SEQ Fare Review Taskforce

[ozbob]

How many times does it have to be stated?

The present go card system cannot do daily or weekly capping - fact.  This limits options significantly.

Please move past narrow self interest and accept that the present fare structure is not working and a more affordable, equitable and accessible fare structure is needed for all the community.  The KPI data confirms that.

The fare review panel are not fools (maybe one) and so I suggest you just wait for the final outcomes.

The Next Generation Ticketing system will be able to do all sorts of dynamic/flat caps whatever.

[BrizCommuter]

How many times does it have to be stated?

The present go card system cannot do daily or weekly capping - fact.  This limits options significantly.

Please move past narrow self interest and accept that the present fare structure is not working and a more affordable, equitable and accessible fare structure is needed for all the community.  The KPI data confirms that.

The fare review panel are not fools (maybe one) and so I suggest you just wait for the final outcomes.

The Next Generation Ticketing system will be able to do all sorts of dynamic/flat caps whatever.

I'm well aware of the limitations. However I fail to see why upgrading the current system with the required functionality doesn't seem to be on the table.

BrizCommuter is trying to represent heavy public transport users in opinions,  not just his own needs!

[ozbob]

How many times does it have to be stated?

The present go card system cannot do daily or weekly capping - fact.  This limits options significantly.

Please move past narrow self interest and accept that the present fare structure is not working and a more affordable, equitable and accessible fare structure is needed for all the community.  The KPI data confirms that.

The fare review panel are not fools (maybe one) and so I suggest you just wait for the final outcomes.

The Next Generation Ticketing system will be able to do all sorts of dynamic/flat caps whatever.

I'm well aware of the limitations. However I fail to see why upgrading the current system with the required functionality doesn't seem to be on the table.

BrizCommuter is trying to represent heavy public transport users in opinions,  not just his own needs!

The cost of doing it is prohibitive, particularly as NGT transition has begun.  Related to the fact it is not an account based system.  Opal and Oyster are account based systems for example. 

Just have to be patient.

[Derwan]

When the government (finally) announces the proposed new fare structure, they would do well to offer a bit of a roadmap into the future.  I.e. This is what will happen now.... and this is what will happen once the NGT system is in place.

For example, they might say that the 9-and-free will be replaced with 10-and-50% now... but when the NGT system is in place, it will change to a weekly cap based on the number of zones travelled.  Even if they say it's "proposed" at this stage.

I know that one reason for the delay in the announcement was to see how it would fit in with NGT.  I really hope to see the plans for both.

[nathandavid88]

As good an idea as that would be, I can't say I hold much hope for the Government showing that sort of foresight...

[#Metro]

New fare structure is not enough.

We are in this situation because many years ago some politicians decided that they wanted a cheap vote and thus went on a pre-election indulgence.

It has taken years to scrub away.

What concrete changes are going to be made to the fare-resetting protocol to prevent this happening again?

[SurfRail]

I think the only practical way would be for TransLink to have more control of its own fare system.  That would involve Cabinet agreeing to surrender some of its power.  Not sure how this is going to work.

[ozbob]

FYI the ongoing fare governance was considered by the FRT and some suggestions were put forward.

It is recognised knee-jerk polyticks does not work and it was how we got into this right royal fare mess for SEQ.  Q-connect is fine, was not meddled with by polyticks.

Things are going to  improve from here.

[ozbob]

Big changes coming to public transport fares. What would you like to see done? @MichelleRattray #7News #qldtraffic https://t.co/BMfmObHg0h

— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) June 9, 2016

[ozbob]

Thanks to FF for doing an interview with Ben Davis on 4BC Brisbane Live this afternoon on the fare review, and also 7 News earlier today.

[#Metro]

I haven't seen the details of the fare review, but it sounds very promising.

Congrats to everybody. Erasing the 9-then waste rort is a very big achievement.

[ozbob]

I haven't seen the details of the fare review, but it sounds very promising.

Congrats to everybody. Erasing the 9-then waste rort is a very big achievement.

Thanks LD.  It was crappy polyticks first by the Bligh Govt, then worsened by the Newman Govt, that compounded the SEQ fare failure.

It takes political courage to do the right thing from here. 

[ozbob]

The fare fail - a blast from the past

> http://railbotforum.org/bb/index.php?post/2014/06/12/The-fare-fail-a-blast-from-the-past

[BrizCommuter]

So is the announcement going to be a media circus, or a "keep it quiet on another big new story day"?

[Stillwater]

Probably linked to the Budget ... maybe Sunday announcement: exclusive to Sunday Mail, follow-up on evening news.  OR if bad news in the Budget, beat this up to drown out the noise of protests.  Story will have a two-day life in 24/7 news cycle.

[ozbob]

It is part of the overall budget process so will not be too far away now.

[Otto]

Kids to travel free on weekends under public transport overhaul

EXCLUSIVE:, The Sunday Mail (Qld)

CHILDREN under 14 will be given free weekend fares in southeast Queensland under the Palaszczuk Government's long-awaited review of public transport.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/kids-to-travel-free-on-weekends-under-public-transport-overhaul/news-story/17dc85939ce5b4877db0915b5b8bc98c

[aldonius]

Why 14? How is that an age of any significance?

[ozbob]

Sunday Mail --> Kids to travel free on weekends under public transport overhaul

CHILDREN under 14 will be given free weekend fares in southeast Queensland under the Palaszczuk Government's long-awaited review of public transport.

The Sunday Mail can also reveal travel incentives for pensioners and seniors will be retained, despite a controversial recommendation by a review taskforce to dump them.

The number of zones across the public transport network will be reduced from 23 to eight, benefiting commuters who travel shorter distances.

Ahead of Tuesday's state Budget, it can also be confirmed that regional Queensland fares will not rise.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told The Sunday Mail the Government wanted to make the system fairer and boost patronage.

"This has been a comprehensive review. This will be simpler and fairer public transport," she said.

The new fare and zone structure begins in early 2017. However, the freeze on public transport fares introduced by the Government while the experts undertook the review will be extended from July 1 to the end of the year.

Under the new system, children up to and including 14 years of age will be able to tap on and off on weekends using a Child Go Card with no fare deducted from the account.

Seniors and pensioners who are frequent commuters currently receive free travel for the remainder of the day after two paid journeys, as well as a 50 per cent discount on fares.

These incentives and discounts will be retained.

However, the Government will wind back the popular "nine and free" system, which was introduced by its predecessor and enabled commuters to receive free travel for the remainder of the week after making nine paid trips.

Under the new scheme, travel for the remainder of the week will be discounted by 50 per cent after passengers have made eight trips.

Further measures, including pricing across the zones, will be announced today.

Meanwhile, a major overhaul of transport systems is being urged to boost tourism in the Sunshine State, which has fallen behind southern states in terms of visitor numbers.

A report by peak industry group the Tourism and Transport Forum says the Government should subsidise fares and increase the frequency of the private Airtrain service to and from Brisbane Airport to increase patronage – and take it over to merge with the suburban network when the current contract expires in 2036.

The group also recommends exploring private franchising of the Brisbane City Council-owned Brisbane Transport bus network, saying it could produce cost savings of 20-55 per cent.

It wants more rail services between Brisbane and the Gold Coast to link with light rail for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, saying the 80km trip to Surfers Paradise can take up to two hours.

TTF chief executive Margy Osmond said the connection between transport and tourism was critical, and good, cheap public transport was the main factor for young travellers when choosing destinations.

"In the past year, we've seen Queensland slip from second to third place in the number of international visitors coming to each state. Queensland should have the ambition to arrest this slide,'' she said.

TTF is urging the fast-tracking of new cruise facilities for Brisbane and a stopover liner terminal for the Gold Coast, as well as ferry services from the CBD to the new Toondah Harbour development in Redlands to connect to North Stradbroke and Moreton islands.

The Palaszczuk Government is developing an integrated tourism and transport strategy for release this year.

A $163 million duplication of the rail line between Coomera and Helensvale will increase peak-hour services.

[ozbob]

Why 14? How is that an age of any significance?

Because that how it is in Queensland

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

http://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/concessions/children

Travel on the TransLink network is free for children aged 4 years and under.

Children aged 5 to 14 years (inclusive) are eligible for a concession fare. 

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

Other initiatives are in place for children 15 and older.

[ozbob]

Ok Summary what we know so far:

Zones 23 > 8  Zone  - details pricing to be announced later today.

Nine and free > 8 and 50% fares.

Children 5-14 years travel free weekends on concession go card.

Seniors 2 journey daily cap continues (not optimal but it is all that can be done, it was hoped something better could have been achieved, very few Seniors actually go above the two journey daily limit - which sort of confirms the inequity of it).

These are very significant changes.  Will have great benefit for local travel and will make journeys on the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and other regions much more equitable.  No longer will a journey that tracks north to south through multiple zones cost more for the same equivalent journey east <> west.

These are the biggest fare structure changes since the introduction of integrated ticketing in 2004.

Implementation early 2017.

[ozbob]

"  The group also recommends exploring private franchising of the Brisbane City Council-owned Brisbane Transport bus network, saying it could produce cost savings of 20-55 per cent. "

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/kids-to-travel-free-on-weekends-under-public-transport-overhaul/news-story/17dc85939ce5b4877db0915b5b8bc98c

Oh dear ... network reform might help?  Who needs to waste billions on a toy metro??

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

12th June 2016

SEQ fare reform is finally happening!

Greetings,

At long last, details of the SEQ Fare Review are being made public today (Sunday Mail --> Kids to travel free on weekends under public transport overhaul).

The fare structure for SEQ is a mess and needs radical improvement.  The former Bligh Government got it wrong, and the former Newman Government continued the path to mediocrity and fare failure.

It is to the Palaszczuk Government's credit that they have moved to sort the failed fare structure for SEQ.

The LNP when in government took the easy lazy option of just a simple fare cut, which did nothing for fixing the failure as confirmed in the TransLink Performance Data.

A proper fare review and reform process is exactly what is needed and is now to happen. Hallelujah!

It is hoped that today's LNP Leadership will realise 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

[#Metro]

"  The group also recommends exploring private franchising of the Brisbane City Council-owned Brisbane Transport bus network, saying it could produce cost savings of 20-55 per cent. "

I would be careful. There isn't just one way to run BT privately.

My understanding of a franchise is that the operator gets to keep most of the fare revenue for itself. I see that as a no-no.

I am much more open to the current fee-for-service contract where gov't is the customer and the operator is paid for the km of service they run. All revenue goes to TransLink.

[BrizCommuter]

Any concession fares for the unemployed?

[ozbob]

Any concession fares for the unemployed?

AFAIA yes, to be confirmed.

[ozbob]

Any concession fares for the unemployed?

AFAIA yes, to be confirmed.

Confirmed.   

[James]

Very good to see this finally came through. My main point of concern is the reduction in zones from 8 to 23... I think down to 12 would be a better solution. But we'll see what they come out with. Could end up being a net positive if done right.

[ozbob]

I think you will be very happy with the outcomes James.

Onwards!!

Full details will be announced later this morning. 

[kram0]

I think you will be very happy with the outcomes James.

Onwards!!

Full details will be announced later this morning. 

Are you aware of the new structure Bob, but are unable to comment until it's officially released by government?

[ozbob]

Well being a member of the Fare Review Taskforce I am aware of the Taskforce's recommendations and am restricted in public comment at this point in time.

The Government's response will be made public later this morning.

Patience ...   

[kram0]

Well being a member of the Fare Review Taskforce I am aware of the Taskforce's recommendations and am restricted in public comment at this point in time.

The Government's response will be made public later this morning.

Patience ...   

You seem happy with the outcome, which is a good sign.

[ozbob]

#Brisbane CityCat with @StirlHinchliffe on our way to announce #FairerFares pic.twitter.com/efvInCjlMZ

— AnnastaciaPalaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) June 11, 2016

[BrizCommuter]

Until the zone borders and actual fares are announced it is difficult to comment.
BrizCommuter will do a few fare comparisons for some sample user groups in the first article once more information is released.

[red dragin]

Why 14? How is that an age of any significance?

15 year olds can work and are less likely to hang out with their family on weekends.

Kids travel free on weekends is the "family ticket" equivalent in my eyes.

[ozbob]

Fare review has now gone live ..

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

[ozbob]

SEQ Fare Review - Queensland Government Response

>> https://haveyoursay.translink.com.au/seq-fare-review

[ozbob]

This is an excellent outcome.   Overdue but very welcome.

[ozbob]

Proposed fares ..



Diagramatic map of new 8 zones

>> https://haveyoursay.translink.com.au/SEQ-Fare-Review/documents/37380/download

[pangwen]

Until the zone borders and actual fares are announced it is difficult to comment.
BrizCommuter will do a few fare comparisons for some sample user groups in the first article once more information is released.

Looks like the zone borders, actual fares and sample user groups have been released. You sure you're not secretly on the Fare Review taskforce? 

EDIT: The PDF indicates that the new zones are amalgamations of the old ones, so the boundaries are still the same. Does this mean that the rail / bus quirks will remain in the short-medium term (as per http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9290.0)? I realise that there will be fewer of these now due to the reduction in zones.

Some of the ones that look like they'll remain will be:
- Chelmer/Graceville (should be in new zone 2, but may remain in new zone 1 or boundary 1/2)
- Nundah/Northgate (should be in new zone 2, but may remain in new zone 1 or boundary 1/2)
- Gaythorne (should be in new zone 2, but may remain in new zone 1 or boundary 1/2)