Queensland fares

[ozbob]

TransLink

Fairer fares - from 19 December 2016

>> https://translink.com.au/service-updates/109216

Frequently asked questions

    How many passengers will benefit from the Fairer Fares package?

    About 93 per cent of existing passengers will pay less for public transport under the Government's new fare reform, while 4 per cent will pay a similar amount to their current fare.

    Will there be a change to my go card as a result of the Fairer Fares package?

    There will be no change to your go card or the way you use it when travelling. Just touch on and touch off like usual and your fare will be calculated automatically.

    Why is the Government replacing the '9 and FREE' incentive with '8 paid trips and 50 per cent off subsequent journeys'?

    go card data shows in a typical week around 15 per cent of go card users do enough journeys to benefit from the '9 and FREE' incentive. Replacing the '9 and FREE' incentive with an '8 and 50 per cent of subsequent journeys' scheme allows reduced fares across all zones, benefiting a greater number of people.

    Why do children have to touch on and off to get free travel at the weekend?

    Having a valid (touched on) go card is a condition of travel on TransLink services.

    Why do some new timetables and maps show an effective date of 9 January 2017?

    While the Fairer Fares package was originally planned to be introduced in January 2017, the package is ready to be implemented ahead of schedule on 19 December 2016. Some timetables and maps were produced prior to the date change and show a January implementation date. All maps and timetables displaying an effective date of January 2017 will be current from 19 December 2016.

    When will the government introduce concessions to people on the Newstart Allowance, Youth Allowance or asylum seekers?

    The Queensland Government will introduce concession fares to unemployed people receiving the Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance, and to asylum seekers during 2017, pending discussions with Federal Government agencies. A precise date is yet to be finalised.

    What happens if I tap my go card before 6am but my journey finishes after 6am?

    Off-peak fares are based on when you touch on. So if you touch on at 5.57am you will receive the off-peak fare. If you transfer between services on a multi-trip journey across peak and off-peak times, your go card will automatically calculate the fare as a combination of peak and off-peak.

[ozbob]

Image of https://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/plan-your-journey/maps/161219-seq-fare-zone.pdf

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

15th December 2016

Early implementation of new fare structure for SEQ welcome!

Greetings,

RAIL Back On Track welcomes the early introduction of the new fare structure for SEQ public transport, with effect from Monday 19th December 2016.

This fare structure is much more affordable, much more equitable and will support local and long distance commuting. It is a big win for our community.
It is in the best interests of all public transport users to obtain a go card for their travel. Paper tickets are still available but much more expensive than go card for equivalent travel.

It has been a long process to end up with a much improved fare structure for SEQ.  It is our earnest hope that future fare policy is removed from the politics of the day and given over to good and sound policy determinants.

Thanks to the Minister for Transport Stirling Hinchliffe, the Palaszczuk Government, TransLink & Cubic Staff for this early implementation.

Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

1. Zone Map --> https://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/plan-your-journey/maps/161219-seq-fare-zone.pdf

2. Fare Calculator --> http://jp.translink.com.au/fare-review Taskforce report (external site)

3. New SEQ Fares --> https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12583.0

[verbatim9]

Translink's Facebook Announcement

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1678995932126465&substory_index=0&id=521288224563914

[verbatim9]

Alot of people will be able to take advantage of the new early morning off peak. Especially now that Retail workers can start at 7am.

What happens if I tap my go card before 6am but my journey finishes after 6am?
Off-peak fares are based on when you touch on. So if you touch on at 5.57am you will receive the off-peak fare. If you transfer between services on a multi-trip journey across peak and off-peak times, your go card will automatically calculate the fare as a combination of peak and off-peak.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> New fare structure arrives early

The Palaszczuk government will roll out its new fare structure earlier than expected, with the plan due to start on Monday, December 19.

And Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe announced yet another timetable change for commuters on Thursday morning.

Mr Hinchliffe admitted there may be some technical problems in starting the Fairer Fares package on January 1, 2017, as earlier promised, which was why it had been brought forward.

"The reality is, introducing it, for instance literally at midnight on the 1st of January, at a peak time after the New Year's celebrations, might have involved some significant challenges," he said.

But Mr Hinchliffe also denied the plan was to start the package on January 1, when questioned over why that date was announced if it was not going to be viable.

That was despite a press release handed to media at the announcement saying: "The Fairer Fares package was announced in June for a 1 January 2017 start."
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"It was always going to need to be either delivered a little bit earlier than that 1st of January deadline or a little bit later, so we thought let's get it in place, make sure we've got it bedded down well and truly before the new year," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"It was announced as January and of course that leads to people having an expectation about January 1.

"It was certainly announced in June for a January start, as part of the budget package, certainly the issue of whether it was starting on 1 January came up at the time, and that would have been said, but equally we've got to make sure that it will be available from 1 January, there's no question about that, because we're seeing it start from the 19th of December."

The Fairer Fares package includes slashing travel zones from 23 to eight, extending the off peak discount and replacing the nine and free deal with a new model.

"This is a bit of a Christmas bonus, of delivering the Fairer Fares package earlier than as it was announced from January ... and provide some very welcome relief to commuters across our network," Mr Hinchliffe said.

Mr Hinchliffe said it was believed the new fare package would lead to a modest increase in patronage, with modelling predicting about .75 per cent.

From December 28 to January 22, there will also be a service reduction of 11 per cent across the TransLink network.

Mr Hinchliffe said there were typically 22 per cent fewer commuters over the Christmas and school holiday period.

"It makes sense that that's a period that we can relieve the pressure on our services and make sure that we deliver a timetable that is reliable and understandable to our commuters, but does take the pressure off during that summer period," he said.

"We won't see a reduction in services in any way on the Airport Line."

The new summer timetable will be available on the TransLink website from Tuesday and there will also be printed timetables at stations.

It comes after numerous timetable adjustments on the Queensland Rail network as bosses tried to deliver a reliable timetable amid driver shortage issues.

The driver shortage was revealed following the opening of the Redcliffe Peninsula Line in October, when more than 100 services were cancelled.

Acting chief executive Neil Scales said the pared back timetable would also help Queensland Rail speed up training new drivers.

"While we've got the summer timetable operating, we'll have more of an opportunity to train drivers, particularly on new generation rolling stock, but also make sure that we've got route training as well going on," Mr Scales said.

It was also revealed a Transit Oriented Development at the Ferny Grove train station would allow for an extra 250 car parks, adding to the 900 already available.

Fairer Fares package:

    Fewer zones: 23 travel zones to eight
    Cheaper fares: Fares for all zones of travel will be slashed
    Extending off-peak discount: Peak period will not start until after 6am in the morning, to encourage earlire travel. The 20 per cent off-peak discount will now apply for all travel between 7pm and 6am, and between 8.30am and 3.30pm Monday-Friday and all day on weekends
    Kids go free: Children under the age of 15 will travel free on weekends on a child go card
    Senior discounts: Seniors and pensioners will retain the One, Two, Free travel
    8 and 50: The government will scrap the nine and free deal, and replace it with eight paid journeys and 50 per cent off subsequent journeys per week
    Job seekers: TransLink will work with the federal government so jobseekers on Newstart or Youth Allowance will be able to access concession fares in 2017

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Cheaper fares for southeast commuters

[ozbob]

There'll be cheaper public transport fares in South East Queensland from Monday. @PatrickCondren #bnetraffic #7News https://t.co/I4IYsCZG6t

— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) December 15, 2016

[STB]

I've seen quite a bit of negativity from people regarding the loss of the 9 trips then free package, including from some of my own friends (mostly uni students) who do much more than 10 journeys a week, one said that it'll cost them up to $15 extra a week - although I'm not sure what sort of trips and how many trips that person is doing.

[ozbob]

I've seen quite a bit of negativity from people regarding the loss of the 9 trips then free package, including from some of my own friends (mostly uni students) who do much more than 10 journeys a week, one said that it'll cost them up to $15 extra a week - although I'm not sure what sort of trips and how many trips that person is doing.

It was known that some of the high use users (~3 %) would suffer an impact.  The data modelling showed that clearly, but they have been doing rather well on the 9 and free though. The Government really wanted to make the overall fares more fair for all and that has been achieved.  Once uni students (50% concession fares) hit 8 paid journeys they really are only paying 25% of a normal fare.  The fare box drain for free journeys could not be sustained and was very unfair.

The reality is that the cost changes are not that great.  I have seen the details of one user who averages 15 journeys a week the cost impact being an additional $3 per week.

This fare structure really is only a transition to the NGT system where I expect options such as capping - various options (favours frequent users), casual trips and even point to point fares will be in the mix.

[STB]

I've seen quite a bit of negativity from people regarding the loss of the 9 trips then free package, including from some of my own friends (mostly uni students) who do much more than 10 journeys a week, one said that it'll cost them up to $15 extra a week - although I'm not sure what sort of trips and how many trips that person is doing.

It was known that some of the high use users (~3 %) would suffer an impact.  The data modelling showed that clearly, but they have been doing rather well on the 9 and free though. The Government really wanted to make the overall fares more fair for all and that has been achieved.  Once uni students (50% concession fares) hit 8 paid journeys they really are only paying 25% of a normal fare.  The fare box drain for free journeys could not be sustained and was very unfair.

The reality is that the cost changes are not that great.  I have seen the details of one user who averages 15 journeys a week the cost impact being an additional $3 per week.

This fare structure really is only a transition to the NGT system where I expect options such as capping - various options (favours frequent users), casual trips and even point to point fares will be in the mix.

Ah, my friends didn't factor in the 50% after 8 journeys, they just saw the full price and calculated it from that.  Looks like some people are freaking out a bit and missing details and jumping to conclusions, which is unfortunate and frustrating.

[cartoonbirdhaus]

There are glaring inconsistencies between the maps.

For instance, Murrarie station is shown as being in Zone 2 on the Google-based interactive map (as well as on the GCL timetable map), whilst the schematic shows it as being on the border between Zones 1 & 2. 

[James]

I've seen quite a bit of negativity from people regarding the loss of the 9 trips then free package, including from some of my own friends (mostly uni students) who do much more than 10 journeys a week, one said that it'll cost them up to $15 extra a week - although I'm not sure what sort of trips and how many trips that person is doing.

For people who do an excessive number of short-haul trips (12-15+ single-zone trips), like myself, these commuters do end up paying more.

However, half the reason I travel is because the trip is free. Why wouldn't I catch the bus 2km down the road when it is free and there's no additional cost in doing so? The removal of 9-then-free probably won't cost much more in the long run, as it will encourage me to stop doing 'useless' trips (my favourite one being going home during a one hour break at Uni).

[Stillwater]

I wonder what the new deal is for Gympie/Nambour people who catch the Tilts?  The deal is they book and pay the paper ticket fare between city and Gympie North.  Under the new fare structure, that is $28.  If this applies, it will be about $5 less than the old special fare.  Some clarification from TransLink about this special ticket arrangement would be good.

Okay, the deal is that the Brisbane to Nambour/Gympie North adult 'commuter fare' is $33 on the Bundy and Rocky Tilts and $31.85 if booking in advance, using the 'b-quick' ticket offer.

Queensland Rail Travel controls the Tilts and fares, not TransLink.

[Arnz]

I recall that was a trial at the time.  Is that paper-ticket arrangement with Queensland Rail Travel (the long distance operator) still operating?

[Stillwater]

It would seem so ..... normal fare is $41, so $33 represents a discount.  It was brought in to put more bums on seats on Tilts.  Nambour/Gympie North people find it convenient to board the Tilts and get home earlier (especially) than waiting for the Gympielander.  The Tilts 'discount' fare is about twice the go-card fare.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Queensland Rail Travel controls the Tilts and fares, not TransLink.

For those wanting to know how and why QR is able to set the price its because of a wording change in the transportation act or something that rules the long distance passenger trains are not part of the SEQ area and thus is exempt from all Translink ticketing.

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> REVEALED: How new public transport fares will impact Coast

PUBLIC transport users are going to be big winners as major changes to fare structures across south-east Queensland come into effect within hours.

From midnight, December 19, the daily rail trip to work in Brisbane will cost most Sunshine Coast commuters about $436 a year less, thanks to changes in the number of zones the long journey will comprise.

Those using a bus to get across the Sunshine Coast will also end up with more money in their pockets.

It will be possible to travel between most Coast destinations on a reduced price 'single zone' journey of $3.30 a trip (for adult users on a GoCard).

Families look to take advantage of public transport at the weekend will be the biggest winners with children under 14 using an orange GoCard able to travel free all weekend.

This means a family with two children would save about $20 on a return rail fare from Nambour Station to Roma Station on a weekend.

Rail Back on Track Sunshine Coast advocate Jeff Addison, who for many years commuted from Palmwoods to Brisbane by train said the significant changes would be a big win for commuters.

"The new fare structure is good and would be considered a lot more fair and equitable across the board," he said.

The old system of travel being free after you have amassed nine trips on public transport a week has gone out the door. Now, after amassing eight trips the cost is reduced by 50%.

"Some were rorting the old system as they were doing nine trips on the Monday morning by touching on and off and then travelling for the rest of the week free," Mr Addison said.

"This new system results in people paying effectively the same prices."

Someone like Mr Addison, who used to travel from Palmwoods to Brisbane on weekdays for 48 weeks of the year, would save $436.32 a year under the new fare structure.

"I used to travel 16 zones, now it is only six which is a big saving in the new fare structure," he said.

Mr Addison hoped the changes encourage more people to use public transport after a couple of disastrous months for Translink.

Rail commuters were left waiting, train timetables had to be significantly adjusted and 100 services were cancelled on a Friday amidst the chaos after the opening of the Redcliffe line in mid-October.

"With the rail crisis, confidence in the rail system hit the bottom," Mr Addison said.

Changes to off-peak times are also set to benefit Sunshine Coast users who touch on before 6am.

Off-peak has changed from 7pm-3am to 7pm-6am weekdays, promising extra savings.

Queensland was once billed as having the "most expensive public transport in the world" after years of successive increases.

Mr Addison said the first reduction in public transport fares was introduced by the LNP in 2014 with an across-the-board 5% reduction.

The Translink website advises the new changes will see 93% of public transport users save money.

Further incentives for those on a Newstart allowance and pensioners will be announced in the New Year.

Fairer fare highlights:

    Zone reduction: 23 zones across SEQ reduced to 8. This means commuters travelling to Brisbane for work can save around $436 a year
    Single zone travel: decreases from $3.35 (adult Go Card fare) to $3.20 and the number of zones travelling across the Coast will also reduce.
    Off-peak times: Changes from 7pm to 3am weekdays to from 7pm to 6am weekdays meaning those touching on before 6am will get a bigger saving.
    Children: Children used to get 50% off adult fare at all times, with the new fares children under 14 will also be able to travel for free on weekends.
    Incentives: Nine trips, then the rest free will change to eight trips then 50% off from December 18.

[ozbob]

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/110231

Scheduled ticketing system update and free travel period

From 10pm Sunday 18 December to 4am Monday 19 December, we will update the ticket and go card systms with the new fare and zone information to introduce Fairer Fares on Monday 19 Demceber.

During this period, free travel will apply and you will not need to touch on or off with a go card, or purchase a paper ticket.

If you have touched on and are unable to touch off due to the system outage, a fare adjustment will be automatically applied within two business days.

If you are charged a fixed fare, a fare adjustment will also be automatically applied within two business days.

For more information call our contact centre on 13 12 30.

[ozbob]

New fare structure for SEQ from today ...
> https://t.co/7PSzgSEYVa#qldpol
It must be Christmas? O_o
Finally proper fare reform, thank you! pic.twitter.com/W5PbaILEOc

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) December 18, 2016

[ozbob]

Daughter #2 touched on at Oxley at 05:44 AM

Off peak, winning!

[ozbob]

Daughter #2 touched on at Oxley at 05:44 AM

Off peak, winning!

Touched off Central 06:22 AM $ 3.12

2 Zone off peak #winning   

[ozbob]

I am advised that fare updates for rail and light rail all done. 

Some buses yet to be updated (out of service school buses mainly) so all in all a good job!

Few hundred refunds to be done from the shutdown overnight, these will be refunded overnight tonight.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

19th December 2016

Re: Early implementation of new fare structure for SEQ welcome!

Good Morning,

Overnight the SEQ go card fare system was updated for the new fare structure implemented today ( https://translink.com.au/service-updates/109216 ).

All reports so far are very positive.  Working fine and many passengers are praising already their more affordable travel today!

Well done TransLink, Cubic, and all operators for a successful transition.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

15th December 2016

Early implementation of new fare structure for SEQ welcome!

Greetings,

RAIL Back On Track welcomes the early introduction of the new fare structure for SEQ public transport, with effect from Monday 19th December 2016.

This fare structure is much more affordable, much more equitable and will support local and long distance commuting. It is a big win for our community.
It is in the best interests of all public transport users to obtain a go card for their travel. Paper tickets are still available but much more expensive than go card for equivalent travel.

It has been a long process to end up with a much improved fare structure for SEQ.  It is our earnest hope that future fare policy is removed from the politics of the day and given over to good and sound policy determinants.

Thanks to the Minister for Transport Stirling Hinchliffe, the Palaszczuk Government, TransLink & Cubic Staff for this early implementation.

Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

1. Zone Map --> https://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/plan-your-journey/maps/161219-seq-fare-zone.pdf

2. Fare Calculator --> http://jp.translink.com.au/fare-review Taskforce report (external site)

3. New SEQ Fares --> https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12583.0

[ozbob]

19th December 2016

Media Release
Minister for Transport and the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe

SEQ on-board for Fairer Fares

Passengers jumped on-board for Fairer Fares this morning to make more than 105,000 gocard trips and become part of the most significant change to South East Queensland's public transport network in more than a decade.

Minister for Transport and the Commonwealth Games, Stirling Hinchliffe said the Palaszczuk Government's Fairer Fares initiative went live from this morning's first services.

"From today, the Palaszczuk Government's Fairer Fares are delivering real cost-of living savings for passengers on the TransLink network," Minister Hinchliffe said.

"Whether you're travelling on the bus, train, ferry or a Gold Coast tram, chances are you'll be topping up your gocard less often with most commuters now saving between four and 34 percent."

Mr Hinchliffe said the introduction of Fairer Fares had required a significant technical update to TransLink's ticketing system.

"With cheaper fares across fewer travel zones, extended off-peak discounts and the start of 8 and 50 for bigger weekday savings, a large, coordinated software update of the entire TransLink ticketing system was progressively rolled out over the weekend for this morning's go live," the Minister said.

"TransLink partnered with its technical provider to install new software to all 13,500 gocard and ticket devices across South East Queensland.

"I want to thank TransLink and their software provider for their commitment to a seamless transition to a fairer deal for public transport commuters."

Minister Hinchliffe said the Palaszczuk Government's Fairer Fares were also expected to benefit motorists by helping to reduce congestion.

"Fairer Fares mean more commuters using the TransLink network and the equivalent of seven million fewer cars on our roads every year," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"It is a great day for public transport in South East Queensland."

For more details on Fairer Fares and new travel zones visit Translink at: www.translink.com.au

The key changes to SEQ's fare structure under the Palaszczuk Government's Fairer Fares package:

    Fewer zones: SEQ's 23 travel zones will be simplified to eight.
    Cheaper fares: Fares for all zones of travel will be slashed.
    Extending off-peak discount: Peak period won't start until after 6am in the morning to encourage earlier travel and give these users cheaper fares. The 20 per cent off-peak discount will now apply for all travel between 7pm and 6am, between 8.30am and 3.30pm Monday-Friday and all day on weekends.
    Kids go free on weekends: Children under the age of 15 will be able to travel free on the weekend on a child go card.
    Senior discounts: Seniors and pensioners will retain the 'One, Two FREE' travel
    8 and 50 for commuters: The Government will scrap 'Nine + FREE' and replace with 8 paid journeys and 50 per cent off subsequent journeys per week to deliver higher travel savings to more customers.
    Concessions for Queensland job seekers: TransLink will work with Federal Agencies so jobseekers on Newstart or Youth Allowance will be able to access concession fares in 2017
    Concession fares for asylum seekers: In line with other states like New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT, asylum seekers in Queensland will be able to access concession fares to use public transport in 2017.
    New Fares Advisory Panel: The Government will establish a Public Transport Fares Advisory Panel to provide independent advice on future public transport fares, products and ticketing.

Some examples of savings under the Palaszczuk Government's Fairer Fares Package:

    An average Gold Coast commuter travelling between Robina and Brisbane city would save $1196.64 a year under the changes because their 15-zone trip would become a five-zone trip.
    A Gold Coast family travelling locally, with one parent commuting between Labrador and Robina and another travelling between Labrador and Southport, will save $1196.64 a year because these four and two-zone trips would both become single zone trips.
    Weekly commuters to Brisbane City from Goodna, Strathpine or Samford will save $889.92 and commuters from Morningside or Tarragindi will save $315.36 a year.
    A weekday commuter who travels a single zone, to and from work during peak period, will save $1.30 per week with '8 and 50' combined with the cheaper zone rates. Currently they pay $30.15 per week under 'Nine and Free'. With '8 and 50' and $3.20 for a single zone of travel they will pay less, only $28.8 per week.
    A commuter travelling on public transport during peak times from Goodna to Brisbane's CBD each weekday for work, currently pays $5.96 per trip to travel across five zones and in per week with 'Nine and Free' would spend $53.64 per week. Under the changes they will only travel two zones and pay $3.90 per trip and with '8 and 50' will end up paying $35.10 per week. That's a weekly saving of $18.54 with the cheaper zone prices and also '8 and 50'.

[BrizCommuter]

With no more free journeys after 9, and unreliable weekend train services, I'll be driving a lot more on the weekends now.

[Derwan]

With no more free journeys after 9, and unreliable weekend train services, I'll be driving a lot more on the weekends now.

With a 50% discount on off-peak fares that have just been reduced, it's still cheap and convenient for me to take a bus if I head to the city or South Bank on weekends.

[BrizCommuter]

With no more free journeys after 9, and unreliable weekend train services, I'll be driving a lot more on the weekends now.

With a 50% discount on off-peak fares that have just been reduced, it's still cheap and convenient for me to take a bus if I head to the city or South Bank on weekends.

Unfortunately BrizCommuter mainly has (old) 1 or 2 zone journeys, so the fare reduction is minor. $5 parking in the CBD on weekends also makes driving attractive, especially if there is more than 1 adult in the car.

[Derwan]

Unfortunately BrizCommuter mainly has (old) 1 or 2 zone journeys, so the fare reduction is minor. $5 parking in the CBD on weekends also makes driving attractive, especially if there is more than 1 adult in the car.

Fair enough and understandable.  Enjoy the driving. 

Hopefully once the next gen ticketing system comes in, we'll have true capping to make weekend trips (within the usual zones you travel) free once again - without the "rort" of 9-and-free.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Fairer Fares package rolls out to commuters ahead of schedule

Passengers were on board for the government's new Fairer Fares package on Monday, with more than 105,000 Go Card trips made across the network.

Acting Premier Curtis Pitt said the new fare structure was successfully introduced on Monday.

"Interestingly enough, we've had some people querying, not that they're being charged too much, but that they may be getting charged too little," Mr Pitt said.

"That's obviously a great outcome if we're seeing people already seeing the benefits of cheaper fares."

On December 15, Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe announced the new fare structure would start earlier than expected.

The Fairer Fares package includes slashing travel zones from 23 to eight, extending the off-peak discount and replacing the nine-and-free deal with a new model.

Instead of free travel after nine journeys, people who travel eight journeys will receive 50 per cent off subsequent journeys per week.

During Monday morning's peak, there were more than 105,000 Go Card trips, 51,576 visits to the TransLink web page, 21,208 journeys calculated on TransLink's online journey planner, 100 customer liaison officers on the network and 1477 social media mentions.

Mr Hinchliffe said introducing the new fare structure required a significant technical update to TransLink's ticketing system.

"A large, co-ordinated software update of the entire TransLink ticketing system was progressively rolled out over the weekend for this morning's go live," he said.

"TransLink partnered with its technical provider to install new software to all 13,500 Go Card and ticket devices across south-east Queensland."

Mr Hinchliffe has previously said the plan would deliver "cost of living relief to at least 93 per cent of commuters".

But some customers, including those who regularly take advantage of the nine-and-free scheme, will pay more.

A spokesman for Mr Hinchliffe said under the new initiative about 3 per cent of passengers may experience a "modest fare increase" including an increase of about a cent for a small number of concession and off-peak journeys and a possible increase of 10 per cent on paper tickets.

"Go Card data shows in a typical week around 15 per cent of Go Card users currently make enough journeys to benefit from nine and free," the spokesman said.

"The introduction of eight-plus-50 per cent fares will mean about 4 per cent of commuters will see no change or a small decrease in the cost of their weekly commute when the decrease in fares across the entire network is considered."

The spokesman said the Fairer Fares package would mean an average saving of $1196 per year for a commuter travelling between Robina and the Brisbane CBD.

Robert Dow of commuter advocate group Rail Back on Track said a small percentage of people would pay more but most would save money.

"There's a couple of per cent of people who are high-journey users ... who have been getting a pretty good deal," Mr Dow said.

"When they did the nine paid journeys they were travelling for free ... It made it pretty unfair to people who were not in a situation to do that.

"The amount of money that was being lost to the system was unsustainable."

Mr Dow said with the reduction of fares and a 50 per cent discount after eight paid journeys, most people were better off.

Meanwhile, a new Queensland Rail summer timetable will be released on Wednesday on the TransLink website.

The Queensland Rail summer timetable – to be rolled out from December 28 to January 22 – will slash 11 per cent of services at a time when 25 per cent fewer commuters were expected to use the network.

The spokesman said the summer timetable's cuts to train timetables would mostly be outside of peak periods.

"Scheduling peak services every 15 minutes is expected to meet reduced passenger demand during the holiday period," he said.

"The summer school holiday train timetable coincides with most students returning to school on January 23."

Mr Dow called for fare prices to be reduced to off peak prices for the summer timetable due to the reduction in services.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Fairer Fares package in Queensland delivers savings for commuters

Commuters saved almost $200,000 across the TransLink network on Monday, on the first day of the Fairer Fares scheme.

The government's new Fairer Fares package started on Monday, after Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe announced it would begin earlier than the expected January 1, 2017.

Figures released to the Brisbane Times show 426,340 journeys were taken across the network on Monday.

Passengers enjoyed $191,109.07 in savings across south-east Queensland, an average of $2.20 in savings per trip.

Just 46 incorrect fares were identified during the first day of the roll out, representing 0.01 per cent of all journeys. All 46 were adjusted.

The Fairer Fares email newsletter was sent to 385,764 people on Monday and 215,707 people received a notification about the new fares through the TransLink app.

In June, Mr Hinchliffe said the reduced fares could cost the government as much as $210 million in lost revenue over the next four years.

But it was predicted there would be a small increase in patronage.

The new package includes slashing travel zones from 23 to eight, extending the off-peak discount and replacing the nine-and-free deal with a new model.

Instead of free travel after nine journeys, people who travel eight journeys will receive 50 per cent off subsequent journeys per week.

There are also cheaper fares on go cards, for example, a previous one zone trip ($3.35) or two zone trip ($3.93) are both now considered a one zone trip, at a cost of $3.20.

The old prices for travelling in three zones ($4.66), four ($5.24) and five ($5.96) are all covered under two zones at a cost of $3.90.

On Tuesday, Mr Hinchliffe said the majority of passengers were "pleasantly surprised" by the savings from the first day of the initiative.

"We know many commuters have been logging onto their go card account to compare the Palaszczuk government's new deal on fares with what they were paying last week, and they're smiling," he said.

"Over the course of a week, a month, or a year, it all adds up."

Mr Hinchliffe said 93 per cent of TransLink passengers would receive cost of living relief under the package.

[verbatim9]

Border Toll for crossing 200m with 700 Service

In regards to a zone change on the Coolangatta, Tweed Border for the 700 service I am just enquiring why it exsist for just one extra stop for the service. All the new zone maps that have been released indicates no zone change and that the Tweed Coolangatta Terminus stop is still with in Zone 6. Is this an oversight by Transkink regarding the Terminating stop or a deliberate measure to charge passengers an extra fare to go 200 metres from Coolangatta Central to Woolworths Tweed heads? Your reply and investigation would be greatly appreciated.

[SurfRail]

The zone map is misleading because it does not show Zone 7, but this is all a logical consequence of the merger of old zones 12-15 into new zone 5 and old zones 16-18 into new zone 6.  The terminating and originating stops at Tweed Heads were always treated as being zone 19, so the boundary has been maintained under the new system.

I could live with this if it was treated as being zone 6/7, and if go card was rolled out into NSW, but the NSW state government is full of visionless hacks who refuse to hand over their inadequate fewer-than-1-million-passenger-trips-per-annum network to TransLink who could administer it under the ticketing system used for the rest of the region.

[aldonius]

the NSW state government is full of visionless hacks

Except for Auntie Gladys, who can do no wrong 

[#Metro]

Just move the NSW Border back a little bit.

Oh wait, need a Border Commissioner for that...

Queensland-NSW cross-border collaboration
https://www.premiers.qld.gov.au/about-us/what-we-do/border.aspx

[James]

Stuff the damn border, just move it 20km south and be done with it.  Would save all these headaches with daylight saving, transport funding, local regulations etc. Create a no-development zone around the new border so Qld and NSW can continue to be less cooperative than some EU countries.

[aldonius]

I've been doing a fair bit of thinking on this, James, and I've concluded that at least along the coast, the border ought to be the southern edge of the Clarence watershed.

[cartoonbirdhaus]

...So Qld and NSW can continue to be less cooperative than some EU countries.

Plus Switzerland, for that matter! The Geneva metro area, and the corresponding public transport agency, spill over into France and Germany. Two different currencies too. However do they manage?

[ozbob]

Cheaper fares kick in for new year > https://t.co/FYF7gcRjbH

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) January 3, 2017

[dancingmongoose]

Just heard an ad on Spotify for TransLink. Along the lines of "With fairer fares and rezoning there's never been a better time to try public transport" lol how terribly misguided, very poor planning when rail is performing worse than it has in my living memory