Queensland fares

[ozbob]

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

#railfail has sabotaged our years of efforts for fare reform!  One of the reasons I am FURIOUS !   

I had to laugh though. The other day there was a mention of a service disruption on the Beenleigh / Gold Coast line by the announcer on  4BC I think it was, then the TransLink ad followed ( never a better time for public transport ).

I had a wry smile and chuckled ..   

[BrizCommuter]

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

Yes, quite a laughable advert. Shows how commuters are being treated with contempt!

[#Metro]

It's okay. Have a copy of the customer charter to comfort you...

[Stillwater]

I wonder just who has carriage of ensuring connectivity across the network.  New zones and fares aside, clearly the 'interim' train timetable means that a connecting bus or feeder bus connecting to the train is very hit and miss.  QR just sits within a bubble, making the trains run along the tracks and BCC is a law unto itself.  What does TransLink do these days?

[ozbob]

Dream of better days ...   

[verbatim9]

Isn't Translink slowly preparing for a statewide electronic ticketing solution? Hence all the regional areas being moved into Translink managed fares and schedules.

[#Metro]

I wonder just who has carriage of ensuring connectivity across the network.  New zones and fares aside, clearly the 'interim' train timetable means that a connecting bus or feeder bus connecting to the train is very hit and miss.  QR just sits within a bubble, making the trains run along the tracks and BCC is a law unto itself.  What does TransLink do these days?

The minister for transport should have their portfolio split into transport and a new public transport authority PTQ.

This allows Mr Hinchcliffe to keep his job, but PTQ to be spun off.

A new single purpose minister would take over PTQ.

Unlike now, where it is no standards, no boundaries, no limits, do as you please open slather, PTQ will be given enforcement powers to fine, sue, and reject contracts. It will retain fare and zone setting powers.

That is the only way you are going to get meaningful compliance - through threat of termination.

That will bring both QR and BCC into line.

All good and well to have carrot, but definitely need a big stick to complete the picture.

There must be consequences! That is the definition of responsibility.

[HappyTrainGuy]

I wonder just who has carriage of ensuring connectivity across the network.  New zones and fares aside, clearly the 'interim' train timetable means that a connecting bus or feeder bus connecting to the train is very hit and miss.  QR just sits within a bubble, making the trains run along the tracks and BCC is a law unto itself.  What does TransLink do these days?

The minister for transport should have their portfolio split into transport and a new public transport authority PTQ.

This allows Mr Hinchcliffe to keep his job, but PTQ to be spun off.

A new single purpose minister would take over PTQ.

Unlike now, where it is no standards, no boundaries, no limits, do as you please open slather, PTQ will be given enforcement powers to fine, sue, and reject contracts. It will retain fare and zone setting powers.

That is the only way you are going to get meaningful compliance - through threat of termination.

That will bring both QR and BCC into line.

All good and well to have carrot, but definitely need a big stick to complete the picture.

There must be consequences! That is the definition of responsibility.

Not really. BT/BCC is fully operating within the law. There really is no legal legislation dictating what they should do with their buses in their contracted area. Translink pays for its services (going back to Mr Emmerson when he gave its network design back to the bcc) and BCC bankrolls its other services such as the Carseldine/Taigum/Zillmere/whatever to UQ route and other services that run overtime because they don't want to modify their network (such as the 335 running 40 minutes longer than it should in morning peak hour). Private operators can do the exact same thing but they can't because they don't have the funding of a council to bankroll it. And when they want to run more services they can't because Translink refuses to pay for them (KBL and HBL have both come across this issue). And thus the circle repeats. The closest you can see of that is the Sunshine Coast Council using its pt levy to provide free public transport and new additional temporary bus routes during the Christmas/New Year holidays. You can threat BCC with the threat of termination but they hold all the cards. Try getting another bus operator to cover all the services that it provides with DDA buses. Even if you spin off PT BCC can still legally run PT which is the loophole they used for the free travel on Fridays. Not to mention a lot of the restrictions around PT vanished when Translink was absorbed back into TMR. Something which the Labor Party still hasn't addressed as it continues to play the blame game and shift the public's focus on to the railways.

This is another Northern Busway repeat. Smoke and mirrors. All the focus is on the railways at the moment. A train is 3 minutes late ohhhhh rabble this rabble that I'm getting mad but also happy face but no one is looking at the other broader issues surrounding pt which is just as bad/in fact even worse.

[#Metro]

You can threat BCC with the threat of termination but they hold all the cards. Try getting another bus operator to cover all the services that it provides with DDA buses. Even if you spin off PT BCC can still legally run PT which is the loophole they used for the free travel on Fridays. Not to mention a lot of the restrictions around PT vanished when Translink was absorbed back into TMR. Something which the Labor Party still hasn't addressed as it continues to play the blame game and shift the public's focus on to the railways.

Council's don't pay for bus operations in Hobart, Melbourne, Perth or Sydney. Who died?

If council stops providing bus services it will have a whole heap of DDA compliant buses to get rid of, and a new operator will have a need

for a whole heap of DDA compliant buses --- not hard to see that one can transfer from one operator to another.

My understanding is that the state gov't owns the buses anyway, and they are leased back to BCC.

The City of Brisbane Act is always there to be altered should BCC not be co-operative.

The fact that Brisbane City Council runs Brisbane Transport defeats the main purpose of TransLink as it was set up to do in 2004.

It has been "do as you please" for more than a decade now. That's how we got Zillmere to UQ Rocket bus etc.

This is the common theme through all of this mess with QR and Brisbane Transport - not wanting to enforce standards, rip up contracts, use the stick, etc.



Don't get me started on this "loyalty bonus" fares idea from BCC to "reward" passengers for regular travel. People (adults) do not need to be

"rewarded". It will just corrupt the fare system in the long term and become a "reward for voting a certain way" during elections.

[James]

HTG, local government is a level of government which has been legislated into existence. Any loopholes that BT could use to run PT services could be very easily sewn up, with control of buses removed from BCC.

Particularly given Qld's unicameral parliament, if the government of the day was on board with the proposal, this could happen within 12 months. Sure, you'd have the funding shortfall, but just force BCC to pay. Unlike USA v Mexico with Trump's wall, BCC is legislated into existence by the state government. Very easy to recoup funding.

[ozbob]

.@Schrinner: early feedback on #fairerfares has been positive, we look forward to seeing #bus patronage continue to grow #qt

— Team Quirk (@Team_Quirk) February 7, 2017

Yo!  Our new SEQ fare structure and GC Light Rail are our shining success stories!

[dancingmongoose]

.@Schrinner: early feedback on #fairerfares has been positive, we look forward to seeing #bus patronage continue to grow #qt

— Team Quirk (@Team_Quirk) February 7, 2017

Yo!  Our new SEQ fare structure and GC Light Rail are our shining success stories!

Erm, what does the fare review have anything to do with the BCC? Honestly we contributed more to that than they did

[ozbob]

It is a good thing that the LNP council have supported the new fare structure.  The State Opposition have said nothing.

[verbatim9]

So what's happening to access to concession fares for Job seekers? Is it still being developed? Similar set as for uni students, need to register online with a Centrelink number then once activated and linked to your Adult Go card, it will Automatically charge the concession fare?

[ozbob]

TransLink is still trying to sort it out. 

Yes, I know .. 

[dancingmongoose]

Wow. Lackluster as usual from TL

@transfixseq Hi Micheal. The zone numbers were removed when the zones were simplified and will not be replaced with the new zone numbers. -J

— TransLink (@TransLinkSEQ) February 15, 2017

[Stillwater]

Concession fares for job seekers is the practical stuff that Ms Trad should be sorting out.  It is Labor Party policy!  She ignores it.  'Lookee here, here are some plans for CRR.'  "Over hear, this is something the feds should be funding.'  Hey, look at me, look at me, here is where the LNP stuffed up.'

All a show. Just fix it, please Minister.  Or face defeat at the election, because the travelling public just want a good PT service.

[SurfRail]

Wow. Lackluster as usual from TL

@transfixseq Hi Micheal. The zone numbers were removed when the zones were simplified and will not be replaced with the new zone numbers. -J

— TransLink (@TransLinkSEQ) February 15, 2017

I don't care.  It's irrelevant information really - who else puts fare zones on their bus stop signs?

[verbatim9]

I don't think its necessary these days to paint zone numbers on bus stop signs. Can't this just be printed on timetable updates that are inserted at bus stops?

[Gazza]

Is there zone info on station signage  ?

[ozbob]

25th May 2017

Media Release
Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Jackie Trad

SEQ commuters and families save millions on public transport

The Palaszczuk Government has saved commuters across the South East more than $22 million dollars since public transport fares were slashed in December.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport Jackie Trad said that Fairer Fares had delivered more than $22 million in savings to South East Queensland commuters and families in its first four months.

"We have received an overwhelmingly positive response from the community and saved individuals and families across the region more than $22.6 million," Ms Trad said.

"We know that cost of living is a big issue – that's why we have delivered cheaper public transport to put money back in people's pockets.

"That's more money going into our economy – going into small businesses or helping with household bills.

"We've simplified zones, introduced free travel for kids on weekends and delivered concession fares for job seekers and asylum seekers.

"It's a fairer, more affordable system and it's what this Labor Government is all about.

"At least 98 per cent of customers are now enjoying reduced fares and on average, across the SEQ network, people are enjoying savings of 15% through Fairer Fares.

"The free weekend travel for children aged under 15 travelling on a child go card has been very popular, with figures showing it has encouraged greater patronage on our network.

"In the period December 19 2016 to April 30 2017, more than 238,000 passenger trips have been eligible for this Fairer Fares travel incentive which has saved families more than $339,000."

Customers have also embraced the Government's decision to extend the 20 per cent off-peak discount period.

"In the first four months of Fairer Fares we saw more than 760,000 eligible weekday off-peak trips made, this is more than 90,000 more trips than for the same period last year," Ms Trad said.

"Fairer Fares has delivered more equitable fares to customers across the network as well as sharing the savings with a larger group of customers.

"We want to make public transport as affordable and accessible as possible because we know that is critical to connecting people to job opportunities, education and their community. That's what Fairer Fares delivers."

For more information on public transport visit www.translink.com.au or phone 13 12 30, anytime.

ENDS

[ozbob]

11th October 2017

Media Release
Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Jackie Trad

Fairer Fares saves commuters more than $48 million

The Palaszczuk Government's move to slash public transport fares is delivering real cost of living savings for Queenslanders.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said since Fairer Fares was introduced in December 2016, commuters throughout South East Queensland had saved more than $48 million.

"More than 114 million trips across the South East Queensland public transport network were made during this time — and were eligible for savings," Ms Trad said.

"Commuters are not only saving money, but are also more satisfied with public transport affordability.

"TransLink's customer satisfaction rating for affordability is at its highest level since 2010-11 when reporting began, tracking at close to 60 per cent since February.

"This shows that passengers continue to appreciate the cost-of-living benefits we have delivered by reducing public transport fares.

Under Fairer Fares, the public transport network was simplified, with the number of zones reduced from 23 to eight.

Cheaper concession fares have also been delivered for job seekers receiving Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance, as well as Asylum seekers who reside in Queensland.

"Almost 5000 job seekers and about 500 asylum seekers have been approved for concession fares, each saving on average $1.21 for each trip taken," Ms Trad said.

"These groups have saved more than $352,000 and have made more than 291,000 trips.

"Our free weekend travel initiative for children aged under 15 has been popular with families making more than 493,000 trips and saving $700,000.

"And 1.5 million more journeys have qualified for '8 and 50 per cent' than would have benefitted from the previous Government's 'nine and free' policy.

"The Palaszczuk Government has made public transport cheaper and easier to use than ever before.

"Fairer Fares is putting money back into the pockets of South East Queenslanders and I look forward to its continuing success."

Ends

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard
https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2017/2017_10_11_DAILY.pdf

Ministerial Statements

11th October 2017

Fairer Fares

Hon. JA TRAD (South Brisbane—ALP) (Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport and Minister for
Infrastructure and Planning) (2.12 pm): The Palaszczuk government's Fairer Fares is delivering real
cost-of-living savings and is boosting the convenience and appeal of public transport. I am delighted to
update the House that this package has helped save more than $48 million for South-East Queensland
commuters since its introduction up until last month. More than 114 million trips across the South-East
Queensland public transport network were made during this time and were eligible for savings.

Commuters are not only saving money; they are also far more satisfied with public transport
affordability. TransLink's customer satisfaction rating for affordability is at its highest level since
2010-11, when reporting began, tracking at close to 60 per cent since February. This shows that
passengers continue to appreciate the cost-of-living benefits we have delivered by reducing public
transport fares.

Under Fairer Fares we not only cut the fares but also simplified the network, reducing the number
of zones from 23 to eight.

Mr Minnikin interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Member for Chatsworth, you are now warned under standing order 253A. If you
continue I will take the appropriate action.

Ms TRAD: We also introduced new concessions. From 3 April 2017 this government introduced
concession fares for jobseekers receiving Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance as well as for asylum
seekers who reside in Queensland. Almost 5,000 jobseekers and about 5,000 asylum seekers have
been approved for concession fares, each saving on average $1.21 for each trip taken. These groups
have saved more than $352,000 and have made more than 291,000 trips.

Fairer Fares also introduced free weekend travel for children aged under 15 years travelling on
a child go card. This has been popular, with 493,000 trips and $700,000 worth of savings. Customers
have also embraced the government's decision to extend the 20 per cent off-peak discount period. This
group of customers saved over $1 million, with more than 1.54 million eligible weekday off-peak trips
being made. Some 1.5 million more journeys will have qualified for 'eight and 50 per cent off' than would
be benefited from the previous LNP government's 'nine and free' policy.

The Palaszczuk government has made public transport cheaper and easier to use their ever
before. Fairer Fares is putting money back into the pockets of South-East Queenslanders. I look forward
to its continued success.

[BrizCommuter]

Any word on 2018 fares? Surely fares can't be increased whilst Rail Fail persists (which it will do throughout 2018).

[ozbob]

Any word on 2018 fares? Surely fares can't be increased whilst Rail Fail persists (which it will do throughout 2018).

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Cost of public transport down more than 10 per cent in Brisbane

In numbers

    decrease in the cost of transport fares in Brisbane.
    11.3%

    increase in urban fares in Melbourne.

    increase in Sydney.

The cost of public transport in Brisbane has plummeted, while fares interstate have soared.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows the cost of urban transport fares in Brisbane decreased by 11.3 per cent in the September 2017 quarter, compared with the same quarter in 2016.

The cost of public transport is down 11.3 per cent in Brisbane.

In the same quarter, the amount people were paying in Melbourne increased 4 per cent, Perth increased 3.8 per cent, Sydney increased 6.4 per cent, Adelaide increased 2.2 per cent and Hobart increased 3 per cent.

The statistics are from an ABS dataset used to calculate the consumer price index (CPI), or how much a "basket of goods" costs in each state and territory.

Brisbane fares swung into negative territory from the March 2017 quarter, following the introduction of the government's Fairer Fares package, with an 11.5 per cent decrease on the March 2016 quarter.

For the previous four quarters in Brisbane - March to December 2016 - fares remained steady from the year prior.

There was a continuous string of increases in the cost of fares in Brisbane from September 2005 to December 2014 - compared with the year prior.

The Palaszczuk government won power at the January 2015 election.

Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Jackie Trad said the Palaszczuk government was committed to keeping fares low to ease cost-of-living pressures.

"The ABS data shows a huge 11.3 per cent decrease in fares in Queensland delivered through our Fairer Fares program, which slashed fares and simplified zones," Ms Trad said.

"This translates to significant savings for commuters in south-east Queensland, with Queensland the only state to see fares decrease."

Ms Trad said that since Fairer Fares came into effect, commuters made more than 119 million trips across the south-east Queensland network, saving more than $51 million.

Fairer Fares reduced zones from 23 to eight, extended the off-peak discount and introduced free travel for children on weekends.

Real shame #railfail sabotaged the new fare structure.  5 years work sabotaged ...

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2017/2017_10_26_DAILY.pdf

Ministerial Statements

Fairer Fares

Hon. JA TRAD (South Brisbane—ALP) (Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport and Minister for
Infrastructure and Planning) (9.49 am): The Palaszczuk government's Fairer Fares policy is delivering
real savings for commuters across South-East Queensland. I can report to the House that, since we
slashed fares, commuters have made almost 120 million trips across the South-East Queensland public
transport network, saving more than $51 million. We know that this is making a real difference for
commuters, with satisfaction on our transport network the highest it has been since 2012.

Other elements of our Fairer Fares policy are proving just as popular and beneficial for
commuters. Free weekend travel for children aged under 15 travelling on a child go card has been very
popular, with figures showing that it has encouraged greater patronage on our network. As at
30 September this year, this group saved almost $800,000 in conducting more than 548,000 trips. On
average, 6,900 child go card trips were conducted on the network each day of the weekend. This
equates to an additional 971 trips per day, or an increase of 15.6 per cent.

We have also seen a 30 per cent increase in the number of customers benefiting from our new
frequent travel incentive, with 8.5 million passenger journeys attracting this saving. Almost two million
more journeys will have qualified for the eight and half price policy than would have benefited from the
LNP's nine and free policy. We have also extended eligibility for concessions so that even more people
can access cheaper public transport fares.

Since the new concessions were introduced, almost 5,000 jobseekers and almost 500 asylum
seekers had been approved for concession fares, each saving on average $1.20 for each trip taken on
our public transport network. As at 30 September, these groups had saved over $460,000 and made
over 383,000 trips. Customers have also embraced the government's decision to extend the 20 per
cent off-peak discount period. This group of customers saved almost $1.2 million, with more than
1.73 million eligible weekday off-peak trips being made.

Today, I can also inform the House that new data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics
has revealed that the Palaszczuk government is leading the nation. In Queensland, public transport
fares have plummeted while in every other state they have been increasing above the rate of CPI.
I table a graph from the ABS demonstrating the decrease in public transport fares.
Tabled paper: Document, undated, titled 'CPI Transport Fare Prices'.

The new ABS data shows a huge 11.3 per cent decrease in public transport costs in Queensland
delivered through our Fairer Fares program, which slashed fares and simplified zones. That translates
to significant savings for commuters in South-East Queensland, with Queensland the only state to see
the cost of fares decrease. The Palaszczuk government is delivering real cost-of-living savings for
households. Only this government can be trusted to deliver reforms that make a real difference to
Queenslanders.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/QldGreens/status/923433531744829440

[SurfRail]

Unfortunately, patronage has dropped by 3-4% network wide too, so they have completely squibbed any benefit the fare package might have in terms of patronage uplift because of the other persistent issues (rail meltdown, failure to invest in better bus services beyond band-aid type improvements, next to no new vehicles being delivered except for Brisbane which is 100% low floor already, etc).

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/QldGreens/status/923433531744829440

^ I queried this as to whether or not the effect of the new fare structure had been factored in ( a - 11.3% reduction ).

Was advised that was only on ABS data up 2016.  So essentially it is not correct, really needs adjustment for that.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Call to freeze fares after slump in SEQ train patronage

Queensland's train fares need to be frozen until the end of 2019 a rail lobby group says after Translink confirmed 10 million fewer passengers caught the train in 2016/17 than eight years ago.

Public transport lobby group Rail Back on Track said the matter was now urgent and change was badly needed.

"What we would like to see in this election period is a commitment to freeze public transport fares for two years, for 2018 and 2019," spokesman Robert Dow said.

"Given we have a new ticketing system coming into place in two years, we think the best thing to do is to freeze fares for two years.

"By that time, 2020 the new ticketing system would be ready to be implemented."

Mr Dow said the 2014 decision to increase fares by 7.5 per cent, at double the rate of inflation, was a major mistake.

"In some cases it was 15 per cent. It was pretty horrendous. But the net effect was it really did make public transport less attractive," Mr Dow said.

Subsequent bus reviews also neglected to include bus feeder services to rail stations.

"Rail needs proper feeder bus services," Mr Dow said.

On Wednesday, deputy opposition leader and infrastructure spokeswoman Deb Frecklington said the number of Queensland Rail Citytrain passengers had dropped by 10 million passengers since 2008.

Ms Frecklington made the comment during debate over south-east Queensland's $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project.

Labor has committed to fund $2.8 billion over four years to start the project, while the LNP says it has genuine questions over the number of customers and the benefits it will bring.

Business groups have complained the lengthy delays in the project, which is supported in broad terms by the LNP, Labor and the Greens but rejected by One Nation, was hurting investor confidence in Queensland.

During the debate, Ms Frecklington said Citytrain passenger numbers had dropped, not grown.

"Labor have based their projections on the number of train passengers doubling over the next 10 years," she said.

"However, the reality is passenger numbers have dropped by 10 million people over the last eight years."

According to TransLink, Citytrain's annual rail patronage in 2008-09 was 60.9 million trips, which had dropped to 51.02 million trips in 2016-17.

But the introduction of the Go Card and the removal of paper tickets have given Translink a more accurate way of measuring passenger numbers and reduced "overstated" customer figures.

"The continued increase in Go Card usage and phasing out of periodical paper from January 2011 has resulted in more accurate counting of passenger trips," Translink said.

"In previous years the use of paper tickets made it very difficult to accurately reflect passenger behaviour (and) activity.

"With progressive migration to go card technology a greater level of accuracy can be achieved in both counting passenger trips and forecasting future passenger activity.

"Patronage is also affected by a number of factors including weather events, pricing, cost of fuel, ease of parking and employment levels in the CBD."

The big price rise in January 2014, when fares increased by 7.5 per cent, or twice the inflation rate, made Brisbane's public transport the most expensive in Australia.

TransLink predicted rail passenger numbers would slowly increase.

However data in TransLink's quarterly tracker from March to June 2017 showed a 4 per cent drop in train passengers, because it included Easter.

"This is a decrease of 4.3 per cent or about 2 million trips compared with the same period the previous year," the report says.

TransLink says this can be attributed to Easter occurring in March last year (quarter three) and in April this year (quarter four).

"This caused less trips to be conducted in the fourth quarter this year compared to the fourth quarter last year," Translink said.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

3rd November 2017

Call to freeze public transport fares for 2018 & 2019

Good Morning,

Today we call for a committment from all the political parties and independents to support a fare freeze for public transport fares for 2018 and 2019.

[ Brisbanetimes --> Call to freeze fares after slump in SEQ train patronage ]

The failed five year path ( 2010 - 2015 ) for TransLink SEQ resulted in real fare increases of greater than 100%.  The effect of this was devastating, it stopped the steady patronage gain that had been occurring and made road congestion a lot worse than it needed to be as people abandoned public transport.  Fare cuts by the former Newman LNP Government (5%) were are a small help.  The new fare structure for TransLink SEQ - Fairer Fares package has resulted in a further 11.3% fare cost reduction but still more needs to done. The failure of the Bus Network Reform in 2013 did not help either.

The  subsequent collapse of the rail system ( rail fail ) and the implementation of the reduced service timetables, often with broken connections rail/rail and rail/bus and plagued by constant disruption, particularly due to ' mechanical issues ' has further driven people off public transport [ See > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1862.msg199996#msg199996 ].  Last afternoon for example, two Brisbane to Nambour services (viz. the 4pm and the 5.24pm) were cancelled due to mechanical issues.  This is devastating for an already reduced frequency service.  There were other cancellations on other lines too.

It is worth noting that outside of SEQ the Q-connect urban bus networks only ever had CPI fare increases during the period that SEQ suffered the massive fare increases.  Regional urban bus fares are much better priced as a consequence.

Sitting back and pretending that all is well will not cut the mustard. 
Time for real policy committment to turn around the mess that is the public transport network in SEQ.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/926124981892689921

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/926132889007226880

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/926159823787274240

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane public transport is about to get more expensive

It is about to get more expensive to catch buses, trains and ferries in Brisbane, with some commuters to pay up to 29₵ more per trip later this month.

From January 22, changes to south-east Queensland fares will be based on the Brisbane Consumer Price Index, with most commuters paying between 5₵ and 12₵ extra per trip.

TransLink deputy director general Matthew Longland said the 1.5 per cent increase reflected the increased cost of providing transport services, such as driver and support staff wages, fuel and vehicle costs.

"Even with the modest CPI rise, fares in Queensland will still be cheaper than they were in 2014," Mr Longland said.

"The cost of a one-zone adult Go Card journey will increase by 5₵ to $3.25.

"The same trip was $3.35 back in November 2014."

A four-zone journey will increase by 12₵ to $7.97.

For commuters travelling between five and eight zones, the fare rise will be between 15₵ and 29₵.

However, Mr Longland said commuters would still be paying less than they were before TransLink introduced the redesigned Fairer Fares model in December, 2016.

"The cost of an adult zone two journey into the city during peak period will be $3.96, compared with $5.96 if Fairer Fares had not been implemented," he said.

"Despite these changes, fares in the south-east are still 42₵, or 13.5 per cent, lower on average per eligible adult trip than they were prior to the Palaszczuk government's introduction of Fairer Fares."

Mr Longland said south-east Queensland commuters had saved more than $66 million under the Fairer Fares package, which also included freezing fares until the end of 2017, referenced in the 2017-18 budget.

He said using CPI as a measurement for future fare adjustments was recommended in the 2016 Independent Fare Review Taskforce Report.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

8th January 2018

SEQ TransLink fares to increase 1.5%

Greetings,

Brisbanetimes has reported that fares for public transport in SEQ will increase 1.5% in line with the Consumer Price Index from 22nd January 2018. ( Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane public transport is about to get more expensive )

At least we are now avoiding the punishing fare increases of the previous failed five year fare path (2010 - 2015, 15% plus annual increases).

Still, these small increases will grate with many considering the service reductions the public has put up with now since September 2016.

Also grating is paying full peak fares for what is essentially off peak frequency during peak times with the ' Summer Holiday ' reduced service timetable.

The sooner public transport administration and delivery is removed from DTMR the better for all.  They deliver much failure sadly.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/950252627660386304

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/950254424189911041

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/950255328205062144

[ozbob]

TransLink New fares for 2018

>> https://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/fares-and-zones/new-fares-2018



Concession

[verbatim9]

At least it's to CPI. Yep wages! Not surprising. Still advocating for Driver Only Operation where possible on the Network. Gold Coast and Airport lines by 2020?

[ozbob]

Yo. We pushed hard on the Fare review taskforce that all future fare increases be tied to CPI.  So I expected it, although during the #qldvotes campaign we called for a fare freeze.  Happy though that the fare review taskforce recommendations are being followed.

[BrizCommuter]

Any fare increase this side of the full Oct 2016 timetable being operated is taking the p%ss!