http://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/travel-information/gold-coast/July-2014-go-explore-faq.pdf

[ozbob]

... A maximum of 8 additional pass products can be loaded onto the card at one time ...

^  interesting .. a future sign??

[ozbob]

Having been a tourist o/s a few times, what seems a reasonably priced option of all day travel stopped me from looking at per ticket fares. I think $15 isn't too high.

A 24hr or 72 hr option would have been my preference, perceived better value for money even though you don't use it whilst your asleep.

Can be loaded up with 8 days of travel, not necessarily consecutive. Interesting approach.

http://translink.com.au/goexplore/faq

Yes, you can reload your Gold Coast go explore card with another day pass at any tram station, selected TransLink retail agents or on board Gold Coast buses. Cards can be reloaded with up to 8 day passes at any one time. The passes do not have to be used on consecutive days.

[dancingmongoose]

Do you think we could see a return of daily/weekly/monthly/yearly passes? Certainly this indicates we have the technology to do it without paper tickets.

[ozbob]

Do you think we could see a return of daily/weekly/monthly/yearly passes? Certainly this indicates we have the technology to do it without paper tickets.

Having a weekly pass for example based on nine peak fares for a particular zone would certainly be a lot more equitable then the present 9 then free rort game.

It would preserve the fare box but still encourage maximum use.  Myki is rather good on this with myki pass, if you go out side zones, just taps into myki money (pay as you go as for go card).

I think ticketing outcomes will depend on the how they move forwards with the next generation ticketing process and if there is any real consultation on ticketing (never has been by the way as far as I am aware).

[ozbob]

The PTAG (Public Transport Advisory Group)  allegedly representing a wide variety of community view points, has in its various forms with various governments put forward a number of ticketing initiatives and so forth.

It is completely ignored as a matter of course (ALP and LNP both guilty) and bizarre fare outcomes hatched in the hallowed halls of George St and environs are inflicted on the poor public.

Yes it is fare fail SEQ!