SEQ Fare Review Taskforce

[ozbob]

April 2016 TransLink Performance Snapshot data is now available

>> https://publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/translink-public-transport-performance-snapshots/resource/8a7b899a-036f-4486-9063-1e0bc0bcb559

' Affordability ' KPI remains the standout failure

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

30th May 2016

April 2016 TransLink Performance Snapshot data - fares remain unaffordable for many ..

Greetings

April 2016 TransLink Performance Snapshot data is now available

>> https://publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/translink-public-transport-performance-snapshots/resource/8a7b899a-036f-4486-9063-1e0bc0bcb559

' Affordability ' KPI remains the standout failure





Best wishes
Robert

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

[ozbob]

You have to laugh hey?  Month after month same results, ignored by most of the George St push ...

Day of reckoning is coming ...

[SurfRail]

Again, why do they keep not publishing statistics for tram?

If anything, it would be a ray of sunshine for them.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Queensland to scrap free Go Card trips

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

7th June 2016

Nine and free on the go card to be scrapped

Greetings,

RAIL Back On Track members have long been concerned with the inequitable high cost fare structure for SEQ. It was with much relief to the community and RAIL Back On Track members that the Palaszczuk Government put in place a long overdue fare review ( http://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/fares/fare-review-ToR ).

The first step in sorting out the fare structure is to get rid of the free travel after 9 paid journeys (Monday to Sunday week). This was introduced by the Newman Government after the Bligh Government introduced free travel after 10 paid journeys. It has not improved fare affordability or significantly increased patronage.

Only about 15% of active go card users reach the free travel threshold. Also there is considerable manipulation by some go card users to rapidly reach the free travel threshold, in some cases on Mondays! The early free riders cost $27,000 weekly, or around one million dollars yearly.

If we are to have an equitable and affordable fare structure, it is essential that this fare-box leak be fixed. Overall cost since the introduction of 9 and free has been in the order of $110 million.

Sydney's Opal card has had a similar fare structure in part - free travel after 8 paid journeys in a week. From 5 Sep 2016 this is being replaced with 50% fares after 8 paid journeys, similar to what is planned for the go card.

It is no coincidence that both the Opal and Go card are to be changed. Both are very flawed fare structures - but making fares fair for all a much more equitable fare structure overall can be achieved in SEQ. For example zones could be rationalised, off peak fare discounts could be increased, base fare costs lowered, additional ticket products can be considered.

We need a sustainable fare box to support accessible services for all. This a great move and sets up the fare reform path clearly.

Best wishes,

Robert

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

1. Brisbanetimes --> Queensland to scrap free Go Card trips
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/free-go-card-trips-to-be-scrapped-in-budget-20160606-gpcyzy.html

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

7th June 2016

Hoorah! 'Nine Then Waste' To Be SCRAPPED!

Greetings,

RAIL Back on Track welcomes the announcement to scrap the 9-then waste scheme brought in by the LNP. Praise be! This is a win for our members, transport users and the ripped-off taxpaying public in general.

This 9-then waste was an expensive political stunt brought in to win an election. It had nothing to do with improving service quality or patronage. All it did was burn a hole in TransLink's budget and subsidise people who would be paying for their trip anyway. It encouraged a culture of rorting - people took nonsense trips just to game the system.

What a disaster it was! We are glad that it will be abolished. The LNP should hang their heads in shame for the damaging policies they inflicted on the people of Queensland. They leave behind a massive trail of destruction: failed bus reforms, failed fare policies, and failure on Cross River Rail / BaT tunnel. Add to that list the Moreton Bay Rail link signalling mess.

We have some stiff advice for any political party intending on holding office for more than 3 short years. Get policy advisors who are really on the ball and in touch,  and adopt policies that have actual substance and durability to benefit the entire community.

A proper legislated process for changing the fare levels for South East Queensland must be introduced. We cannot have the public transport system used as pre-election votebait by lazy discounting or freebies that in the long term put the financial viability of the network at risk.

Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

Free Go Card trips to be scrapped in Budget
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/free-go-card-trips-to-be-scrapped-in-budget-20160606-gpcyzy.html

Nine and free on the go card to be scrapped
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11614.msg175149#msg175149

[Derwan]

Will the change be made as part of the overall fare reform - or will the 9-and-free be scrapped independently of the reform?  I'm hoping it's the former!  Scrapping 9-and-free without the rest of the fare reform would be crazy!

[verbatim9]

Weekend patronage will drop I reckon if fare reform is not in place prior to scrapping 9 and free

[ozbob]

Will the change be made as part of the overall fare reform - or will the 9-and-free be scrapped independently of the reform?  I'm hoping it's the former!  Scrapping 9-and-free without the rest of the fare reform would be crazy!

Yes part of the overall fare reform, there are multiple elements of the new fare structure proposal to be revealed. 

[ozbob]

Weekend patronage will drop I reckon if fare reform is not in place prior to scrapping 9 and free

Not really.  We don't know yet what the off peak discount will be and what the base fares will be.  9 and free is not working and it is great it is to be scrapped, it then allows for a proper reform process. 

Suggest everyone wait for the rest of the details before getting too hysterical ...

[Stillwater]

Announcement soon?  I take it will be a Budget announcement, next week?

[Derwan]

Suggest everyone wait for the rest of the details before getting too hysterical ...

This is the issue.  BT announces one element of fare reform in true media-frenzy style.  People are jumping to the conclusion that the 9-and-free will be scrapped without any other measures put in place.  (Just look at the comments on BT.)  It's almost as bad as Scott Emerson's selective release of fare reform proposal details.

Everyone needs to chill and wait for the entire proposal to be made public. Of course it would help if the government didn't sit on it for so long!

[Stillwater]

Is it possible to put up here the interview Robert Dow had with ABC radio this morning?

[ozbob]

Is it possible to put up here the interview Robert Dow had with ABC radio this morning?

I did not do the interview.  FF did.  Depends if made available on the 612 web site.

[Stillwater]

  Just heard there was an interview, lol.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

7th June 2016

Seniors two paid journey daily go card cap

RAIL Back On Track supports the Council of the Ageing (COTA) Queensland in their call for retention of the two paid journey daily cap for Seniors.

Although not ideal, a simple daily flat capped fare would be more equitable, however the present go card system is not able to deliver that option.

This is the fundamental reason why the two paid journey daily cap for Seniors was originally introduced.  As SEQ transitions to a new fare structure the retention of the present arrangements for Seniors will continue to support their relative affordable mobility by public transport.

In time, when the Next Generation Ticketing system is introduced (hopefully around 2019), better fare options including daily flat capping will be available.

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Twitter

COTA Queensland ‏@COTAQld 47s

Seniors 1,2 and Free - Retaining this travel benefit is welcomed. http://ow.ly/1ZMK300Zndk  @AnnastaciaMP #qldpol

[Fares_Fair]

Is it possible to put up here the interview Robert Dow had with ABC radio this morning?

I did not do the interview.  FF did.  Depends if made available on the 612 web site.

On behalf of ozbob, I talked to Steve Austin from 612 ABC Brisbane radio about the 9 then free scrapping.
I was able to put forward RBoT's views about off peak fares going from current 20% to our preferred 30%, a fairer 'base fare' for all, the planned reduction of zones from 23 down to 9 and that the 9 then free benefitted only 15.7% of all commuters.
The only point of contention raised was the promised consultation made by Hon Jackie Trad.
If the 9 then free is scrapped, then where was the consultation. He made a valid point.
On behalf of Robert, and myself, thank you Steve for the opportunity to talk public transport.

Immediately after that I talked to Robert Blackmore and Annie Gaffney from 90.3 ABC Sunshine Coast, right after the 9am news, about the scrapping of the 9 then free. We need to await the outcome of the fare review to see what the impacts upon distance commuters will be. I suggested that locally the fares should be aligned to the available levels of service.
I also said that due to its introduction way back in 2008, the Go card was one of the 'dumbest smart-cards' available due to its inability to handle weekly, monthly, annual etc. discounted fares.
My thanks go to Robert Blackmore and Annie Gaffney for the opportunity to talk public transport.

[tazzer9]

http://www.smh.com.au/video/video-news/video-national-news/will-the-opal-card-changes-affect-you-20160518-4f6nl

The key difference between NSW getting rid of the 8 then free compared to QLD getting rid of our 9 then free is summed up by the last gentlemen in the vid.
Catches PT once a week from newcastle to lilyfield. Costs him only $2.50 (two modes, approx 160km). 

We shouldn't be doing anything that will make PT more expensive until proper fare reform and fare reductions come in.   

[ozbob]

http://www.smh.com.au/video/video-news/video-national-news/will-the-opal-card-changes-affect-you-20160518-4f6nl

The key difference between NSW getting rid of the 8 then free compared to QLD getting rid of our 9 then free is summed up by the last gentlemen in the vid.
Catches PT once a week from newcastle to lilyfield. Costs him only $2.50 (two modes, approx 160km). 

We shouldn't be doing anything that will make PT more expensive until proper fare reform and fare reductions come in.

That is a capped Senior fare, something not achievable on our system at present.

The 8 and free in Sydney Opal is burning around $150 million a year.  Sydney like Brisbane, is growing up and facing reality.  Sustainable transport systems need a sustainable fare base.

The removal of the 9 and free on the SEQ botched fare structure is not going to be done in isolation.  It is part of a larger suite of changes to fix up the overall fare structure, address the inequitable nature of the fare structure and make fares more affordable for all, not just rorters.

It has taken a massive effort to get to this point.  Support for the fare review process rather than petty criticism is what is needed now.

The Government has obviously launched a political strategy and the release of the review is near is my guess.

[BrizCommuter]

Looks like BrizCommuter will be going back to driving at weekends!

[verbatim9]

I would love capped weekends and public holidays, but doesnt look like we are going to get those fare types anytime soon?

[ozbob]

I would love capped weekends and public holidays, but doesn't look like we are going to get those fare types anytime soon?

Nope. Present go card system not able to do it.  This restricts significantly what can be done.

Option for NGT system c. 2019 if we are lucky.

[Gazza]

Looks like BrizCommuter will be going back to driving at weekends!

Let's be honest if the only reason someone is using public transit on weekends because it's free the problem is not the fees.

[tazzer9]

No, For nearly a year I made use of the free stuff on weekends, I didn't abuse the system, i just happen to have gotten the 9 during the week.  It being free was worth it.
Why would I choose to use PT on the weekends when it's cheaper to park, even in the CBD.  Sometimes I can even make use of my fathers free parking spot under a massive office tower. 
Why would I choose PT if i can drive for less and it take half the time.
Why would I choose PT when buses simply don't show up. 

The problems lie much further than just the fares, but it something is free, people may use it regardless of how bad it is.

[Gazza]

Theron lies the problem.

If public transport on weekends is only being used by people who:
-Only care that it is free.
-Captive users.

Then you'll never see weekend services provided beyond  the basic community service obligation level.

[techblitz]

as an example......a 7day per week part-time/casual worker's fare would need to come down from 4.40 to 2.80 to see the same benefit
(14 trips instead of 9).....so a 35% price drop needed....and that's going on CURRENT prices.........the idea is to reduce them to encourage further patronage....

[ozbob]

Once the 9 and free is chopped, I expect patronage on weekends will climb.   The largely excluded majority will be able to access a much more equitable fare structure overall.  Anyone who wants to travel by car because they now have to pay a fare for a service delivered on weekends at some cost can.  Your choice.  About time this fiasco was turned around ...

[ozbob]

Theron lies the problem.

If public transport on weekends is only being used by people who:
-Only care that it is free.
-Captive users.

Then you'll never see weekend services provided beyond  the basic community service obligation level.

Indeed Gazza.  Costs more to deliver services on weekends than during normal hours.  A fair fare is very reasonable and might actually help drive some service improvements.  The snapshot data clearly shows the present fare structure is a stand out failure wrt affordability.  More of the same for an ' elite ' or an equitable fare structure for all?  No brainer stuff in the end.

[#Metro]

Once the 9 and free is chopped, I expect patronage on weekends will climb.   The largely excluded majority will be able to access a much more equitable fare structure overall.  Anyone who wants to travel by car because they now have to pay a fare for a service delivered on weekends at some cost can.  Your choice.  About time this fiasco was turned around ...

On a side note, it seems that there would be a large number of people that qualify for the discount but don't use it.

[ozbob]

Once the 9 and free is chopped, I expect patronage on weekends will climb.   The largely excluded majority will be able to access a much more equitable fare structure overall.  Anyone who wants to travel by car because they now have to pay a fare for a service delivered on weekends at some cost can.  Your choice.  About time this fiasco was turned around ...

On a side note, it seems that there would be a large number of people that qualify for the discount but don't use it.

Yope!  The more the reason for an improved fare structure that benefits the vast majority of the community.

Most of the ' free ' trips are simply Friday PM peak journeys home .. hey ho ...

[verbatim9]

They could leave Fares and Zones as they are. Offer 30% if touched on prior to 7am Mon-Fri  Peak 7am - 8.30am offpeak 30% off until 3.30pm then peak until 6.30pm. Offpeak until 7am the next morning. Sat 50% off, Sun 60% as well as Public Holidays.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Public transport fare zones set for shake-up

THE number of public transport fare zones could be reduced from 23 to as few as 8 but with inequities removed to ensure commuters are not unfairly slugged, under a proposal the State Government is likely to adopt.

The Courier-Mail understands the Palaszczuk Government is days away from announcing its response to a review of public transport fares it commissioned last year.

The review had recommended the number of zones be slashed, but its initial plan would have seen some passengers slugged more.

It is understood the Government is likely to forge ahead with slashing the number of fare zones but in a way that will not create the same inequities.

The base fare could also be lowered after the Government confirmed it would scrap a scheme that granted travellers free travel after nine journeys.

There had been concern that some commuters had aggressively taken advantage of the scheme, while others ended up with higher fares.

Public transport advocate Robert Dow applauded the scrapping of the nine-and-free scheme.

"Only about 15 or 16 per cent of active Go Card users actually reach the free journey threshold," he said. "So what it's doing is it's keeping fares fairly high upfront."

The fare review was leaked by the Opposition earlier this year, which accused the Government of keeping it "secret".

The Council on the Ageing Queensland has warned Labor against scrapping the "one, two, free for seniors and pensioners" scheme. "Retaining this travel benefit would be welcomed, particularly by pensioners," COTA chief executive Mark Tucker-Evans said.

A spokeswoman for Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said assisting seniors was a "priority".

[ozbob]

Redland City Bulletin --> Cleveland MP slams scrapping Go Card freebies

CLEVELAND MP Mark Robinson has slammed plans by the state government to scrap the Go card policy which allows free travel after nine journeys in a week.

Mr Robinson said there was also evidence the government had secret plans to change TransLink zones, so commuters from hubs such as Carindale, Chermside and Jindalee would pay $250 more each year.

Mr Robinson backed calls from Shadow Transport Minister Andrew Powell to Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe to release the rest of the "secret fare" plan.

He was referring to a statewide Fare Review due to be released this month.

"Passengers deserve to know what other measures Labor will introduce that will drive up bus and train fares," he said.

"Minister Hinchliffe is making false savings claims ahead of the budget to justify axing the policy – these trips wouldn't have been taken in the first place without '9 and free'."

But both claims were countered by transport expert Rail Back on Track's Robert Dow, who said it was impossible to calculate how much more commuters would be paying as the details of the Fare Review were yet to be released.

Mr Dow, who was on the Fare Review committee, said changes to the nine-journey discount were common knowledge and added that the package was more than likely to benefit commuters.

"We don't know the final details of the package but at the moment only about 15 per cent of commuters can take advantage of the Go card nine journeys policy," he said.

"The scheme was easily manipulated and scrapping it may actually result in a better and more equitable fare structure."

The Bligh government first offered 10-trips and then free travel in 2012, before the LNP scaled that back to nine.

Mr Robinson said scrapping the latest policy would will hurt Redland commuters, who are part of the 80,000 people using public transport each week.

"Higher costs for public transport will put Redland commuters back in cars and clogging our roads," he said.

"Now under Labor we will see costs rise for commuters as patronage goes into freefall."

He said commuters should not be used as cash cows to plug budget black holes and said under Labor there were 15 per cent fare increases, trains running late and free-falling patronage.

[Stillwater]

Secret plans?  Has the Opposition been away on Mars since the state election?  This process has been pretty well publicised.

[ozbob]

Be nice if for once the LNP could put the community first before hysterical politics?

The fare structure is flawed and needs to be fixed for the community's benefit.

Sent to all outlets:

10th May 2016

Call for bi-partisan support for SEQ Fare Review

Greetings,

We congratulate Mr Andrew Powell on this appointment as Shadow Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Shadow Minister for Local Government.

We thank Mr Scott Emerson for his efforts in Transport.

An important step for SEQ is to sort out the failed TransLink fare structure for SEQ.  The LNP when in government took the easy option of a simple fare cut, which did nothing for fixing the failure as confirmed in the TransLink Performance Data. A proper fare review process is now underway.

It is hoped that the recent LNP Leadership  events might lead to the realisation that simply opposing proper SEQ fare reform is not in the community's best interests at all.

Shadow Ministers need to properly understand the real ramifications of petty opposition to a sound evidence based reform process.

Will the LNP heed the lessons of history, or continue to blunder along, hysterically screaming?

Best wishes
Robert

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

[techblitz]

the current system is definitely skewed towards frequent travellers.....and with the explosion of inner city bus/train services and t.o.d apartments there has been a marked increase in what I would call "multi-hoppers" who are easily racking up 4-8 trips in a day....count the gold coast in that lot with the 700/light rail....

A couple of my gocard days from my gcard history (note) NOT under free travel and non-rort(work purposes)

Small zone multi-hop....

11 May 2016 
03:11 PM  'Rocklea South' Marshall Road  03:41 PM  Inala Bus Station - Platform 'B'  $ 3.14     $ 31.57 
03:58 PM  Inala Bus Station - Platform 'C'  04:19 PM  Monier Rd Shopping Village - 57  $ 0.00     $ 31.57 
05:43 PM  Monier Rd Shopping Village - 57  05:47 PM  Darra Station  $ 3.35     $ 28.22 
05:48 PM  Darra  05:57 PM  Richlands  $ 0.00     $ 28.22 
06:21 PM  Pine Rd at Lions  06:29 PM  Inala Bus Station - Platform 'D'  $ 0.58     $ 27.64 
06:50 PM  Inala Bus Station - Platform 'B'  07:09 PM  'Archerfield North' Beatty Road  $ 0.00     $ 27.64

so 6 trips = 7.07 = average of 1.17 per trip .
under a theoretical base fare of 1.50 = total cost of 9.00
So the base fare would need to be lowered to compete with the current system(along with no distance charge)



the interesting one......a long distance multi-hop

02 Jun 2016 
08:56 AM  Salisbury  10:51 AM  Landsborough  $ 8.96     $ 29.06 
10:56 AM  Landsborough station  11:24 AM  Caloundra station  $ 1.51     $ 27.55 
11:25 AM  Caloundra station  11:38 AM  Buderim St at Currimundi Hotel  $ 0.00     $ 27.55 
11:51 AM  Buderim St at Currimundi Hotel  12:01 PM  Caloundra station  $ 0.00     $ 27.55 
01:27 PM  Caloundra station  01:57 PM  Landsborough station  $ 3.72     $ 23.83 
01:57 PM  Landsborough  02:06 PM  Cancel Touch On $ 0.00     $ 23.83 
02:06 PM  Landsborough  03:00 PM  Petrie  $ 4.07     $ 19.76 
03:01 PM  Petrie  03:01 PM  Cancel Touch On $ 0.00     $ 19.76 
03:05 PM  Petrie station stop B  03:13 PM  Anzac Ave at Pine Rivers RSL Services  $ 0.00     $ 19.76 
04:11 PM  Anzac Ave at Pine Rivers RSL Services  04:49 PM  'Chermside - Platform F' (Hamilton Road)  $ 1.01     $ 18.75 
04:52 PM  'Chermside (Hamilton Road)' Hamilton Road  05:14 PM  O'Keefe Street  $ 4.66     $ 14.09 
05:20 PM  'P.A. Hospital' - 14  05:26 PM  'Annerley Junction' - 22  $ 0.00     $ 14.09 
07:26 PM  'Annerley Junction' - 22  07:36 PM  'Rocklea South' Marshall Road  $ 3.72     $ 10.37 

total trips: 11 total cost: 27.65= 2.51 per trip
theoretical base fare of 1.50 = 16.50
Difference = 11.15

SO......to beat the current system/fare structure.....the distance charge cannot be more than 1.10 per trip....not so easy is it?

while no regular commuter does this sort of hopping around the translink region...... it still highlights the flexibility of the current system & being able to ditch the car and do multiple trips....

This is all about the base fares....not the 9 then free....
Good luck with it mr hinchcliffe...seriously....

[ozbob]

TransLink have very exact data on travel patterns.  For once we will get a fare structure based on reality.

[BrizCommuter]

as an example......a 7day per week part-time/casual worker's fare would need to come down from 4.40 to 2.80 to see the same benefit
(14 trips instead of 9).....so a 35% price drop needed....and that's going on CURRENT prices.........the idea is to reduce them to encourage further patronage....

+1
Unless there is a bloody big fare cut (including peaks) for zones 1 and 2 then the removal of 9 then free will increase fares for those who are doing the right thing by using public transport as much as possible.

I also cannot see weekend patronage increasing unless there is a huge fare reduction.

The failure to provide daily and weekly zone based capping is a disaster and it looks like the fare review is akin to rearranging the deck chairs on the titanic.