Queensland fares

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Questions On Notice

Question on Notice
No. 1278

Asked on Tuesday 3 September 2019

MR S MINNIKIN ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS (HON M BAILEY)
QUESTION:

With reference to passengers using the QR City Network—
Will the Minister advise (a) the amount of passenger fare revenue received over the past five
financial years broken down as follows (i) peak and off-peak travel and(ii) fare category (e.g.
adult, school student, child, pensioner, etc) and (b) the number of passengers/trips in each
category?

ANSWER > https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2019/1278-2019.pdf

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Questions On Notice

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2019/1297-2019.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 1297

Asked on Wednesday 4 September 2019

MR S MINNIKIN ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS (HON M BAILEY)
QUESTION:

Will the Minister outline the initiatives put in place over the past three financial years to increase
ridership of full-fare paying adults on the Translink bus network for South East Queensland, along
with the measures used to gauge the results?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Chatsworth for the question.

Over this time period, full fare-paying adults on the South East Queensland (SEQ) bus network
has grown by around 950,000 even though the government introduced job seekers and veteran's
discounts which converted some full fare-paying adults to concession paying ones.
The Palaszczuk Government has taken strong action to make public transport as affordable and
accessible for SEQ commuters. We acted swiftly to freeze the annual public transport fare
increase in early 2016 and implemented the Fairer Fares for the SEQ package (Fairer Fares) in
late-2016, to provide much needed fare relief across SEQ, and have introduced new concessions
for job seekers, asylum seekers and veterans.

These initiatives have delivered more than $178 million in savings, as at June 2019, for
Queensland public transport users. Additionally, up to 109,000 commuters now benefit each week
from the new 'eight and 50' policy introduced by the Palaszczuk Government. Previously only
80,000 commuters were able to access the former 'nine and free' arrangement each week in the
12 months prior to the Fairer Fares being implemented.

To continue to provide accessible public transport, the Queensland Government is investing
$371 million to deliver a new Smart Ticketing System to make choosing public transport even
easier. The new system will mean customers will be able to access the network and pay for their
travel using contactless debit and credit cards, smartphones and wearable devices, as well as
continuing to use current payment methods. Existing go cards and paper tickets will continue to
be accepted. Smart Ticketing will be progressively rolled out across all modes of public transport
in SEQ and 18 regional bus services by 2022.

The Palaszczuk Government is also committed to ensuring investment in public transport keeps
pace with the growing and changing demands of customers across the State.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads' Passenger Transport Infrastructure Investment
Program funds projects such as bus stations, interchanges, bus priority measures, park 'n' rides,
bus stops and customer signage. Importantly, the program also has a specific focus on providing
accessibility upgrades to infrastructure. These important investments provide more people with
more attractive options for using public transport, helping to manage congestion on our roads.
Finally, the Palaszczuk Government recognises the importance of continued investment in our
public transport network to enable Queenslanders to connect more easily to health services,
education, jobs and with each other.

We are committed to providing an integrated and efficient public transport network accessible for
all Queenslanders. In the last three years, the Palaszczuk Government has invested in significant
bus service improvements on our network, including:

• new bus services to growing areas of SEQ including Ripley Valley, Pimpama, and Caloundra
South
• increasing the frequency and span of hours of bus services to and from the University of
Queensland to encourage more students and staff to use public transport to travel to this key
SEQ attractor
• changes to the bus network in locations such as Redcliffe, the Gold Coast and Moreton Bay
to support seamless connections for customers connecting to other transport modes, such
as rail lines and stage two of the Gold Coast Light Rail.

Furthermore, the Palaszczuk Government is working hard to publicise and market the benefits of
public transport. For example, TransLink has been running local area marketing trials where it
uses a range of data to analyse public transport patronage, suburb by suburb, to identify areas
that have opportunities to improve based on the characteristics of the area and the services
available. TransLink initiates a targeted marketing campaign in the identified areas using a range
of advertising techniques to encourage people to get out of their cars and give public transport a
go.

The Palaszczuk Government's investment in affordable and accessible public transport is
resulting in record patronage on the SEQ TransLink network with a record 189 million trips taken
in 2018–19, up by 6.9 million trips from the previous year.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1194145516910567424

[ozbob]

Question on Notice

No. 1567 https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2019/1567-2019.pdf

Asked on Tuesday 15 October 2019

MR M BERKMAN ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

With reference to fare revenue and patronage numbers from the Translink go card network—
Will the Minister advise, reported separately for peak services and off-peak services for each of
the last three financial years the (a) the total number of trips and the total revenue from these
trips and (b) the breakdown of revenue and trip numbers by fare type (i.e. adult or concession)?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Maiwar for the question.

The Palaszczuk Government has taken strong action to make public transport affordable and
accessible for South East Queensland (SEQ) commuters. Over the past three years, patronage
has grown over 6.9 per cent and revenue has increased 1.1 per cent. The increase in revenue is
mainly due to growth in passenger trips, which were largely offset by the introduction of Fairer
Fares policies in December 2016.

Fairer Fares has provided much needed fare relief across SEQ by introducing new concessions
for job seekers, asylum seekers and veterans, with up to 112,000 people each week now
benefiting from the new 'eight and 50' policy introduced by the Palaszczuk Government. This
means an additional 32,000 people per week benefit—enough to fill 711 urban buses—over the
80,000 people who previously accessed the 'nine and free' arrangements in the 12 months prior
to Fairer Fares being implemented. These initiatives have also delivered more than $191 million
in savings, as at August 2019, for Queensland public transport users across the entire SEQ network.
The Palaszczuk Government is also delivering a $371 million ticketing system, which will
revolutionise public transport state-wide, from Coolangatta to Cairns. The new system will allow
commuters to pay for public transport via contactless credit or debit cards, devices such as smart
phones and smart watches, as well as the current cash and go card payment options. The new
system will include bank-grade security, and will be rolled out across all 18 regional markets, in
addition to SEQ.

It took a Labor Government to modernise and integrate ticketing across SEQ, with the Palaszczuk
Government now delivering the infrastructure, Fairer Fares, and the world-class ticketing system
Queensland needs to continue to make public transport more attractive into the future.
Total passenger trips over this period were 549.97 million. Approximately $1.06 billion, excluding
GST, was collected on the SEQ public transport network between the 2016–17 and 2018–19
financial years.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> TransLink denies widespread Go Card misuse despite commuters rorting system for half price fares

FARE dodgers and careless commuters were charged nearly 3 million "fixed fees'' on Go Cards in the past year – regardless of how far they travelled – after failing to tap on or off during a trip.

TransLink yesterday denied widespread rorting, even though on long trips, fixed fees are a windfall for commuters, who pay $5 or $10 instead of nearly $20 for a one-way fare.

Commuters who fail or forget to tap on at the start of a trip or off at the end are charged a fixed fee of $5 for bus trips and $10 for rail and ferry trips, regardless of distance.

This is far cheaper than the $19.96 fare to travel eight zones from Gympie North, Noosa Heads or Cooroy to central Brisbane, the $16.82 for seven zones from Coolangatta to Brisbane, or $13.53 for six zones from Varsity Lakes, Nambour or Maroochydore to Brisbane.

But commuters on short trips, who should pay $3.31 for fares in inner-Brisbane or $4.03 from outer suburbs, are short-changed by the fixed fares.

Only one in 10 commuters slugged with a fixed fee bothers to call TransLink to request a ­refund after forgetting to tap on or off.

Data obtained by The Courier-Mail reveals commuters were charged 2.9 million fixed fares in the past year.

A TransLink spokesman yesterday said fixed fares comprised 1.77 per cent of the total number of Go Card trips in southeast Queensland – equivalent to one in every 56 trips.

He said 86 per cent of Go Cards that were charged a fixed fare "did so only once that week''.

"Based on our analysis of the data, there is no overall pattern of deliberate misuse regarding fixed fares,'' he said. "For safety reasons, TransLink allows customers to travel as long as they have a positive balance on their Go Card when they touch on.

"Some customers who forget to touch off or who have touched off incorrectly by mistake would receive a fixed fare.

"We encourage customers to call TransLink on 13 12 30 for an adjustment for a fixed fare if they have made an error.''

Guards have also been posted at the Brisbane Airtrain stop to check that commuters tap their Go Cards when they get off at the airport. The fixed fare for airport trips is $30.

Commuters in southeast Queensland made 163 million trips using Go Cards in the past year.

[verbatim9]

Breaking : Fares will increase by 1.9% effective Jan 6 2020.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1206793265103691776

[achiruel]

Disappointed there's no further reduction to off-peak fares. Expect stagnation in off-peak travel for the next 12 months.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Fare hike for Queensland commuters in the new year

Queensland commuters can expect a fee hike of up to 38¢ a trip for public transport services from early next year.

On Tuesday, TransLink announced the fares for all Go Card trips would increase based on the Brisbane Consumer Price Index of 1.9 per cent from Monday, January 6.

The adjustment means fares will increase between 6¢ and 12¢ a trip for most adult Go Cards.

"Aligning the change with CPI means we have been able to limit increases because we know families are under cost-of-living pressures," TransLink general manager Martin Bradshaw said.

"Revenue from public transport fares falls well short of funding required to run public transport, and a CPI-based increase simply assists in keeping pace with the current subsidy levels, which has the state government subsidising about 80 per cent of the cost providing public transport."

New TransLink fares from January 2020

A single-zone trip will increase by six cents to $3.37

A two-zone trip will increase by eight cents to $4.11

A  three-zone trip will increase by 12 cents to $6.28

But for longer trips covering up to eight or nine zones, fares will increase by 38¢, from $19.96 for an adult during peak travel times to $20.34.

Half-price concessions will continue, with students on concession cards travelling between one or two zones to see a 3¢ or 4¢ increase for each trip.

Fares increased by between 6¢ and 11¢ a trip in January 2018, but were still lower than previous years after a Fairer Fares package introduced in 2017 cut fares by up to 34 per cent.

"Fairer Fares delivers real cost-of-living savings for passengers on the TransLink network, including limiting the impact of the 2020 fare increase," Mr Bradshaw said.

About $360 million from fare revenue was reinvested into public transport, including operator payments such as $320 million to Brisbane City Council for bus operations and $19.5 million for ferries.

Earlier this month Transport Minister Mark Bailey said public transport patronage had risen by 3.58 per cent since last year, with 50.9 million trips taken between July and September in south-east Queensland.

He said train patronage saw the biggest increase, with 4.6 per cent growth (from 14.4 million to 15.07 million), coinciding with 430 new weekly train services introduced in late July, almost 1000 days after the 2016 train driver crisis forced rail services to be cut.

[ozbob]

Disappointed there's no further reduction to off-peak fares. Expect stagnation in off-peak travel for the next 12 months.

I would expect to see something on this leading into the State election October 2020.

[ozbob]

Facebook ...

[ozbob]

Interesting to note that fare structures and zones are started to be improved across Qconnect buses. 

It is worthwhile to note that some jurisdictions still have 10 trip tickets and some weekly tickets.  This presents a challenge of sorts.

The aim will be I think to have Queensland on the same structure, but not necessarily the same fare tables. 

The case is building for additional periodical options.  I would like to see an option for periodicals anywhere from one to 52 weeks.  Base weekly cost could be 9 fares for chosen zone, less a periodical discount of say ~0.5% for every four weeks   purchased in advanced.  Travel outside nominated periodical zone would simply be pay as you go based on the normal fares for any extra zone travel.

[Gazza]

Just offer lower fares overall rather than selectively giving a discount to high income earners that can afford to pay up to a year upfront.

[verbatim9]

Interesting to note that fare structures and zones are started to be improved across Qconnect buses. 

It is worthwhile to note that some jurisdictions still have 10 trip tickets and some weekly tickets.  This presents a challenge of sorts.

The aim will be I think to have Queensland on the same structure, but not necessarily the same fare tables. 

The case is building for additional periodical options.  I would like to see an option for periodicals anywhere from one to 52 weeks.  Base weekly cost could be 9 fares for chosen zone, less a periodical discount of say ~0.5% for every four weeks   purchased in advanced.  Travel outside nominated periodical zone would simply be pay as you go based on the normal fares for any extra zone travel.

Just offer lower fares overall rather than selectively giving a discount to high income earners that can afford to pay up to a year upfront.

In NSW it's been recommended that better discounts are offered to frequent peak and off peak travellers. While people who do the odd trip will pay a higher price for doing so.

When I visited Sydney and Newcastle a couple of weeks ago. It was great to use the Sunday Cap. Only paid for.one trip the rest of the day was free. We need a Sunday and Public Holiday Cap here in Qld. Something equal to NSW. I would except a maximum of $4.00 for the cap here in Qld.

I also like the Opal Travel App. Its very easy  to track your trips. It also clearly states when you are eligible for your reward. I hope the App up here is improved to clearly state how many trips you have done in a 7 day period.

[ozbob]

Just offer lower fares overall rather than selectively giving a discount to high income earners that can afford to pay up to a year upfront.

Periodical tickets and variants have long been a feature of public transport in SEQ. Strong response in our survey to having them.

A small discount is reasonable in lieu of payment up front.  People who are struggling have concession fares.

[ozbob]

V. I think Opal fares are too cheap.  Opal is not properly mode integrated either.  A legacy of the early botched attempts at smart ticketing.

[verbatim9]

V. I think Opal fares are too cheap.  Opal is not properly mode integrated either.  A legacy of the early botched attempts at smart ticketing.

While Opal single fares are considerably cheaper than here in SEQ it is well priced for the market in comparison with other Global cities. The population density is hgh using the this mode of transport hence the Government can offer cheaper single one way fares without compromising the fare box.

I still think that a Sunday and Public Holiday Cap would be appropriate in SEQ. For two people to travel up or down the coast or head to the CBD or Southbank, on a Sunday for 8 bucks (for two) would be very attractive, in place of driving a private vehicle.

[Gazza]

Just offer lower fares overall rather than selectively giving a discount to high income earners that can afford to pay up to a year upfront.

Periodical tickets and variants have long been a feature of public transport in SEQ. Strong response in our survey to having them.

A small discount is reasonable in lieu of payment up front.  People who are struggling have concession fares.

But that's only because it was the way it was always done and people doing the survey don't know any better.

If we are talking upfront payment, we already do that when we load money onto GoCard.

Basically, periodical ticketing favours commuters who follow a predictable pattern, whereas people who travel to various destinations on an irregular basis cannot avail themselves of this.

Providing periodicals has some cost associated with it, what Im saying is take that cost, and divide it across all passengers instead if we have the money, because that is undoubtedly fairer.

[ozbob]

You are missing a key point V.  We are going to a Queensland wide smart ticketing system.  What ever is done really has to be across Queensland, not just SEQ.

The present 8 +50% thereafter will probably remain is my best guess. Optional periodicals is probably the most equitable for all jurisdictions.  Myki pass is interesting, there is a significant daily fare cost saving on pass and once you purchase 325 the remaining 40 days are free.

But who knows, what the election will lead to in terms of fractured fare policies.  Interesting times await.

[Gazza]

if its Qld wide, ditch periodicals like what happened when SEQ got smart ticketing.

Myki pass is interesting, there is a significant daily fare cost saving on pass and once you purchase 325 the remaining 40 days are free.

325/365 = 0.89 , in other words 11% discount.

So then just drop fares by 11% across the board right? Simple, and everyone benefits.

[ozbob]

Just offer lower fares overall rather than selectively giving a discount to high income earners that can afford to pay up to a year upfront.

Periodical tickets and variants have long been a feature of public transport in SEQ. Strong response in our survey to having them.

A small discount is reasonable in lieu of payment up front.  People who are struggling have concession fares.

But that's only because it was the way it was always done and people doing the survey don't know any better.

If we are talking upfront payment, we already do that when we load money onto GoCard.

Basically, periodical ticketing favours commuters who follow a predictable pattern, whereas people who travel to various destinations on an irregular basis cannot avail themselves of this.

Providing periodicals has some cost associated with it, what Im saying is take that cost, and divide it across all passengers instead if we have the money, because that is undoubtedly fairer.

A reasonable point of view, however I think we need to have some periodical options to drive patronage.

A daily fare payment for Myki pass zones 1-2 (full fare) is $5.30, Myki Money is $8.80.  That is some saving ...

What I am suggesting is a minor saving in comparison, but still an encouragement to use public transport above the basic commute.  As I suggested anyone who travels outside nominated zones on a periodical just pays the normal zone pay as you go fare. 

As far as your comment " But that's only because it was the way it was always done and people doing the survey don't know any better." it is a bit presumptuous in my opinion. People know what goes on elsewhere. 

[verbatim9]

^^Ah cool if referencing Statewide then fair enough.

[Gazza]

What i mean there are other options too. Periodical tickets are what they grew up with, but do not necessarily provide the best bang for buck in terms of patronage uptick.

If we are moving to account based ticketing, you could provide bonus travel credit for example by making a certain number of journeys, not tied to any particular time period.
That's just one way to look at broader options that make use of the tech.

I think we need to have some periodical options to drive patronage.

But presumably the 11% discount drives patronage. The rest of the patronage gets driven by network improvements, even small things like how the buses in Springfield are being adjusted to be more reliable.

[ozbob]

If we are moving to account based ticketing, you could provide bonus travel credit for example by making a certain number of journeys, not tied to any particular time period.

That's just one way to look at broader options that make use of the tech.

Good point.  Periodicals or equivalent don't have to be in the form I am suggesting, but I think it is important that there is an incentive to drive PT use.  What you suggest is virtually the equivalent in a broad sense.  I think that would work well in all the Queensland jurisdictions.

I have been told with the new fare system they can do anything really.  It would be a sad outcome if they just stick to the present 8 and 50% with not much incentive do to more than the basic commute.   I don't think they will change the off peak discount but keep that up their sleeve if peak congestion management becomes a critical issue.

[aldonius]

If you specifically want a frequent user discount, I think journey-based caps are the way to go rather than periodicals.

So you only pay for e.g. your two most expensive journeys each day, and your ~ten most expensive each week.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

19th December 2019

New fare system - consultation?

Greetings,

There will be a CPI based fare increase of 1.9% from the 6th January 2020. This fare increase will be Queensland wide (that is TransLink and the present Qconnect urban bus networks).

TransLink > https://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/fares-and-zones/new-fares-2020
Qconnect > https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/public/transport/timetables/qconnect/new-fares-for-2020

As we move to the new fare system (smart ticketing) throughout Queensland, it would be a mistake to just simply move all jurisdictions over to the present SEQ go card fare structure without considering some additional optional innovative smart ticketing products or incentives.

The  go card system in use presently had significant limitations in terms of the fare structure that can be done.  This is not the case with the new fare system.  Has there been any public consultation re the types of additional fare structures (ticketing options) that the public would like?  Has anyone heard from the Public Transport Fares Advisory Panel?  A panel apparently representing passengers interests.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Attached: https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=13799.msg231555#msg231555

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1207375496498933760

[ozbob]

Facebook ...

[techblitz]

https://www.facebook.com/TransLinkQLD/posts/3926830664009636

900+ comments.

tons of cost comparisons vs uber or other other cities..
Brisbane/seq cited as a complete ripoff by many..

[ozbob]

https://www.facebook.com/TransLinkQLD/posts/3926830664009636

900+ comments.

tons of cost comparisons vs uber or other other cities..
Brisbane/seq cited as a complete ripoff by many..

Every ' Customer Experience Survey ' and its earlier form tells them affordability is an issue. 

I don't know if they seem to care anymore. 

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1207498797317668864

[#Metro]

Of course it costs more.

Brisbane is not compact and the bus network is skewed towards coverage routes that don't prioritise revenue.

Did I mention new developments happening 50 km away, and bans on medium density in the BCC area?

Then you have half hourly trains with two staff. Other places have one. And better frequency that pulls pax and thus revenue.

Then on top of all of that you have buses competing with trains, an additional layer of inefficiency.

Throw in lots of BCC rocket buses that must dead run, and you have a very expensive to operate network.

[techblitz]

Did I mention

for probably the tenth time....most of those individual points....

What would be better is for you to relay those same points to frustrated commuters on that translink thread who are wondering 'why is our public transport so expensive?'
Easily the most asked question of all..

[AnonymouslyBad]

tons of cost comparisons vs uber or other other cities..
Brisbane/seq cited as a complete ripoff by many..

Yeah. Not that meaningful though. You could reduce fares by 30% and there'd still be hundreds of comments whinging that they should be even lower.

Fares are something no-one's ever happy with, yet outside of a small minority who've done their research most can't offer a better idea except "my ticket should be $1 even if it sucks for everyone else".

"My trip from Caboolture to Brisbane every day shouldn't be so expensive" Ok, what does that mean for people closer to the city? Should they get screwed over for outer suburban votes, like Melbourne did? There's still hugely less premium for distance than driving.

"I just take one train a couple of stops, why am I paying for the bus network?" Ok, well if that's the only trip you make you're probably not a choice commuter anyway. Should people connecting throughout the system get screwed over, like Sydney still does? You'd just take your cheaper ticket and still drive your car on the weekend.

"Public transport should be free" No it shouldn't.

On and on it goes.

1.9% is a fairly modest increase so I don't have any huge complaints this year. Yeah they are still a bit on the high side but it is not that bad. Most of the comparisons are not apples to apples.

[#Metro]

The fares have not increased in real terms.

It is essentially no change if it is CPI.

[ozbob]

The fares have not increased in real terms.

It is essentially no change if it is CPI.

But the price point is considered to be unaffordable.  This is clear from TransLink's own surveys (and our own).  Keeping an unaffordable price point unaffordable means it is still unaffordable.

The smart ticketing introduction is an opportunity to improve the price point by using some innovation and incentives.

Let's not forget, the introduction of go card #1 was pretty much a disaster in terms of the fare table and impacts.  It was one of the main causes of the patronage stagnation and population adjusted patronage decline over the decade. 

The last thing we need is another repeat of the that debacle.

[#Metro]

We are arguing different value propositions. Same service for less $ versus more service for same $.

Network planning and frequency improvements should be done first rather than cut fares IMHO.

People are willing to pay for quality, we see that when people choose to take the car.

[ozbob]

More pax the greater the farebox
Not rocket science, economics 101.

Even Opal is looking at passes.

Price point is too high for the majority. We have an opportunity to fix it with the smart ticketing.

Fuking joke this ' Customer Experience ' crap
They do it to tick a box. The results are ignored.

[ozbob]

We are arguing different value propositions. Same service for less $ versus more service for same $.

Network planning and frequency improvements should be done first rather than cut fares IMHO.

People are willing to pay for quality, we see that when people choose to take the car.

We have been arguing network improvements for years.

Time the broom was swept in the halls of blunder and put in place a proper public transport focussed authority.

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 20th December 2019 page 13

Innovative ticketing systems need looking at