SEQ Fare Review Taskforce

[ozbob]

This morning, the Deputy Premier Ms. Trad has announced a ' Fare Review Taskforce ' during Estimates hearings at Queensland Parliament.

Details to come.

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2015/8/19/expert-taskforce-appointed-to-review-transport-fares

Media Release
Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Jackie Trad

Expert taskforce appointed to review transport fares

A taskforce of public transport experts has been appointed by the Palaszczuk Government to conduct a comprehensive review of TransLink's fare structure in South East Queensland.

The Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport Jackie Trad said the announcement delivers on Labor's commitment to review the public transport fare system to improve affordability and boost patronage.

"The Fare Review will form the basis of a new fare strategy in South East Queensland to increase the rate of public transport patronage while also ensuring a sustainable fare revenue stream to allow the network to grow," Ms Trad said.

"Despite promising a fare review, public transport patronage in South East Queensland declined under the former LNP Government - with two million fewer public transport trips.

"The Palaszczuk Government is committed to restoring confidence in our public transport system and encouraging more people to choose to travel by bus, rail, ferry or light rail to get to their destination.

"We recognise that affordability is perceived to be a barrier to growing patronage on the public transport network, and the Fare Review will work to address this ongoing challenge to create a fairer system."

Ms Trad said the eight representatives on the taskforce included industry-leading public transport experts and representatives from key local user groups.

"The members of the taskforce who will lead the review of fares in South East Queensland bring a wealth of global and local transport knowledge and experience to the table," Ms Trad said.

"Members of the taskforce are eminently qualified to drive the review and come from varied backgrounds in public transport management and research, ticketing systems, tourism, and advocacy group representation, with many experienced in leading global transport organisations working across public and private sectors.

"Key local advocacy and user groups are also represented on the taskforce, to ensure it is equipped with a solid understanding of our local context and needs of transport users in South East Queensland, including seniors and those living with disabilities."

Members of the Fare Review taskforce:

    Mr Neil Cagney (Chair), MRCagney
    Mr Neil Scales, Director-General of the Department of Transport and Main Roads
    Mr Trent Zimmerman, Deputy Chief Executive of Tourism and Transport Forum
    Mr Mark Tucker-Evans, Chief Executive of COTA Queensland
    Mr Jarrett Walker, Consultant, Jarrett Walker and Associates
    Associate Professor Dr Matthew Burke, Griffith University
    Mr Robert Dow, Rail Back on Track
    Ms Sharon Boyce, Chair of the Queensland Disability Advisory Council

"I am confident that this taskforce has the experience to provide informed and constructive and credible recommendations to government.

"We will also engage extensively with the public, providing them with the opportunity to have their say before making a decision about the future of public transport fares in South East Queensland.

"The taskforce will take a holistic view of the existing fare structure and are expected to provide recommendations to government towards the end of this year.

"Input provided through community engagement will be combined with the taskforce's recommendations to inform government's final decision."

To find out more about this project, visit translink.com.au.


MEMBERS OF THE FARE REVIEW TASKFORCE:

Mr Neil Cagney, Managing Director, MRCagney (Chair)

Neil has more than 40 years' experience in transport management and engineering expertise. Neil leads highly-respected transport consultancy MRCagney as the Chairman and has been the head of Brisbane Transport.

Mr Neil Scales, Director-General, Department of Transport and Main Roads

Neil has almost 43 years' transport experience. Prior to joining the Queensland public service, Neil led the transport authority for Merseyside in the north of England. He has received an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to public transport.

Mr Trent Zimmerman, Deputy Chief Executive, Tourism and Transport Forum

Trent has 20 years' experience in Local, State and Federal Government, and extensive understanding of the workings of government, politics and the transport sectors. He is Deputy Chief Executive Officer of TTF and has led much of TTF's transport policy development, the peak industry group for Australian tourism, transport and aviation sectors.

Mr Mark Tucker-Evans, Chief Executive, COTA Queensland

Mark has held CEO roles with research, media, industry and professional associations in New South Wales and Queensland. He represents COTA Queensland on a number of roundtables and forums in the State. COTA Australia is the peak national organisation representing the rights, needs and interests of older Australians.

Mr Jarrett Walker, Consultant, Jarrett Walker and Associates

Jarrett is an international consultant in public transit network design and policy, based in Portland, Oregon. He has 20 years' experience working with government on major planning projects in cities and towns across North America, Australia, and New Zealand. He is the author of Human Transit: How clearer thinking about public transit can enrich our communities and our lives.

Dr Matthew Burke, Associate Professor, Griffith University

Associate Professor Matthew Burke is Deputy Director and an Australian Research Council Future Fellow at Griffith University's Urban Research Program. He coordinates most of Griffith's transport research and currently leads large research grants exploring light rail, transport and land use relationships, and the funding and financing of urban transport. He has previous experience as a transport planner at Commonwealth and State Government level.

Mr Robert Dow, Administrator, Rail Back on Track

Robert is the Spokesman and Administrator for Rail Back on Track, an organisation who provides a forum to promote and lobby Australian Governments to use railway transportation and public and active transport for the benefit of all Australians.

Ms Sharon Boyce, Chair, Queensland Disability Advisory Council, Regional Chair, South West Regional Disability Advisory Council

Sharon runs an experiential educational consultancy practice 'Discovering Disability & Diversity' and won the Australian Human Rights Award for Individuals 2008 for this initiative. Sharon is a professional member on a number of boards and councils in Queensland. Creating inclusive communities is one of her main priorities.

[nathandavid88]

 

[Stillwater]

Will the group be able to call on the government to make available those with technical expertise in the operation of Opal/Go-card?  It is no use the taskforce coming up with excellent ideas as to how fares might operate if some go-card nerd subsequently discovers that 'computer says no.'

[ozbob]

That is understood.

[ozbob]

Hansard Parliamentary Estimates 19th August 2015

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2015/2015_08_19_EstimatesIPC.pdf

ged. I reiterate that transport fares will go up by CPI only.
We made a commitment to conduct a comprehensive fare review for South-East Queensland.
We made that commitment and we will deliver it. Public transport patronage in South-East Queensland
declined significantly under the former LNP government—two million fewer public transport trips on the
system under their watch. What we have promised to do is conduct an expert-led fare review and that
task force has been established. They will determine the optimum fare strategy for South-East
Queensland.
There are eight representatives that make up the review task force. There are industry
representatives, there are leading public transport experts, there are university researchers and key
local user groups as well. They will consider the current zone structure and fares. They will compare it
to other similar metropolitan cities. They will be considering the needs of all transport users in
South-East Queensland—seniors, students, jobseekers and people living with a disability. It will aim to
provide fairness and affordability and provide a sustainable fair revenue stream. But ultimately what we
need to do is aim to boost patronage as well because we know that the more people who use public
transport the fewer vehicles there are on the road, and that means less congestion and that means
people can get home faster to spend time with their families.
The members of the fare review task force are—and it is important that we go through this list of
eminent people: the chair is Mr Neil Cagney, who is the Managing Director of MRCagney; Mr Neil
Scales, Director-General of the Department of Transport and Main Roads, as has already been said;
Mr Trent Zimmerman, Deputy Chief Executive of the Tourism and Transport Forum; Mr Mark
Tucker-Evans, Chief Executive of COTA Queensland—that is the Council on the Ageing; Mr Jarrett
Walker, Consultant with Jarrett Walker + Associates, Dr Matthew Burke, Associate Professor at Griffith
University; Mr Robert Dow, Administrator of Rail Back on Track. I do have to point out that Mr Robert
Dow is a fierce advocate for public transport and public transport reform, as many people would know,
and he does not mind giving anybody stick if he thinks that they are not performing. I think it is important
to note that Mr Robert Dow walked away from the fare review committee that the former transport
17 Jul 2014 Estimates—Transport and Main Roads (Proof) 11
minister set up. He walked away from it because he said it was a farce, and it was a farce. I am
determined that this task force will not be a farce and it will make some expert recommendations to
government that will be sustainable in the long term. Finally, Ms Sharon Boyce, who is the Chair of the
Queensland Disability Advisory Council and the Regional Chair of South West Regional Disability
Advisory Council.
Mr KELLY: I refer

[ozbob]

Twitter

7 News Queensland ‏@7NewsQueensland  3 minutes ago

.@jackietrad will join us LIVE in the afternoon news soon to talk about SEQ public transport fare review #7News

[ozbob]

Will review mean cheaper public transport fares for SEQ? @jackietrad responds - see more on this story at 6pm #7News http://t.co/MJB3qIavrJ

— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) August 19, 2015

[SurfRail]

Well at least now we know why the release was parked.   

[ozbob]

Twitter

QBIC ‏@_QBIC  25m

Peak body representing Queensland's bus industry has welcomed today's announcement of a review into public transport fares in South-East QLD

[ozbob]

7 News --> Qld public transport fares under scrutiny

[verbatim9]

I hope this includes Airtrain review? The go card fare is now 17.00 while you can buy it directly on their App for as low as 14.45

[verbatim9]

We also need weekend and Public Holiday Caps pay no more than 8 bucks in anyone day Sat Sun or PH through out the whole Se region

[ozbob]

^ the go card system is an old one.  It is limited in terms of what can be done verbatim9

From 2013 > http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9625.msg119833#msg119833  it has been known for some time that there are real restrictions on the type of fare products that can be done on it.  This is one of the reasons why instead of a flat fare for Seniors the 2 and free was brought in.  This was followed by the 10 and free, and thence the 9 and free as polyticks took over.

There is little doubt in my mind that flat fares for the weekend would be good. Daily and weekly caps, with simple flat fares for weekends as for example as for myki,  Opal (Sundays), would be much preferred by many.  I expect as the review proceeds TransLink will get a lot of feedback on that.

I think it is best to wait to see what TransLink put up on the website for the review, and what the feedback options will be etc.

The next generation ticketing product/system, whenever that is, will I expect be able to handle all sorts of fares.   

[ozbob]

Fare Review Taskforce Terms of Reference

>> http://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/fares/fare-review-ToR

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

Purpose

The taskforce will be convened to undertake a review of the existing fare structure for public transport in South East Queensland. The review will form the basis of a new fare path strategy that promotes fairness, addresses affordability, and promotes patronage growth.

The aim of the review is to take a holistic view of the existing fare structure and provide options that increase patronage, ensure value for money for both users and government, reduce revenue leakage, simplify the network and continue to encourage take-up of go cards.

The current ticketing system is nearing the end of its planned life and, as such, some initiatives will not be possible using the existing technology. The taskforce may therefore recommend options to be considered as part of the development of the next generation ticketing system.


Membership
Mr Neil Cagney, Chairman, MRCagney (Chair)
Mr Neil Scales, Director-General, Department of Transport and Main Roads
Mr Jarrett Walker, Consultant, Jarrett Walker and Associates
Mr Robert Dow, Administrator, Rail Back on Track
Ms Sharon Boyce, Chair, Queensland Disability Advisory Council
Mr Mark Tucker-Evans, Chief Executive, COTA Queensland
Mr Trent Zimmerman, Deputy Chief Executive, Tourism and Transport Forum
Dr Matthew Burke, Associate Professor, Griffith University

Scope and Function

Members of the taskforce will apply their expertise to:

review the existing fare structure in South East Queensland in relation to meeting the government's objectives of promoting fairness, affordability and patronage growth.

consider potential fare and ticketing initiatives; quantify their financial and budgetary implications; consider the strategic impact of each option and recommend a package of options consistent with the government's objectives.

The following must be considered:

patronage growth

benefits to individuals, community and economy

cost to individuals and Government subsidy impacts

implications for the existing network in terms of changing usage patterns

implications for land-use and employment patterns

ability to implement changes with existing ticketing system technology and timeframe limitations.

The scope includes consideration of:

products, ticket types including concession classes

zonal structure including zonal anomalies network utilisation

existing travel discount schemes future indexation of fares

administration and/or system simplification.

Items that are out of scope for this review include:

removing paper tickets
requiring additional transport services
broad discounting across all ticket types, without consideration of further structural reforms
changing eligibility of existing state and federal concessions
altering specific purpose products for other uses

The taskforce will develop a detailed options paper for public consultation.
Following on from public consultation recommendations will be submitted to government.

[#Metro]

Interesting to see what is in the no go zone


removing paper tickets
requiring additional transport services
broad discounting across all ticket types, without consideration of further structural reforms
changing eligibility of existing state and federal concessions
altering specific purpose products for other uses

The taskforce will develop a detailed options paper for public consultation.
Following on from public consultation recommendations will be submitted to government.

Removing paper tickets - they were supposed to be gone long ago. The whole idea was to replace the paper ticketing, not have 2 systems side by side. SMS ticketing can be used now on most phones.

[ozbob]

The issue of ' removal of paper tickets ' is not in the brief for the Fare Review Taskforce, however I expect that will be considered by TransLink/TMR as part of the ongoing management of public transport and particularly for preparation to a new generation ticketing system.  It is not forgotten or overlooked.

[verbatim9]

We need open payment so the readers can calculate a fare from your Master Visa Çredit or Debit card

[ozbob]

We need open payment so the readers can calculate a fare from your Master Visa Çredit or Debit card

Indeed, and I expect the new generation system will do just that ..   

[Gazza]

n terms of discounts for regular users,

I think a reward points scheme could be implemented in the context of the current system, because it doesn't rely on extra software modules or complex calculations on the smart card itself, which is where things always fall flat in terms of the suggestions we make.



Everyone registered has an online travel history right? It then becomes a simple case where at the end of each day it looks at what travel you have done, and then allocates points based on the travel you have done (Could be that 1 zone = 1 point, so a trip to Gympie North for example gives you 23 points)



These points are held on your online account, not written on the card.



This avoids rorting, because notching short trips on a Monday will result in bugger all points actually being accumulated...A lunch hour one stop bus trip will net you a measly 1 point, so people will stop doing that.



It also helps people who say work Thursday to Monday who never get to reach the 9 then free cap because of the way it counts from Monday...Instead, people just travel when they need to, and accumulate points.



Once your online account reaches a certain block of points (100? 200? To be decided) you get bonus money credited to your go card, which becomes available next time you touch on. This is similar to the bonus credit you get in Perth when making large top ups.

[red dragin]

^ Everyone loves a points system too. That's a good idea, I like it.

[verbatim9]

Hopefully you can redeem your points on the Airport line 😜

[#Metro]

9 points then free? 

[Gazza]

My submission would be along these lines.

Members of the taskforce will apply their expertise to:

review the existing fare structure in South East Queensland in relation to meeting the government's objectives of promoting fairness, affordability and patronage growth.
consider potential fare and ticketing initiatives; quantify their financial and budgetary implications; consider the strategic impact of each option and recommend a package of options consistent with the government's objectives.
The following must be considered:

patronage growth


benefits to individuals, community and economy

cost to individuals and Government subsidy impacts
In other words. people just need to give up on the idea of 100% free public transport. By all means, subsidise some of the cost because the decision to use PT benefits others, but totally free? No, because the benefit of the travel itself only really benefits the user.

implications for the existing network in terms of changing usage patterns
Avoid mucking with the number of zones until GoCard is replaced. Reducing the number of zones will lead people to drive to cheaper stations, as happens in other cities.

implications for land-use and employment patterns
No free fare zones in the CBD, because that shifts the burden of fares onto people elsewhere (Eg Gold Coast locals who spend 99% of their lives doing local travel within the coast)


ability to implement changes with existing ticketing system technology and timeframe limitations.
I think my idea of reward points can be bolted onto the current system without having to modify the mechanics of the card itself.

The scope includes consideration of:

products, ticket types including concession classes
As now, but do my travel rewards scheme.
Introduce a concession class for jobseekers and healthcare card holders.


zonal structure including zonal anomalies
Fix up zone boundaries to get rid of anomalies. Merge Zone 1 and 2. Zone 1 is stupidly small and turns many common inner city and cross river trips 2 zones.

network utilisation
Trial family fares etc over school holidays before deciding whether to commit.

existing travel discount schemes
Do my idea for travel reward points rather than the rortable caps. Promote actual loyalty, not merely repetitive weekly travel for passengers that do the same trip to work.

future indexation of fares
CPI fare increases.

administration and/or system simplification.

Items that are out of scope for this review include:

removing paper tickets
Can wait on this one till GoCard gets replaced. Not that urgent, and things like all door boarding and prepaid on busways are more important IMO. With the price differential between paper/go card, why isn't it a flat surchage rather than a percentage? Eg why does a paper ticket cost almost $10 more for a a trip to Gympie North, but $1.35 for a 1 zone trip. Surely the cost of issuing a paper ticket is constant regardless of journey length?

requiring additional transport services


broad discounting across all ticket types, without consideration of further structural reforms
Here's the thing. The 5 year failed fare path wanted to get the subsidy down, but it placed the entire burden on passengers, when the government should have been getting their house in order and reducing their running costs, improving efficiency and reducing waste. It's not really passengers fault that the system only gets 25% cost recovery.

changing eligibility of existing state and federal concessions
Yeah, but there should still be concessions for the unemployed, in line with other states.

altering specific purpose products for other uses
Yeah, but the GC go cards should be valid on trains within the relevant gold coast zones.

The taskforce will develop a detailed options paper for public consultation.

[#Metro]

A few thoughts:

What Happened Before?
Firstly, I would like to see appreciation and analysis of what PREVIOUS policy decisions were. We need to establish a working idea of 'the basics'. What was the impact of fare increases 20%, 15%, 7.5% etc. What was the impact of 0% increase that Bligh did before the election? What was the impact of 9-then waste policy? What was the impact of Newman's 7.5% fare increase and the subsequent reversal.

These are natural experiments that would tell you something about how strong or weak the fare lever is in relation to other levers (i.e network reform).

For example, how many more passengers would we get by spending $10 million on fare reduction as opposed to $10 million on increased bus frequency on the network?

Secondly, I would like to see some policy aspects explored such as:

Legislated, explicit ban on establishing a standing free transit zone in the CBD.  (Allows temporary ones for special events like NYE, G20, EKKA etc) The politicians cannot help themselves when an election is coming and tinkering with the fare system right before an election (both blue and red team are guilty of this) as caused major erosion of the fares base.

Fare setting: Fares path should be set such after an election, and valid for 4 years (or so), so that it is impossible to tinker with it before an election. This will stop nonsense like 9-then waste and 0% fare increases tinkerings before an election.

Gazza's points idea has good merit to it. I think I would support it.

[verbatim9]

I like being able to travel longer distances for free after 9trips example Eumundi and Gold Coast from Brisbane. If that would disappear I would seriously think about driving again

[#Metro]

I don't agree with CPI indexation of fares. The review panel should look at this explicitly also, because I think it is unsound.

The purpose of prices is to rise or fall according to the system's costs, level of subsidy that is politically acceptable (policy) and demand.

CPI contains a whole host of irrelevant things like cost of food and alcohol, clothing and footwear. It's arbitary. It is effectively a fares freeze.
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/exnote/6401.0

You could link to something like increase in earnings/wages as an alternative.

There is little reason to believe that bus fuel costs, or demand for new services or labour wage costs will track CPI (or any other index). They might or might not. Circumstances are dynamic.

Ultimately, I think gov't should make clear what the costs to run the system, the subsidy level, calculate the environmental and avoided congestion benefits etc, and set fares based on some balance between maximising patronage and making sure that people can afford PT.

Key Questions are, among others,:
1. What does the system cost to run
2. What subsidy ratio is the gov't willing to pay
3. What is the fares level that maximises patronage
4. What are the benefits (enviro, social, economic) of PT

A fare path should be published and that should cover the next x years (where the path expires after an election so there is no pre-election meddling).

[#Metro]

Here's the thing. The 5 year failed fare path wanted to get the subsidy down, but it placed the entire burden on passengers, when the government should have been getting their house in order and reducing their running costs, improving efficiency and reducing waste. It's not really passengers fault that the system only gets 25% cost recovery.

We are in furious agreement!

[techblitz]

What people need to understand is the current setup is meant to reward dedicated frequent travellers.....meaning the ones who dont own a vehicle and will likely do many more trips than the 9-5ers or occasional family trippers......the 9-5"rs/families/unemployed are the ones getting shafted at the moment...so something needs to be done about that......and it will most likely mean that the dedicated frequents will have to foot the bill.....im in the "dedicated" category...dont own a vehicle and do many trips from zones 1-16 and in return have been rewarded very generously for this dedication under the "XX then free" system...
The real positive to this review is that there will be community consulation......

[#Metro]

I'd like to see Gazza's points go towards weekend travel perhaps. Makes no sense (except for vote buying) to give the Friday free. I never knew anyone who slept at work over the whole weekend just to avoid the fare of going home on Friday.

[ozbob]

Remember the present go card system has limitations.  What you have seen since 2006 is all that can be done essentially.

Look at from the point of view what can be done now, and what could be done on a new ticketing system (years away).

From TOR http://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/fares/fare-review-ToR

The following must be considered:

patronage growth

benefits to individuals, community and economy

cost to individuals and Government subsidy impacts

implications for the existing network in terms of changing usage patterns

implications for land-use and employment patterns

ability to implement changes with existing ticketing system technology and timeframe limitations.

The scope includes consideration of:

products, ticket types including concession classes

zonal structure including zonal anomalies network utilisation

existing travel discount schemes future indexation of fares

administration and/or system simplification.

[Stillwater]

Having been to Sydney recently, I was amazed by the numbers of people travelling at weekends on a family concession ticket.  The pensioners were out and about at weekends also.  Train patronage was good.  People were going to the Blue Mountains for the day, to Circular Quay, to Taronga Park, the Art Gallery .... you name it.

With congestion and traffic volumes on key Brisbane arterial roads at weekends reaching weekday proportions, options for a weekend excursion ticket should be explored.  TransLink should also look upon it as a promotion to introduce people to trains a buses.  It would be a good way to fill up otherwise empty seats on weekend PT services.

[verbatim9]

It's important to keep 9 then free. And introduce weekend and Public Holiday capping to fill up PT with casual users

[SurfRail]

It's important to keep 9 then free.

On the contrary, I think it should die a painful and fiery death.

We need to make it easier for people to use public transport all the time, not just people who are part of the captive CBD travel market.

[verbatim9]

It's important to keep 9 then free.

On the contrary, I think it should die a painful and fiery death.

We need to make it easier for people to use public transport all the time, not just people who are part of the captive CBD travel market.

Why does NSW have 8 then free ? It must have some impact to use more PT during the week

[ozbob]

^ Main reason was the non-mode integration of Opal bus - rail.  It is not the issue it is here because there is also a daily cap ($15) and a weekly cap ($60).  My guess is when they move to full mode integration (review in progress) the free after 8 will probably go west .. 

[verbatim9]

^ Main reason was the non-mode integration of Opal bus - rail.  It is not the issue it is here because there is also a daily cap ($15) and a weekly cap ($60).  My guess is when they move to full mode integration (review in progress) the free after 8 will probably go west ..

If they introduce a 15 dollar cap here in Se Qld Its still will be expensive to go to the coast and back after spending 40 bucks during the week. Say you also spend a night thats 30 bucks return, when now it's free after spending just under 30 bucks in zone 1 in one week

[ozbob]

The go card 10 and free introduction (2012) was a just a desperate political move in response to the massive fare increases from 2010.  The 10 and free was easily trumped politically as the 9 and free.  It is not a rational ticketing policy, is not sustainable and is a massive leakage.

The TOR suggest that the Government is concerned with ' leakage ' ..

"  ...The aim of the review is to take a holistic view of the existing fare structure and provide options that increase patronage, ensure value for money for both users and government, reduce revenue leakage, simplify the network and continue to encourage take-up of go cards ... "

http://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/fares/fare-review-ToR

[ozbob]

^ Main reason was the non-mode integration of Opal bus - rail.  It is not the issue it is here because there is also a daily cap ($15) and a weekly cap ($60).  My guess is when they move to full mode integration (review in progress) the free after 8 will probably go west ..

If they introduce a 15 dollar cap here in Se Qld Its still will be expensive to go to the coast and back after spending 40 bucks during the week. Say you also spend a night thats 30 bucks return, when now it's free after spending just under 30 bucks in zone 1 in one week

Is that really equitable?

[verbatim9]

It's will encourage more car use on weekends unless the cap is 6 bucks for weekends and Public Holidays.

Since fares are up we could do 75% off after 8 trips Off peak 30 % off?