ALP: Brisbane lord mayoral candidate launches Fare Free Friday

[ozbob]

The Red team are out and about pushing the Fare Free Friday con.  They must really think punters are stupid hey?

[ozbob]

On the basis of Fare Free Friday, the light rail details will be awesome no doubt  .  I wonder if it will be elevated down the Queen St Mall?  I think they will avoid elevation down the River 'cause that was a Quirky idea hey?

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

9th February 2016

Re: BCC Election: Fare Free Friday is a stunt!

Greetings,

We note that the Labor Lord Mayor Candidate has promised to turn off the ticket machines on Fridays.  LOL.

How will real time data be provided on Fridays for BCC Transport? The ticket consoles power the real time data feed. This is an insane stunt.  Obviously a knee-jerk political ploy oblivious to the wider impacts.

In addition to the issues identified below Fare Free Fridays on BCC Transport will result in:

1. Full/late-running buses,

2. Services not equating to demand, requiring more services on one day of the week only,

3. People undertaking useless travel,

4. Severe shifts in demand patterns which place communities under strain,

5. Will also cause problems with the go card fare algorithms,

6. Loss of passenger ticketing data. Loss of real time data.

Hopeless proposal. As Lord Mayor Quirk has commented.  "The state government are responsible for fares and they're undertaking a fare review at the moment."*

Candidates for BCC should simply leave fare policy to the appropriate agency that actually understands the complex components that make up a fare system, including the fare structure.

Best wishes
Robert

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

*  http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-government/brisbane-lord-mayoral-candidate-launches-fare-free-friday-for-public-transport/news-story/47236e87cc66cf4e900d95da6aa550a0

On 08-Feb-16 1:34 PM, RAIL Back On Track Admin wrote:

Sent to all outlets:

8th February 2016

BCC Election:  Fare Free Friday is s stunt!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has rejected outright the ' Fare Free Fridays ' stunt by the Labor Lord Mayor Candidate.  Bus reform is needed not sugar hits and stunts.

Some reasons why this is dumb policy and an absurd stunt are:

1.  Anti-network integration.

2.  Will cause boundary issues - parking and bus congestion.

3.  Confusion.

4.  Cost.

5.  Will stymie service growth.

6.  Political stunt, measured balanced fare reform needed.

7.  The $28 million dollars could be spent on more high frequency buses to Centenary and Bulimba for example. Six new high frequency bus routes could be financed by the cost of the fare stunt.  This would generate at least 3 times the number of passengers than would be achieved with the fare stunt.

8.  Not sustainable and old policy in effect - Mr. Harding says it is a 'temporary' measure. When the measure goes, the pax will also disappear. Simple fare cuts don't work - LNP tried this already with 7.5% fare reversal and patronage kept going down. This is because bus network is grossly outdated and needs reform.

9.  Making services cheap won't increase frequency, and could delay introduction of more frequent bus routes. For people living in areas where service is only hourly or half hourly, this measure is next to useless.

10. Waste of money - most pax already travel and pay for Fridays as they have to work. These people would still travel to work discount or not, so it adds nothing new there.

11. Inequitable - real problem with fares is lack of concession for unemployed/healthcare holders. Fares are already under review.

12. Hard to remove - once freebies like this creep into the system and mess it up, even 'temporary', it becomes hard to remove them. We are still trying to remove the 9-then waste initiative put in by the LNP, and history shows that when former Premier Bligh did a fare freeze, she made up for it the next year by increasing fares by 20%.

13. Potential to raise rates, or TransLink fares, or both to make up funding shortfall.

14. Already have 9-then waste, complete rort, damaged the system and revenue. Cheap sugar shot, not sustainable.

15. The biggest issue will be patronage stolen off QR to then overcrowd certain Friday BT services. A few outer services to consider 220,460,310,150. We will see bus/rail transfers alright, just not in the correct order. This is inefficient and adds more costs to the system. Large numbers of people likely to get off at Toowong and catch bus into CBD on Fridays as well.

16. It's profoundly unfair. People might have Friday as a designated day off. They might travel 6 days a week excluding Friday.
They might only have access to trains or private operator buses.

We do support affordable fares, but that has to be across the board for everyone, and not an ill thought out anti-public transport policy like this.

Reference:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11979.0

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

22 reasons why ' Fare Free Friday ' is a crazy stunt ..

> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11979.msg168661#msg168661 ... #qldpol #bccvotes

[ozbob]

Airborne bus notwithstanding,  team red is missing the bus this campaign so far I reckon ..

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

10th February 2016

Why are Queenslanders so stupid?

Good Morning,

Raising of false expectations with respect to fares is anti-public transport.  It is disappointing that BCC Candidates other than the incumbent Lord Mayor Graham Quirk,  cannot understand the need for a properly integrated fare system for SEQ.

The basic problem with public transport in SEQ is a grossly inefficient network due to the divide between BCC and the rest of SEQ and Brisbane Transport and the various operators.  It is a shambolic network.  This has been a major factor in the very high cost fares presently on the system.

Candidates raising false expectations with respect to fares is very unhelpful and  destructive.  The State Government has commissioned a fare review, this needs to run to completion.  Actions by both the ALP and Greens Candidates is not helpful in getting an affordable, equitable fare structure embedded in a coherent fare system for SEQ.

We have repeatedly called for public transport functions to be removed from BCC.  Only by doing that will the festering mess really be improved for the long term. The Public Transport Authority needs to be a real authority as for other states.  Not a part time, part place authority.

We are heartened though by the Greens recognition that bus network reform will deliver great gains at relatively small cost, compared to ' Metro '  and ' Light Rail ' pipe dreams which are simply thought bubbles at present.

We need to fix up what we have got.  Why are Queenslanders so stupid?

Best wishes
Robert

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

Reference:

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

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

10th February 2016

Rod Harding's 'Fiasco Friday'

Greetings,

RAIL Back on Track supports affordable fares. However, we will not be supporting Rod Harding's 'Fare Free Friday' fiasco.

We, a public transport advocacy group, understand the need for real fare reform. What we don't need is some hi-waste $28 million pre-election bombshell dropped on the ratepayers of Brisbane. Rod Harding's 'Fiasco Friday' policy is actually recycled tried-and-failed LNP policy, so it is truly incredible to see someone from the ALP now advancing it.

For some history, the LNP introduced the '9-then waste' rort, damaging farebox revenue and encouraging people to embark on useless trips, often at lunchtime, to qualify for the discount. Rod Harding's 'Fiasco Friday' is essentially extending this rort, except now it will kick in only after 8 trips.

We all know where the LNP and its lazy fare 'policy' got them. Despite introducing the 9-then waste rort, and reversing their own 7.5% fare increase, the LNP lost the election and were tossed out of office. Patronage continued to fall, and it is easy to see why. Simple fare cuts will not make up for Brisbane City Council's broken bus network, or fill the now infamous bus 'black hole' areas such as Yeronga, Bulimba, Centenary and Northwestern suburbs of Brisbane, with decent and frequent bus service.

Fares do need to be lower, but they need to be affordable for everyone across the board on all days of the week, not just Fridays. That is what the State Government's fare review panel is all about. Fare changes will be most effective when taken in combination with bus reform to secure patronage. We are yet to see any detailed bus reforms announced by any BCC election candidates.

Rod Harding and the $28 million dollars he proposes to waste on 'Fiasco Friday' would be better directed at bus reform and introducing new hi-frequency / larger capacity buses on key bus corridors into the CBD.

Rod Harding, scrap this expensive gimmick and get behind real bus network reforms.

Best wishes,
Robert

Contact:

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

References:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-07/labor-offers-fare-free-fridays-brisbane-city-council-elections/7146786

http://www.4bc.com.au/news/public-transport-the-hot-topic-for-upcoming-election-20160208-gmp1e1.html

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

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 14s

. @Rod4Bris 'Fiasco Friday'

> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11979.msg168715#msg168715 ...

@Team_Quirk @BenPennings #qldpol @StirlHinchliffe O_o

[ozbob]

Harding is still out there touting this absurdity ....   

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow now

Disappointing @Rod4Bris still flogging a dead horse ..

>> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11979.msg168649#msg168649 ... @Team_Quirk @BenPennings #qldpol

[Derwan]

Got a Labor brochure in the mail today.  I hadn't seen it mentioned before that Fare Free Friday will only run for 8 months (May to December 2016).  How is that helping the long-term needs for public transport?

[#Metro]

Got a Labor brochure in the mail today.  I hadn't seen it mentioned before that Fare Free Friday will only run for 8 months (May to December 2016).  How is that helping the long-term needs for public transport?

It's not meant to help fare affordability, it is to help Rod get elected. It's like the happy meal toys McDonalds puts into the bag with the burgers. You can't eat those, but it sells burgers!

[QLDBUS]

Someone explain to me whats going to happen with areas like kuraby which is in BBC boundaries but are operated by Logan City Buses or buses such as the 359 which is operated by BBC but goes into Mortern Bay Boundaries and also would school buses be included in free fare Fridays?

[SurfRail]

^ Short answer - don't think too hard about it.  Even if he wins and has control of Council (which are 2 separate things), he can't just unilaterally turn the machines off.  It will never happen.

[#Metro]

Someone explain to me whats going to happen with areas like kuraby which is in BBC boundaries but are operated by Logan City Buses

I guess that everyone will just hop off and catch the BT bus at the border. Maybe we would need border controls to figure out who could catch a bus or couldn't!!

The fare machines I understand are TL equipment. Turning them off would be repudiation of the bus contract signed between BCC and the State Government wouldn't it?

Sunshine Coast has free buses, so likely a payments transfer to State Gov to make up for it.

BCC are getting away with so much. Imagine if a private bus contractor said to TransLink 'Oh, we think the fares are too high, everyone on friday will have free fares and we will just switch the machine off'. How do you think that would go down?

[achiruel]

What about all those filthy unwashed from Browns Plains who could catch 140s and 150s?

People catching the 554 already connect with (non-BCC) buses at Springwood and trains at Kuraby. I imagine some of them would change their travel pattern on Fridays to change at Garden City instead, thereby reducing their fare from 4 or 5 zones to one or two.

[aldonius]

There's got to be an excellent media stunt in that.

I'd do my equivalent (397/8 backwards to Mitchie, then 390) but to be honest anyone who rides the 397/8 from one end to the other as part of their commute has already paid enough, regardless of the presence or absence of fares.

[James]

On the point of Kuraby, if anybody owned a car (or enjoyed their exercise), you could simply walk/drive to Fruitgrove station and get the 150 BUZ. Moggill Ferry might also get a workout, go from Ipswich to Moggill then catch the 444, cheaper than the train from Goodna.

This policy would result in some seriously wacky travel patterns.

[achiruel]

You'd have to be pretty dedicated to walk from Riverview station to the Moggill ferry and then up the hill to the 444 terminus. I've done it myself and it's quite a hike.

[verbatim9]

You'd have to be pretty dedicated to walk from Riverview station to the Moggill ferry and then up the hill to the 444 terminus. I've done it myself and it's quite a hike.

I used to do it as well when younger, walk down from Riverview Station to the ferry then ask for a ride from one of the cars @ the ferry heading up to the bus stop @ Moggill. Integrated transport then Lol! Not much has changed nor the hours of the ferry. The equivalent  down in NSW The Berowra ferry runs until 11pm/midnight. Sorry now 24/7 http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/using-roads/trip-information/vehicular-ferries.html must tie in with the open deregulated retail economy down there 😊

[ozbob]

And they were out there again today flogging this FFF.  There are no free lunches ...

People are just ignorant of the effects this would cause if ever implemented ... sad state of politics.

Jingles and promises of ' free lunches ',  rolled gold infrastructure fantasy ...  no wonder it is such a mess 

[Monster]

I asked our local Red team candidate some simple questions at a doorstop visit over the weekend. I thought they were relatively straighforward.

"How does your proposal for a Fare Free Friday assist a BCC ratepaying family like mine who live 800 mtrs from a train and use that mode primarily for transport, due to a lack of busses in our area? Are you going to lobby Translink to have trains included to ensure equality? Can you actually do that?"

(insert sound of crickets here........)

I'm over this already. Neither of the Red or Blue teams shows any interest in achieving tangable, long lasting reform in the Public Transport space. It's all about the biggest and shiniest announcement backed up by glossy brochures and mocked up videos.

[#Metro]

I'm over this already. Neither of the Red or Blue teams shows any interest in achieving tangable, long lasting reform in the Public Transport space. It's all about the biggest and shiniest announcement backed up by glossy brochures and mocked up videos.

Vote bait! Obviously you didn't bite it.

Most people don't think AND vote. Scary stuff!! 

In fact, the word FREE is probably one of the most misused and abused words in the English language. Drivers do not work for free! It is just transferring costs from your budget to the city budget, which then gets passed back to you at rates time.

You should have just asked them why pick on Fridays, what about all the other six days of the week, LOL.

[Monster]

That may have had dire consequences  ...... I don't think politicians expect anyone to challenge them about their policies. Certainly at these sorts of door stops visits, I get the feeling they just want to show their face and hand out yet another brochure.

But as I live in the "BCC badlands" (Keperra/Grovely - a stones throw from the boundary with MBRC), I don't get to see my local council member much, so when someone comes a callin' to talk local issues, I'm going to have my say.

[techblitz]

I'm over this already. Neither of the Red or Blue teams shows any interest in achieving tangable, long lasting reform in the Public Transport space

agreed......nothing of real note has been achieved under both of them.......and none of them currently support BCC bus reform......

[Monster]

I actually suggested that come on here and read some of the comments around PT, get a sense of the frustration, ideas, comments etc.

Somehow I doubt they would have.... and the sad thing is it's not only to their detriment............ it's also to ours.........

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

12th March 2016

Reasons why ' Fare Free Friday ' is very bad policy

Greetings,

Lord Mayor Candidate Rod Harding's proposal for Fare Free Fridays has not received sufficient critical scrutiny in our opinion. The State is responsible for the fares.  Delays in the fare review have not helped however introducing a flawed initiative that will completely disrupt the public transport network is insane.

Hopeless proposal. As Lord Mayor Quirk has commented.  "The state government are responsible for fares and they're undertaking a fare review at the moment."

Candidates for BCC should simply leave fare policy to the appropriate agency that actually understands the complex components that make up a fare system, including the fare structure.

Here are 21 reasons why ' Fare Free Friday ' is seriously flawed.

1.  Anti-network integration.

2.  Will cause boundary issues - parking and bus congestion.

3.  Confusion.

4.  Cost.

5.  Will stymie service growth.

6.  Political stunt, measured balanced fare reform needed.

7.  The $28 million dollars could be spent on more high frequency buses to Centenary and Bulimba for example. Six new high frequency bus routes could be financed by the cost of the fare stunt.  This would generate at least 3 times the number of passengers than would be achieved with the fare stunt.

8.  Not sustainable and old policy in effect - Mr. Harding says it is a 'temporary' measure. When the measure goes, the pax will also disappear. Simple fare cuts don't work - LNP tried this already with 7.5% fare reversal and patronage kept going down. This is because bus network is grossly outdated and needs reform.

9.  Making services cheap won't increase frequency, and could delay introduction of more frequent bus routes. For people living in areas where service is only hourly or half hourly, this measure is next to useless.

10. Waste of money - most pax already travel and pay for Fridays as they have to work. These people would still travel to work discount or not, so it adds nothing new there.

11. Inequitable - real problem with fares is lack of concession for unemployed/healthcare holders. Fares are already under review.

12. Hard to remove - once freebies like this creep into the system and mess it up, even 'temporary', it becomes hard to remove them. We are still trying to remove the 9-then waste initiative put in by the LNP, and history shows that when former Premier Bligh did a fare freeze, she made up for it the next year by increasing fares by 20%.

13. Potential to raise rates, or TransLink fares, or both to make up funding shortfall.

14. Already have 9-then waste, complete rort, damaged the system and revenue. Cheap sugar shot, not sustainable.

15. The biggest issue will be patronage stolen off QR to then overcrowd certain Friday BT services. A few outer services to consider 220,460,310,150. We will see bus/rail transfers alright, just not in the correct order. This is inefficient and adds more costs to the system. Large numbers of people likely to get off at Toowong and catch bus into CBD on Fridays as well.

16. Full/late-running buses.

17. Services not equating to demand, requiring more services on one day of the week only,

18. People undertaking useless travel.

19. Severe shifts in demand patterns which place communities under strain.

20. Will also cause problems with the go card fare algorithms.

21. Loss of passenger ticketing data. Loss of real time data.

' There are no free lunches '

Best wishes
Robert

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

BCC Election: Fare Free Friday is a stunt!
> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11979.msg168649#msg168649