SEQ Fare Review Taskforce

[Stillwater]

I am sure cups of tea and Tim Tams don't count as payment.

Re the review itself, is there hope of reform before the Go-Card system is replaced?

[ozbob]

Well as the go card contract has been extended for 3 years from September 2016, I would say it's odds on ..

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

[Stillwater]

That suggests reform is 3 years off ....

When government's don't want to do anything, one tactic is to hold a lengthy review so that the Minister can say 'we are proactively reviewing that and I want all the facts on the table from the experts before I make up my mind.'

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2015/12/20/public-transport-patronage-tracking-up-as-fares-freeze

Media Release
Minister for Transport and the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe

Public transport patronage tracking up as fares freeze

The Palaszczuk Government today announced a freeze on public transport fares across South East Queensland until 1 July, 2016 while the independent Fare Review is underway.

Minister for Transport Stirling Hinchliffe said the decision to freeze fares and not proceed with a scheduled annual CPI increase had been made to ensure commuters would not be impacted while the current fare structure in South East Queensland was being considered by the expert-led taskforce.

"The Palaszczuk Government is committed to restoring confidence in our public transport system and boosting patronage by delivering fair, affordable and sustainable fares across our network," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"That's why in August the Queensland Government appointed an independent taskforce of public transport experts to lead a comprehensive review of TransLink's fare structure in South East Queensland.

"In the spirit of fairness, while the taskforce continues its work, the Palaszczuk Government will suspend the projected annual CPI increase due in January 2016."

Mr Hinchliffe said affordability in public transport fares was a priority for the Palaszczuk Government because public transport patronage in South East Queensland declined under the former LNP Government – with two million fewer public transport trips recorded across the network.

"In stark contrast, public transport use has increased over the past few months under the Labor Government," he said.

"Public transport patronage increased by 3.1 percent between July and September 2015, with more than 47 million trips recorded on South East Queensland's public transport network."

The data was released today in the TransLink Tracker, a quarterly report of the performance of South East Queensland's public transport network that was scrapped by the former LNP Government.

"The Palaszczuk Government's decision to release the TransLink Tracker is about restoring accountability and transparency in our public transport network and overturns the former LNP government's decision to withhold this data from the community," he said.

Mr Hinchliffe said Queenslanders would have an opportunity to have their say on the future of public transport fares when the recommendations of the review are released.

"Queenslanders can be confident that the review will deliver a fair and affordable fare structure that will help boost patronage while delivering a sustainable fare revenue stream to allow the network to continue to grow," he said.

Public transport fares regional services will not rise in 2016 as the Bus Cost Index has not increased.

The Fare Review Taskforce is set to release its recommendations for community consultation early next year. Public transport patronage increased by 3.1 percent between July and September 2015, with more than 47 million trips recorded on South East Queensland's public transport network.

For public transport information, download the My TransLink app, visit www.translink.com.au or contact the TransLink call centre on 13 12 30, anytime.

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2015/12/20/public-transport-patronage-tracking-up

Media Statements
Minister for Transport and the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Public transport patronage tracking up

Public transport patronage increased by 3.1 percent between July and September 2015 compared with the same period last year, with more than 47 million trips recorded on South East Queensland's public transport network.

The data was released today by the Minister for Transport Stirling Hinchliffe in the TransLink Tracker, a quarterly report of the performance of South East Queensland's public transport network that was scrapped by the former LNP Government.

"The Palaszczuk Government's decision to release the TransLink Tracker is about restoring accountability and transparency in our public transport network and overturns the former LNP government's decision to withhold this data from the community," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"It's fantastic to see that after three years of stagnating under the former government's watch, patronage on our public transport network is growing and is up by 3.1 per cent.

"The last TransLink Tracker report was released more than three years ago, and under the former LNP government key performance data about our public transport network was not published in full drawing criticism from public transport advocates and national organisations.

"The decision to publish the full report honours our commitment to the people of Queensland to lead an open and transparent government and provide people with an easy to access document that informs then how we are working to make their public transport journey better.

"The full report provides a snapshot of South East Queensland's public transport network performance and ensures full transparency about patronage, on-time running, customer enquiries, go card use, customer satisfaction, passenger safety, fare evasion and service kilometres.

"Through the TransLink Tracker, the community can measure how we are progressing towards our goal of providing a safe, integrated, reliable and efficient transport system."

The first TransLink Tracker to be delivered under the Palaszczuk Government for the 1 July to 30 September quarter shows patronage increased across all public transport modes.

Key highlights in the Q1 2015-16 report compared with the same period last year include:

    More than 47.09 million trips on the South East Queensland network - an increase of approximately 1.42 million trips
    A 430,000 increase in bus trips, 305,000 increase in train trips and 40,000 increase in ferry trips
    An increase of than 640,000 trips on Gold Coast Light Rail from 1.24 million to 1.88 million

Mr Hinchliffe said the TransLink Tracker confirmed that affordability remains the weakest performing category.

"These results show that affordability continues to be a barrier to growing patronage on our public transport network," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"The Palaszczuk Government is addressing this issue and has appointed an expert-led taskforce to conduct a comprehensive review of TransLink's fares to improve affordability and meet the government's objectives of promoting fairness, affordability and patronage growth.

"Today the government also announced a fare freeze until 1 July, 2016 while the Taskforce Review is underway to ensure commuters will not be impacted while the current fare structure in South East Queensland is being considered."

Mr Hinchliffe said that from today Queensland Rail would also proactively publish (external site) a suite of performance data on its website every month about punctuality, reliability, safety, security and customer satisfaction.

The TransLink Tracker is available online https://publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/translink-division-quarterly-reports

For public transport information, download the My TransLink app, visit www.translink.com.au (external site) or contact the TransLink call centre on 13 12 30, anytime.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Freeze placed on south-east Queensland public transport fares

Public transport fare increases have been put on hold in south-east Queensland as the Palaszczuk government waits for recommendations from an independent fare review.

The freeze comes weeks before the government's scheduled 2.5 per cent increase in transport fares, which were due in January.

Minister for Transport Stirling Hinchliffe said the freeze was a "great win" for commuters, with the independent fare review taskforce, appointed in August 2015, expected to deliver recommendations by early next year.

"The Palaszczuk  government appreciates that fare affordability is one of the great barriers to even greater use of our transport system and we want to get this right, we want to make sure we have a system that works best for commuters, works best for the community," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"We genuinely recognise that affordability is one of the key barriers that is holding back our system, that is why we have the fare review underway, that is why we have frozen fares today, awaiting that fare review.

"We will make sure that we deal with affordability for transit users as well as reliability."

Mr Hinchliffe said the taskforce would look at zone areas in south-east Queensland, to ensure the cost of a journey reflects the distance travelled by users, who've increased in numbers by 3.1 per cent in the period between July and September 2015.

"The fare review will be addressing fares in a broader way, not just about what the price is, but how the different zones interact, how discounts for regular users interacts with a better deal for commuters overall," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"What we will see through the fare review is a change possibly in a number of ways the fares will interact with each other, the zones and making sure the fares reflect the appropriate costs for appropriate journeys.

"it isn't just about cost overall, it's about making sure fares and fit for particular journeys.

"We need to have a system that understands how the broad, large network works and that fares reflect the drivers for efficiency and affordability for all of the commuters on the network."

Mr Hinchliffe said an increase in fare prices was inevitable, in line with broader price increases due to inflation.

"We will see, over time, prices go up, prices of fares have always gone up, generally in line with broader price increases in the wider community," he said.

"That is the nature of the way that price increases happen across all sorts of costs people have in the sector.

"We want to make sure we minimise that but most importantly, make it fair for all commuters across the network."

The fare freeze, expected to last for up to six months, will cost the government $5 million dollars.

Shadow Transport Minister Scott Emerson criticised the review, and said last time Labor conducted a review into transport fares, fares went up 15 per cent.

"Commuters have to remember what Labor did last time they were in office; fares went up 15 per cent year after year after their review," Mr Emerson said.

"Whatever policies come in place, they have to show how they are going to afford it, " Mr Emerson said.

"What we said is that we would put up fares less than inflation rate, we were going to do that.

"Public transport users should be very fearful about what is to come."

The Palaszczuk government re-established the Translink tracker on Sunday, a quarterly report on the performance of the public transport network in south-east Queensland, in an attempt to show any changes that happen to the fare system are "fair and transparent".

[techblitz]

cat out of the bag??

brisbane times  >>>> http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-transport-leaked-report-reveals-public-transport-shakeup-20160204-gmlcyc.html

Fifteen public transport fare zones may be scrapped, along with the free travel after nine journeys scheme under the Palaszczuk Government's fare review the Opposition claims, having been leaked the report before Labor was ready to release it to the public.

[SurfRail]

I suspect they were trying to sit on this briefly so it didn't get lost in amongst all the BCC election foaming.

I don't think anybody here is going to be overly surprised with what it probably says.

Frankly it's idiotic for the opposition to pre-empting stuff like this if there is going to be a clear benefit to most commuters.

[Fares_Fair]

Looks that way TB..

This report is a recommendation to the Government from the Fare Review Committee and we will need to wait and see what the State Government's response to the report is.

[#Metro]

We should not comment on any leak IMHO, just encourages knee-jerk politics and policy.

"To top it off almost 80,000 commuters would lose access to the free trips they currently get under the 'free after nine' scheme."

Emerson has no credibility. Introduced 9-then waste. Sat by while the entire bus network went into collapse and lost control of his own portfolio to BCC - which was LNP also!

No such thing as free trips!! You're paying for them with higher base fares!!

[techblitz]

opposition will always focus on the negatives no matter how small......will be interesting to see the effects for sunny/gold coast commuters .......but will be good to see the unemployed get some cost relief...

[#Metro]

Everyone wants freebies or feel "rewarded". This is what ruins everything.

IMHO, all the gimmicks need to go.

[SurfRail]

The report needs to make it very clear what the reasoning is behind the current pricing and why it isn't working - and how to fix it.

IPART does this stuff (albeit they are stupidly fixated on assessing costs from mode to mode instead of looking at a cost for the network at large).

[Derwan]

The LNP has leaked handpicked parts of the report for political gain.  Gutter politics at its worst!

[nathandavid88]

Frankly it's idiotic for the opposition to pre-empting stuff like this if there is going to be a clear benefit to most commuters.

Completely idiotic, but if there's the possibility of scoring political points from it, of course the LNP is going to act like this. Hell, the ALP would probably do exactly the same thing if it were on the other side of the chamber.

I'm kinda hoping this leak will force the proposals to be made public, as I want to see what the culled zone network will look like. Proposed pricing structure will be of interest too.

[#Metro]

I always wondered if the fare setting could be made independant or at least go through a panel of some sort (could be a community panel) for review.

The fares are just cheap political trickery and gimmickery. Like when Anna Bligh froze fares just before an election, and then the next year, put fares up 20% to make up for it!!

More interesting is who is the leaker?

Is this a kite-flying exercise to 'test the waters'. Or maybe - purely speculating here - Jackie Trad wanting a promotion to Premier??

[Fares_Fair]

Obviously as a long haul commuter I have concerns about the cost increases to Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast commuters.
I have already received an email expressing "stressful' concerns over this story.

This report is a recommendation to the Government from the Fare Review Committee and to be fair, we will need to wait and see what the State Government's response to the report is.

I see it now as an opportunity to highlight any concerns to the Government, before anything is enacted.
The committee members themselves were all leaders in their fields.

We have not seen all of the detail in this report either.. best to wait and see.

[#Metro]

I cannot imagine any of these people being a leaker. Some of them don't even live in Australia!

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

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

No, I think this has been one of those 'accidentally-on-purpose' 'leaks' from the Government designed to test or at least soften up public reaction.

I would be a shame if 9-then waste were to be retained because of this. Give me a break Emerson!

[nathandavid88]

I'm noting that Emerson hasn't given any indication of what the actual proposed fare structure will be, which I think is telling in itself.

[aldonius]

Actually, there is one obvious connection - Zimmerman was elected the (Liberal) member for North Sydney in the December by-election.

Almost too obvious...

[Fares_Fair]

The Government has released a Media Statement about the Fare Review.


Minister for Transport and the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe

Thursday, February 04, 2016

Statement on the Independent Fare Review

The Palaszczuk Government's plan is to deliver fairer fares.

As promised, we appointed an independent expert taskforce in August last year to lead a comprehensive review of TransLink's fare structure in South East Queensland.

The Fare Review delivers on Labor's election commitment to improve our public transport fare system, address affordability and deliver fairer public transport fares.

In the spirit of fairness we also announced a freeze on the scheduled 2.5 per cent public transport fare increase set by the LNP while the review is underway.

The independent Fare Review is still ongoing to allow the Taskforce to prepare advice around how a future fare system will interact with the Next Generation Ticketing Solution as a procurement process is currently underway to develop a new ticketing system to replace the existing go card system.

The Fare Review will provide recommendations to government around affordability, concessions and zones and the taskforce will provide a draft governance framework to establish an independent body to provide ongoing advice to government on fares.

The review is expected to be handed down in the first half of this year and will be followed by extensive community consultation.

Affordability is a priority for the Palaszczuk Government because public transport patronage in South East Queensland declined under the former LNP Government and it's a barrier to growing patronage on the public transport network.

Under the LNP's watch public transport patronage in South East Queensland declined by more than two million trips and the former Transport Minister's signature policy was the failed Tertiary Transport Concession Card that penalised students and institutions.

The independent Fare Review Taskforce includes industry-leading public transport experts and representatives from key local user groups.



Media Contact:  0475 950 772

[#Metro]

Actually, there is one obvious connection - Zimmerman was elected the (Liberal) member for North Sydney in the December by-election.

Almost too obvious...

Excellent point.

I am fed up with all the gimmickry and using PT fare changes as cheap political leverage during just before an election campaign.

Fare changes should have to go through a protocol and standard public review process before being changed or altered in any way.

[SurfRail]

No, I think this has been one of those 'accidentally-on-purpose' 'leaks' from the Government designed to test or at least soften up public reaction.

I won't go into details, but given some things discussed at the meeting I was at yesterday I am confident this is not the case here.

[Stillwater]

Minister says there will be ongoing community consultation, which is as it should be.  The outcome may differ from the recommendations.

[James]

Regardless, reducing the number of zones is hardly a 'clanger'. I will admit that 8 is too much of a reduction (I'd be much happier with 12), but all this has done is allowed the ALP to see public reaction.

Emerson trumpeting out his usual weasel words. I think he'd get a lot more respect from everyone if he wasn't looking to score points every 2 minutes.

[verbatim9]

http://m.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-transport-leaked-report-reveals-public-transport-shakeup-20160204-gmlcyc.html

I knew the free trips would disappear, Time to buy a car 🚗

[ozbob]

The LNP and the former Transport Minister simply took the easy way out.  It is a very sad indictment on the Opposition that they put cheap political grandstanding ahead of doing the right thing for the community.  What little credibility they had is now in tatters.

[#Metro]

Disgusting. And should be called out.

Who instituted the 9-then-waste program, at a time when every dollar of revenue was better placed in more frequent services?

Hint: wasn't red team

[red dragin]

http://m.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-transport-leaked-report-reveals-public-transport-shakeup-20160204-gmlcyc.html

Even if they drop the 9 then free, as long as the total cost to me doesn't increase, we will stick by the train. Currently spend about $6000 per year for the two of us.

Using the car would drop it to about $3400 per year, but would add in the stress of dealing with Qld drivers in traffic each day.

[ozbob]

Sydney is modifying the 8 and free on the Opal.  Simply isn't sustainable and like the 9 and free here rorted.  A fare system needs to be equitable.  It clearly isn't at present.  Recommendations are only that.  They have go through Government and consultation.

The free after x journeys was a knee-jerk political response by the Bligh Government (after 10 journeys).  The LNP just carried it on for crass politics (after 9 journeys).  What will the LNP propose next?  Free after 8 ... lol 

At least it looks like we will get a fare system that is equitable and able to transform into the NGTS.

[verbatim9]

A weekend/Public Holiday cap is useful. As there is an incentive to use PT to go exploring on the weekends. Beach, Markets, Visiting friends, then going out in the evening. If there is no cap there is no incentive to travel longer distances with PT on weekends and Public Holidays.

[Stillwater]

Team Labor has provided a sensible way forward (the fare review taskforce) and sought an evidence-based way to progress this matter, away from the hairy-chested shenanigans that goes on during an election campaign.  They should be applauded for that.  As we can see from what is now happening in NSW, the free travel after so many paid rides rort was unsustainable.  In that respect, Queensland is a trend leader, NSW is following.

If a way can be found for people living some distance from the CBD to optimise off-peak discounts and maybe a sweetener for weekend travel or tourist excursion travel, the pain will be lessened and more people will be attracted to rail.  That must be a good thing.  Let's wait until the promised public consultation, because that will allow for fine-tuning.

By playing the politics card so crassly, Mr Emerson has dealt himself out of reasoned thinking around this important issue.  He just wants to add to the instability in politics for LNP gain, not act in the long-term interests of commuters, or the public.

[verbatim9]

Pay No more than $8-$10  from Noosa to Coolangatta on Weekends and Public Holidays

GO! as many times as you like Weekends and Public Holidays on Bus, Tram, Train and Ferry from Noosa to Coolangatta after paying up to 8 Dollars.

[Arnz]

Although it's unlikely, I'd like to put foward one suggestion - Reduce base fares to cheap everyday fares, and 50% off after 10 journeys in a week. 

Thus saving regular commuters up to 80% (30% off-peak + the 50% frequent users discount) if they wish to use PT on the weekends, that way some revenue still come into the farebox during the weekends and also reduces the urge to "rort" the system under the existing '9 and free' system so that people can ride free between Brisbane and Varsity Lakes/Nerang/Landsborough/Nambour at the end of the week/weekends. 

Some of the savings by ending the "x and free" cap (and reducing the base fares) can also be put into concession fares for those carrying Newstart Health Care Cards.

[verbatim9]

Although it's unlikely, I'd like to put foward one suggestion - Reduce base fares to cheap everyday fares, and 50% off after 10 journeys in a week. 

Thus saving regular commuters up to 80% (30% off-peak + the 50% frequent users discount)

Some of the savings by ending the "x and free" cap (and reducing the base fares) can also be put into concession fares for those carrying Newstart Health Care Cards.

That was the old system 50% off after 10 trips. Concession for Health Care Card Holders "Where is that election promise?"

[red dragin]

Free return journey on weekends perhaps?

[verbatim9]

Free return journey on weekends perhaps?

That's the same as pay no more than 8 bucks on anyday on weekends and public holidays. We need an incentive for weekends PH. Trains and busses almost run empty after 6 pm on a Sunday.

[Arnz]

Although it's unlikely, I'd like to put foward one suggestion - Reduce base fares to cheap everyday fares, and 50% off after 10 journeys in a week. 

Thus saving regular commuters up to 80% (30% off-peak + the 50% frequent users discount)

Some of the savings by ending the "x and free" cap (and reducing the base fares) can also be put into concession fares for those carrying Newstart Health Care Cards.

That was the old system 50% off after 10 trips. Concession for Health Care Card Holders "Where is that election promise?"

The old Bligh system was "10 and free", which was trumped by Newman's equally revenue wasting "9 and free" in 2012 while maintaining the expensive fare structure.

[ozbob]

It was early 6 journeys then 50% fares.  Changed to 10 journeys and 50% fares.  Then the 10 and free, followed by the 9 and free.

50% fares after 10 paid journeys is fine.  As it preserves the fare box and gives some scope for lower base fares.  Can still be rorted if you like but it really doesn't matter as there is still a fare box.

[ozbob]

I would just wait for the review now.

Despite Emerson's and others pathetic attempts to de-rail it, the review is proceeding.