Seniors Week - Seniors travel free this weekend! 22-23 Aug 2015

[ozbob]

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/56076/details

Seniors Week - Seniors travel free this weekend!

Last updated: 12.01pm Wednesday 19 August 2015

It's Seniors Week! We're celebrating with free travel for seniors on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August.

There'll be no need to use your go card or to buy a ticket, simply show your Seniors Card to staff to travel free!

Free travel applies from the first service on Saturday to the last service on Sunday on all TransLink buses, trains, ferries and trams.

Use the journey planner to find out which scheduled services travel to the many different Seniors Week events and activities throughout Queensland.

For more information call 13 12 30 anytime.

[ozbob]

A welcome move.  Thank you ...

(Declaration of interest:  I have a Seniors go card < you old fella you ..  )

What time does the GympieLander leave? .. lol

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2015/8/20/palaszczuk-government-on-board-with-free-travel-for-seniors-week

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

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Palaszczuk Government on board with free travel for Seniors Week

Seniors will ride free on all Translink and qconnect services across Queensland this weekend to celebrate Seniors Week.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport Jackie Trad said seniors will be able to travel free on public transport from the first service on Saturday, 22 August until the last service on Sunday, 23 August.

"To recognise the contribution of older people to our communities, Seniors Card holders will be eligible to travel for free on public transport across the state this weekend," Ms Trad said.

"The theme of this year's Seniors Week is, 'It's on for young and old' and what better way to connect seniors with loved ones than through public transport.

"Seniors travelling on public transport in South East Queensland won't need to touch on or off with their go card on TransLink buses, trains, ferries and trams, instead they will simply need to show their Seniors Card to ride free.

"Seniors travelling in regional Queensland only need to show their Seniors Card to bus drivers to travel free on qconnect services.

"From dance classes to film screenings, hundreds of activities specifically designed for seniors are being held across Queensland during the 10 day Seniors Week celebration, and we encourage seniors to use public transport to get to and from the events.

"For many seniors, public transport symbolises independence and the Palaszczuk Government is committed to empowering older Queenslanders and ensuring they have access to safe and reliable public transport services across the state.

"For seniors that don't use public transport regularly, this announcement is an opportunity for them to use Queensland's public transport network for free and see what it has to offer.

"Seniors are an important group in our community and I'm pleased we can offer free weekend travel to celebrate their contribution to our state."

To find out more about Seniors Week events and activities visit www.cotaqld.org.au (external site) or phone COTA Queensland on 1300 738 348.

For information about public transport in South East Queensland and Cairns, visit the TransLink website at translink.com.au, or phone our 24/7 call centre on 13 12 30 anytime.

For more information about public transport on qconnect urban bus services, visit www.qconnect.qld.gov.au, or contact your local bus operator.

[ozbob]

Lessons learned?   ..

From the ' archives ' ...

Media Release 15 August 2010

SEQ:  Seniors week a missed go opportunity

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has said the Seniors week would have been a good time to introduce some public transport initiatives for Seniors to facilitate community participation and activity by older people.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"You wouldn't know it but 14th to 22nd August 2010 is Seniors week (1).  Seniors are reeling from the price impacts of go card travel.  Unable to afford the 40% increase in paper fares many have resorted to using the go card.  A failure to have a capped fare for the go card as for other states has meant that many Seniors have now had to restrict public transport use and their community participation (2)."

"One of the aims of Seniors week is to increase community participation. To achieve this a Seniors capped fare on the red go card is needed.  This would actually return savings as health and well being is improved, as Seniors are then able to get out and about more often and would assist volunteers in their duties."

"It does appear that Seniors Week is another wasted opportunity."

References:

1. http://www.communityservices.qld.gov.au/seniors/events/seniorsweek/about/

2. 17 Feb 2010: SEQ: Time for a Go card Seniors Excursion Fare  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3447.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

 

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

21st August 2015

Free Seniors Travel 22 - 23 August 2015

Greetings,

Thanks to the Palaszczuk Government, TransLink, and Transport and Main Roads for the free travel for Seniors this coming weekend.

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2015/8/20/palaszczuk-government-on-board-with-free-travel-for-seniors-week

This is no doubt very welcome for Seniors, and will assist in allowing Seniors to get out and participate in Seniors Week activities over the weekend.

It has been a long time coming as this media release from 2010 demonstrates (below)

We are delighted that Q-connect is also included in this initiative. Many thanks.

Best wishes
Robert

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

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

http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4255.msg31894#msg31894

Media Release 15 August 2010

SEQ:  Seniors week a missed go opportunity

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has said the Seniors week would have been a good time to introduce some public transport initiatives for Seniors to facilitate community participation and activity by older people.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"You wouldn't know it but 14th to 22nd August 2010 is Seniors week (1).  Seniors are reeling from the price impacts of go card travel.  Unable to afford the 40% increase in paper fares many have resorted to using the go card.  A failure to have a capped fare for the go card as for other states has meant that many Seniors have now had to restrict public transport use and their community participation (2)."

"One of the aims of Seniors week is to increase community participation. To achieve this a Seniors capped fare on the red go card is needed.  This would actually return savings as health and well being is improved, as Seniors are then able to get out and about more often and would assist volunteers in their duties."

"It does appear that Seniors Week is another wasted opportunity."

References:

1. http://www.communityservices.qld.gov.au/seniors/events/seniorsweek/about/

2. 17 Feb 2010: SEQ: Time for a Go card Seniors Excursion Fare  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3447.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 22nd August 2015 page 25

Free ride for seniors welcomed