Airport fare potential miscalculation?

[ozbob]

Thanks Bnetrans for doing up this information.

It shows clearly the situation.

Regards
Bob

[bnetrans]

In comparing the Airtrain and Translink fares, it should be kept in mind that the Airtrain fare also has restrictions that the Translink fare doesn't:

the Airtrain tickets are endorsed rail/railbus ONLY

http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p1174807.htm

That is, with the Translink fare (or GO Card), you can continue your journey by transferring to a bus or ferry, whereas with an Airtrain fare, you'd have to pay the fare to start a new journey.

Combined with the other benefits of the GO Card (possible frequent user discount, as well as the flexibility of being able to change your destination after boarding), it is clear that the GO Card is better value than Airtrain fares for the "non-Airtrain" portion of your journey.


The only situation I can see where the Airtrain fare could be better value would be if you were to take advantage of the "Airtrain Shopper Special" to DFO (free return trip offer).  (Note that this is only available for paper tickets - not GO Card)
http://www.airtrain.com.au/dfo.php

[bnetrans]

As explained above, best value is obtained by using the GO Card and breaking your journey somewhere between Eagle Junction and South Brisbane on your way to/from the airport using the Airtrain.

If you have to change trains (eg, at Eagle Junction, Bowen Hills, or Central), this is relatively straightforward - whilst waiting for your connecting train, perhaps whilst changing platforms, Touch Off, wait 10+ seconds (for good measure), then Touch On.

However, if you're travelling on a through service to/from the Gold Coast line (no change of trains), what are your options?


As the experience of RiiSensei shows, attempting to Touch Off and Touch On while the train is stopped at Eagle Junction is not likely to work...

on a trip from Helensvale to Domestic Airport on Tuesday, decided to save some money by jumping off at Eagle Junction and touching off and back on again. Got the right door, jumped out and touched off 2 cards, then tried to touch on again. Kept coming up "already touched".

http://www.railpage.com.au/f-p1174807.htm


Some possible solutions:


(1) Use paper ticket instead of GO Card for "Airtrain portion".  This way, you don't need to Touch Off then (after waiting a certain amount of time) Touch On, you only need to Touch Off (if going to the Airport) or Touch On (if coming from the Airport).  From the airport, buy a paper ticket, or order one in advance online (10% off) for Airport->South Brisbane.  Touch On wherever you can between Eagle Junction and South Brisbane (Eagle Junction and Bowen Hills both have GO Card readers on the platform (as well as Central, see below)).  Heading to the airport, I don't think an AVVM at, say, Robina, would sell a South Brisbane->Airport ticket, but maybe the ticket office (if the station is attended) could.  If flying into then back out of BNE on a certain date, buy a return ticket at the airport (or online).  Alternatively, there is the book of 10 tickets.  I've heard that there's an information kiosk on the Queen St mall selling these separately at a discount.


(2) Touch Off then Touch On at the ANZAC Square pedestrian subway exit (in the middle of the platform) during the 2-minute layover at Central station.  The subway exit might not be open at some off-peak times, but if it's available, you can quickly Touch Off/On without needing to go upstairs and outside.


(3) Use a second GO Card for the "Airtrain portion".  This way, instead of needing to Touch Off then (after waiting a certain amount of time) Touch On, you would Touch Off with one GO Card then (without waiting) Touch On with the other.

[dwb]

BNE's fare table makes it so much easier to understand!!

So this begs the question, WHY DON'T THEY CHARGE YOU A GATE FEE TO ACCESS THE AIRPORT STATIONS + a standard Translink single fare irrespective of where your journey is from rather than the way it is calculated now???

The only issue would be that the $14.00 for central stations is essentially a freebie from TL as I can almost bet Airtrain gets all $14.00, so if you put the Airport in zone 2, you'd effectively be adding the cost of two zones to the current ticket price, as I can't imagine Airtrain would concede this bit off the $14 nor would TL. Yet the only way TL integrated any of the fares in the first place was making concessions such as this!!

What could happen is the Go card treats both airport stations as zone 2 and your journey is calculated just like any other journey BUT that when you tag off at either airport station it refunds you the amount of a 2 zone ticket (irrespective of where you came from) and then charges you the gate fare of $14.00.  But how would they then charge you for travel between the two airport stations?! 

Actually what I'd really like to know is what currently happens if you tag on at central, tag off at International, then realise you were meant to go to Domestic, so you tag back on at International then tag off at Domestic?? Is it a continuation of travel?

And Bob, have you heard back from OFT??? It seems TL advertising approach has gotten a bit clearer and they are now quite specific about the cost comparison being against singles (20% disc) and they seem to have added some information to the brochure about Airtrain.

[ozbob]

Not yet Dwb, other than a letter clarifying the point that the OFT was the correct office to investigate my complaint.  I have been advised that the matter is proceeding.

Still waiting for the final outcome. I have noticed some changes in the advertising too!

Cheers
Bob

[ozbob]

I have received a response to my complaint concerning the 20% discount not being applicable on connecting Airtrain services from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).  The OFT have said that they have written to the TTA suggesting that it would serve the interest of consumers to clearly state in all Go Card advertising that an unbroken journey excludes the discount. 

Which has been our whole point in this sorry saga. 

Still the fundamental issue remains, viz.  Why is it the Airtrain gets an additional revenue component from travel on the public Translink network if a rail user uses a go card in a continuous journey or buys a paper continuous ticket?

The fact that it is easily avoided by doing a two step ticketing process just highlights the absurd nature of the rip-off.

[ozbob]

Media Release 20 February 2009

SEQ:  Fares for connecting Citytrain services  with the Airtrain still don't add up!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has previously highlighted that single ticket and go card continuous journeys to the Brisbane Airport from suburban and urban railway stations cost more than the sum of the individual fares.  For example, the cost of a single ticket to the Brisbane Airport (Domestic or International) from Oxley is $18.60 according to the TransLink journey planner (1) for paper and the go card. The fare from Oxley to the CBD is $2.72 for a go card, $3.40 for paper, and the Airtrain fare from the CBD to the airport is $14, a total of $16.72 for a go card.  Why the fare of $18.60 for a single journey, paper and go card? This is a farce and smells of profiteering, and makes a mockery of the integrated ticketing concept and seamless travel to the airport.  It is also an example of Go card travel not receiving the promised 20% discount or better, on the TransLink Citytrain leg of the journey.  'Smart State' commuters now break their journey at the CBD stations to stop being ripped off.  People who do a continuous journey should actually receive a discount rather than an added fare cost as it saves operators money.  This is a perverse practice the way commuters are slugged the extra fares.  A detailed analysis of these additional fares can be viewed at this web link  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1304.msg8741#msg8741

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"People using the Airtrain would be best advised to purchase a single ticket to Central, or use a go card to travel to Central. Touch off if using go card, and then buy another ticket from Central to the Airport. The savings can be substantial."

"This ticket pricing circus is again a good example of what is wrong with public transport in south-east Queensland! It is a further disincentive for people not to use public transport.  It puts railway staff in a no-win situation when challenged by commuters as to the inequity of the fare structure."

"Why is it the Airtrain gets an additional revenue component from travel on the public Translink Citytrain network if a rail user uses a go card in a continuous journey or buys a paper continuous ticket?  This additional fare impost DOES NOT apply to connecting bus or ferry travel.  Why are only rail commuters slugged?"

"The Minister for Transport's office has been reported as stating that we need to encourage people to use public transport.  This fare structure for connecting rail travel to Brisbane airport is anti-public transport, another case of Government rhetoric not matching reality.  We call on the Minister to fix this fare anomaly as a matter of urgency."

"The sooner the Airtrain line is brought back into public ownership and integrated properly as part of the normal TransLink network in terms of fares and timetables, the sooner the road congestion issues to the airport will be over (2)."

References:

1.   http://www.transinfo.qld.gov.au/   

2.   http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=720.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[GOody]

Congrats on the quoting/article in the Courier-Mail. Top spot on the front page of their website at the moment:

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25096055-952,00.html

Fare rip-off for rail travellers to Brisbane Airport
February 23, 2009 11:00pm

TRAVELLERS are being ripped off up to $7.50 when they travel to the airport because Airtrain and TransLink cannot agree on a fare structure.

Now that the pollies are in Election mode, and sensitive to negative press, perhaps something good will happen soon!!!

[ozbob]

Thanks GOody, and many thanks to bnetrans for the fare table which has helped to further crystallise the issue.  Excellent!

From the Courier Mail click here!

Fare rip-off for rail travellers to Brisbane Airport

Fare rip-off for rail travellers to Brisbane Airport
Article from: The Courier-Mail

Ursula Heger

February 23, 2009 11:00pm

TRAVELLERS are being ripped off up to $7.50 when they travel to the airport because Airtrain and TransLink cannot agree on a fare structure.
The Courier-Mail can reveal commuters are being forced to pay more for travelling directly from suburban stations to the airport, but both TransLink and Airtrain say they are powerless to fix the problem.

A difference in the way fares are calculated means it would be cheaper to travel from some rail stations to Central station and then buy a second ticket to the airport, than to buy a ticket directly to the domestic or international terminal.

The problem is caused by a difference in fare structure.

TransLink calculates fares depending on which zone a commuter travels from, but Airtrain uses a "point-to-point structure".

For example, a commuter travelling from Gympie North will pay $33.70 to travel direct to the airport, or $26.22 for two tickets if they stop at Central station.

Airtrain general manager Chris Basche said Airtrain was aware of the problem.

"It is just the way it is and it is something that we are trying to work out," Mr Basche said.

But, he said, both providers were focused on rolling out the Go Card ticketing equipment, rather than fixing the discrepancy.

"At the moment both Airtrain and TransLink are working on the Go Card implementation," Mr Basche said. "They are rolling out the new ticket operator console machines which is taking a considerable amount of time.

"We are waiting for those resources to be put in place."

But TransLink yesterday denied the problem was due to Go Card rollout, and said they could not force Airtrain to change its pricing structure.

"Airtrain is a privately owned company that independently sets their own fares above the TransLink fare," he said.

"TransLink is a third party which collects only the standard TransLink fare for those using Airtrain."

Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said the two-step process of getting a cheaper fare made a mockery of seamless travel on the network.

"It is not good enough that they are promoting a seamless ticketing system, and if you travel on it you are paying more," Mr Dow said.

[ozbob]

Media Release 17 March 2009

SEQ:  ALP, LNP, Greens?  Will you fix the Airtrain fare rip-off please?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has previously highlighted that single ticket and go card continuous journeys to the Brisbane Airport from suburban and urban railway stations cost more than the sum of the individual fares.  For example, the cost of a single ticket to the Brisbane Airport (Domestic or International) from Oxley is $18.60 according to the TransLink journey planner (1) for paper and the go card. The fare from Oxley to the CBD is $2.72 for a go card, $3.40 for paper, and the Airtrain fare from the CBD to the airport is $14, a total of $16.72 for a go card.  Why the fare of $18.60 for a single journey, paper and go card? This is a farce and smells of profiteering, and makes a mockery of the integrated ticketing concept and seamless travel to the airport.  It is also an example of Go card travel not receiving the promised 20% discount or better, on the TransLink Citytrain leg of the journey.  'Smart State' commuters now break their journey at the CBD stations to stop being ripped off.  People who do a continuous journey should actually receive a discount rather than an added fare cost as it saves operators money.  This is a perverse practice the way commuters are slugged the extra fares.  A detailed analysis of these additional fares can be viewed at this web link  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1304.msg8741#msg8741

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"People using the Airtrain would be best advised to purchase a single ticket to Central, or use a go card to travel to Central. Touch off if using go card, and then buy another ticket from Central to the Airport. The savings can be substantial."

"This ticket pricing circus is again a good example of what is wrong with public transport in south-east Queensland! It is a further disincentive for people not to use public transport.  It puts railway staff in a no-win situation when challenged by commuters as to the inequity of the fare structure."

"Why is it the Airtrain gets an additional revenue component from travel on the public Translink Citytrain network if a rail user uses a go card in a continuous journey or buys a paper continuous ticket?  This additional fare impost DOES NOT apply to connecting bus or ferry travel.  Why are only rail commuters slugged?"

"We need to encourage people to use public transport.  This fare structure for connecting rail travel to Brisbane airport is anti-public transport, another case of rhetoric not matching reality.  We call on the authorities to fix this fare anomaly as a matter of urgency."

"The sooner the Airtrain line is brought back into public ownership and integrated properly as part of the normal TransLink network in terms of fares and timetables, the sooner the road congestion issues to the airport will be over (2)."

References:

1.   http://www.transinfo.qld.gov.au/ 

2.   http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=720.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Off to Melbourne, headed out to BNE on the air train IMU166.

Touched at Oxley, touched off Central.  Back on continuation of travel, touched off at the airport.  Correct fares debited  

Kind of crazy we need to go these lengths ....

photos:

IMU 166 at BNE





Photographs R Dow 9th July 2009

[ozbob]

Media Release 16 July 2009

SEQ:  Airtrain fare rip off alive and well

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has again highlighted the blatant fare rip off for unsuspecting  commuters who travel as a single journey from railway stations on the TransLink network, as compared to normal fare prices.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"If you check the online fare calculator on the Airtrain web site, the cost of a single adult journey from Oxley to the Airport is $19.10, or if purchased online $17.19 (1)"

"Smart commuters do it differently. By breaking the journey into two legs, the correct fares for the first leg for example from Oxley to Central is charged, and then subsequently by either purchasing a ticket or touching with go card as a continuation of travel for the CBD to Airport leg the correct fare is charged.  The adult fare from Oxley to Central on go card is $2.72.  The Airtrain fare from the CBD is $14.50.  The correct fare go card fare is therefore $14.50 plus $2.72 for a total of $17.22 compared to the Airtrain single journey fare of $19.10.  This rip off is confirmed on the Translink journey planner as well (2)."

"The cost for a concession fare from Oxley to the Airport is $17.40 according to the Airtrain fare calculator (1).  The cost of travel if a concession go card user touches on at Oxley, and touches off at Central, then touches back on as a continuation of travel is $1.36 plus $14.50 which totals $15.86.  Why are concession holders blatantly ripped off?"

"RAIL Back On Track has pointed out this situation with fare rip offs previously (3).  Why is it that Government and TransLink are happy to allow unsuspecting commuters to be stung?"

"People using the Airtrain would be best advised to purchase a single ticket to Central, or use a go card to travel to Central. Touch off if using go card, and then buy another ticket from Central to the Airport or touch back on as a continuation of travel if using go card. The savings can be substantial."

"This ticket pricing circus is again a good example of what is wrong with public transport in south-east Queensland! It is a further disincentive for people not to use public transport.  It puts railway staff in a no-win situation when challenged by commuters as to the inequity of the fare structure."

"Why is it the Airtrain gets an additional revenue component from travel on the public Translink Citytrain network if a rail user uses a go card in a continuous journey or buys a paper continuous ticket?  This additional fare impost DOES NOT apply to connecting bus or ferry travel.  Why are only rail commuters slugged?"

"We need to encourage people to use public transport.  This fare structure for connecting rail travel to Brisbane airport is anti-public transport, another case of rhetoric not matching reality.  We call on the authorities to fix this fare anomaly as a matter of urgency."

"The sooner the Airtrain line is brought back into public ownership and integrated properly as part of the normal TransLink network in terms of fares and timetables, the sooner the road congestion issues to the airport will be over (4)."

Reference:

1.   http://www.airtrain.com.au/fare_process.php

2.   http://www.translink.com.au/

3.   http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1304.0

4.   http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=720.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

From the Satellite 29th July 2009 page 3

Commuters fork out



Thanks for highlighting this Satellite!

[ozbob]

Further discussion --> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3091.0

[ozbob]

Media Release 28 December 2009

SEQ:  Airtrain fare con and the new fare strategy, rip-off continues, surprise!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has long highlighted the blatant fare rip off for unsuspecting  commuters who travel as a single journey from railway stations on the TransLink network and then the Airtrain from CBD to the airport, as compared to normal fare prices (1). This hits unsuspecting TransLink customers with extra fares which can be avoided by breaking the journey into two stages.  How bizarre for a modern public transport system in that a single journey costs more than two separate journeys? The fact that government appears to be happy that hapless commuters continue being slugged extra as evidenced by a lack of action to address this rip off  is also cause for concern.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"For example, if you check the online fare calculator on the Airtrain web site, the cost of a single adult go card journey from Nambour to the Brisbane Airport post is $28.70, after the 4th January 2010 it will be $30.40 (2).

"Smart commuters do it differently. By breaking the journey into two legs, the correct fares for the first leg for example from Nambour to Eagle Junction is charged, and then subsequently by either purchasing a ticket or touching with go card as a continuation of travel from Eagle Junction to Airport leg the correct fare is charged.  The adult fare from Nambour to Eagle Junction on go card is $8.06, after the 4th January fares will be Adult  go card off-peak $8.73 Adult  go card $9.70 Adult  single $14.10 .  The Airtrain fare from Eagle Junction to Airport is $14.50.  The present correct fare go card fare is therefore presently $14.50 plus $8.06 for a total of $22.56 compared to the Airtrain single journey go card fare of $28.70.  After the 4th of January it gets worse! If a person touches on at Nambour travels to Eagle Junction, touches off and then touches back on they will only pay $23.23 off peak, or $24.20 peak.  Contrast this to the single rip off fare of $30.40. This rip off is confirmed on the Translink journey planner (2)."

"RAIL Back On Track has pointed out this situation with  the fare rip off previously many times (3).  Why is it that Government and TransLink are happy to allow unsuspecting commuters to be stung?"

"With the new high cost fare strategy rolling out from the 4th January 2010 this fare rip off continues.  Go card users will not be debited with the correct off peak fares for the non-Airtrain legs of their journeys as applicable as well."

"Presently people using the Airtrain would be best advised to use a go card to Central (or Eagle Junction from the north). Touch off if using go card, and then buy another ticket from Central (or Eagle Junction) to the Airport or touch back on as a continuation of travel if using go card. The savings can be substantial as demonstrated."

"This ticket pricing circus is again a good example of what is wrong with public transport in south-east Queensland! It is a further disincentive for people not to use public transport.  It puts railway staff in a no-win situation when challenged by commuters as to the inequity of the fare structure."

"Why is it that Airtrain gets an additional revenue component from travel on the public Translink Citytrain network if a rail user uses a go card in a continuous journey or buys a paper continuous ticket?  This additional fare impost DOES NOT apply to connecting bus or ferry travel.  Why are only rail commuters slugged?  Airtrain can charge what they like for travel on the line from Eagle Junction to the Airports, but why is there is a rip-off fare for travel on public parts of the network paid for by the taxpayer? The fact that it can be correctly and easily avoided by doing a two stage journey highlights the absolute absurdity of this situation."

"We need to encourage people to use public transport.  This fare structure for connecting rail travel to Brisbane airport is anti-public transport, another case of rhetoric not matching reality.  We again call on the government to fix this fare anomaly as a matter of urgency."

"The sooner the Airtrain line is brought back into public ownership and integrated properly as part of the normal TransLink network in terms of fares and timetables, the sooner the road congestion issues to the airport will be over (4)."

Reference:

1.   http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3091.0

2.   http://www.translink.com.au/  Journey planner accessed 28th December 2009

3.   http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1304.0

4.   http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=720.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[Derwan]

A summary for Airtrain fares for the leg between origin and Central/EJ:

• Train fares are higher than paper tickets for the same leg.
• Go Card users are denied the usual Go Card discount
• The off-peak discount is not applied for either Go Card or paper tickets
• If a Go Card user has already completed 10 trips, they are denied the 50% discount (that would have been on top of the usual Go Card discount)
• Those who are not near a train station and have to catch a bus or ferry to the city receive all applicable Go Card discounts and would be charged the standard paper ticket rate if they purchased a paper ticket - creating inconsistency between rail and other forms of transport (the same as the Ekka situation)

Have I missed anything?

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets

9th January 2010

Greetings

On the 5th January I travelled by rail to Brisbane Airport.  I touched on at Oxley, touched off at Roma St, I was debited with the correct 3 zone fare.  Then I touched back on (continuation of travel) and touched off at the Airport, correct fare debited. By doing this I was able to avoid the extra fare charged for a continuous rail journey connecting with an Airtrain service, simply by breaking the journey into two trips. Farcical that we need to do it to avoid the excess fares.

On the 8th January I travelled by rail from Brisbane Airport to Oxley.  I did it as a single journey from Brisbane Airport, as expected I was debited with the excess rip off fare.

For example an adult single journey from Brisbane Airport to Oxley is $20.40, concession $18.10 if done as a single journey, go or paper. So for the non air train leg at peak adult is paying $5.90 for a fare which should cost $3.20. Concession is paying $3.60 for a fare which should cost $1.60.  At off peak the go card holder does not receive the off peak fare either if they do at as a single journey.

The rip off is well and truly in place.  In view of the recent significant price rises for fares why are public transport commuters continued to be slugged these extra fares if they are not smart enough to break their journey?  Most commuters would travel to the airport as a single journey and would not expect to be hit with extra charges for travel on the non Airtrain legs of their journey.  Who would?  Nowhere but the smart state of course.

It is a totally unacceptable situation and needs immediate correction.

Best wishes
Robert

----------------

Media Release 9 January 2010

SEQ:  Airtrain and the new fare strategy and the connecting rail rip off

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has long highlighted the blatant fare rip off for unsuspecting  commuters who travel as a single journey from railway stations on the TransLink network and then the Airtrain from CBD to the airport, as compared to normal fare prices (1). This rip off also impacts on a single rail journey from the Airport as well. This hits unsuspecting TransLink customers with extra fares which can be avoided by breaking the journey into two stages.  How bizarre for a modern public transport system in that a single journey costs more than two separate journeys? The fact that government appears to be happy that hapless commuters continue being slugged extra as evidenced by a lack of action to address this rip off is also cause for concern.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"For example, if you check the online fare calculator on the Airtrain web site, the cost of a single adult go card journey from Nambour to the Brisbane Airport is $30.40 (2).

"Smart commuters do it differently. By breaking the journey into two legs, the correct fares for the first leg for example from Nambour to Eagle Junction is charged, and then subsequently by either purchasing a ticket or touching with go card as a continuation of travel from Eagle Junction to Airport leg the correct fare is charged.  The adult fare from Nambour to Eagle Junction on go card is go card off-peak $8.73 Adult  go card $9.70 Adult  single $14.10 .  The Airtrain fare from Eagle Junction to Airport is $14.50. If a person touches on at Nambour travels to Eagle Junction, touches off and then touches back on they will only pay $23.23 off peak, or $24.20 peak.  Contrast this to the single rip off fare of $30.40. This rip off is confirmed on the Translink journey planner (2)."

"RAIL Back On Track has pointed out this situation with  the fare rip off previously many times (3).  Why is it that Government and TransLink are happy to allow unsuspecting commuters to be stung?"

"With the new high cost fare strategy that rolled out from the 4th January 2010 this fare rip off continues.  Go card users will not be debited with the correct off peak fares for the non-Airtrain legs of their journeys as applicable as well."

"Presently people using the Airtrain would be best advised to use a go card to Central (or Eagle Junction from the north). Touch off if using go card, and then buy another ticket from Central (or Eagle Junction) to the Airport or touch back on as a continuation of travel if using go card. The savings can be substantial as demonstrated."

"This ticket pricing circus is again a good example of what is wrong with public transport in south-east Queensland! It is a further disincentive for people not to use public transport.  It puts railway staff in a no-win situation when challenged by commuters as to the inequity of the fare structure."

"Why is it that Airtrain gets an additional revenue component from travel on the public Translink Citytrain network if a rail user uses a go card in a continuous journey or buys a paper continuous ticket?  This additional fare impost DOES NOT apply to connecting bus or ferry travel.  Why are only rail commuters slugged?  Airtrain can charge what they like for travel on the line from Eagle Junction to the Airports, but why is there is a rip-off fare for travel on public parts of the network paid for by the taxpayer? The fact that it can be correctly and easily avoided by doing a two stage journey highlights the absolute absurdity of this situation."

"We need to encourage people to use public transport.  This fare structure for connecting rail travel to Brisbane airport is anti-public transport, another case of rhetoric not matching reality.  We again call on the government to fix this fare anomaly as a matter of urgency."

"The sooner the Airtrain line is brought back into public ownership and integrated properly as part of the normal TransLink network in terms of fares and timetables, the sooner the road congestion issues to the airport will be over (4)."

Reference:

1.   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3091.0

2.   http://www.translink.com.au/  Journey planner accessed 28th December 2009

3.   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1304.0

4.   http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=720.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Media Release 16 April 2010

SEQ:  Airtrain Fares - how to avoid the rip-off

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters periodically highlights the bizarre situation and rip-off with fares for connecting rail services with the Airtrain services to Brisbane Airport (1).  Are commuters that silly?

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"When I travel to the Brisbane Airport on the Airtrain Service I always break my journey at the CBD.  The reason for this is if you do it as single trip you not only pay extra for travel on the public train network; a part of the network that Airtrain has nothing to do with but you also miss out on the off peak fares for the non Airtrain leg as well!"

"For example, should I travel from Nambour to Brisbane Airport via Eagle Junction station off peak and if I touched on at Nambour and then touched off at Brisbane Airport the fare debited on my go card would be $30.40.  If I touched off at Eagle Junction, then touched back on the fares are as follows.  The off peak fare debited when I touch off for the first leg Nambour to Eagle Junction would be $8.73. I then touch back on and travel to the Airport, touch off, fare correctly debited $14.50.  Total fare by breaking journey is then $23.23.  If done as a single trip the fare is $30.40. An excess fare of $7.17.  Is there any rational explanation for this?  Why does Airtrain receive a rip-off fare from unsuspecting commuters?"

"Why does TransLink allow this bizarre situation to continue? The fare rip-off is easily avoided by breaking one's journey, but is this really supporting public transport?  Is the customer or profit the priority?"

"The excess fares are easily avoided however many commuters may not be aware of this strange situation. They would rightly expect not to be charged excess fares, but the sad reality is that they are.  TransLink should highlight this on their web site, for example 'When travelling on connecting rail services with the Airtrain, break your journey to save money!'."

References:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3247.0

2. TransLink Journey Planner http://www.translink.com.au/

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[awotam]

I submitted an enquiry to Translink about this on their on line feedback form. Much to my surprise, I received a response a couple of days later;

"Thank you for providing us with your feedback. Your comments have been formally registered and forwarded to our ticketing and fares team.

It is important to understand however, that Airtrain is a private, non-TransLink operator which links Brisbane international and domestic terminals with Brisbane and the Gold Coast through the Queensland Rail network.

Airtrain developed the Airport rail link and services without government funding, through a commercial arrangement with Queensland Rail.  As such Airtrain does not strictly fall within the TransLink system, and Airtrain are able to set their own pricing structure to ensure their revenue covers expenses and keeps Airtrain viable.

In contrast, train services operated by QR are a community service funded by the Queensland Government to provide public transport services in South-East Queensland.

Airtrain flat rate fare

The Airtrain flat rate fare is available for travel between the airport and the following 'Airtrain' stations

·         South Brisbane

·         Roma Street

·         Central

·         Fortitude Valley

·         Bowen Hills

·         Albion

·         Wooloowin

·         Eagle Junction

Purchasing an Airtrain ticket from any other station will incur additional charges of the relevant TransLink fare plus an Airtrain add-on component.

The TransLink Transit Authority (TTA) website is your one stop shop for information on public transport in South East Queensland. Our goal is to answer any question you have about TransLink bus, train and ferry services. Therefore all queries, comments and feedback are used to continually improve the information contained on the TTA website.

Should you require further information, please visit the TTA website at http://www.translink.com.au/ . Alternatively, the TransLink Call Centre is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 13 12 30.

Kind regards

Steve

TransLink Customer Support"

plus an Airtrain add-on component
For what, exactly?!? Travelling on the non-Airtrain part of the journey?!?  You're on the same train, on the same track, as someone who's not going to the airport, and you're charged more because you are?!?  Talk about trying to justify the unjustifiable!!!!!!!!!!!

[Golliwog]

What a joke!

[ozbob]

Thanks for your comments Awotam, agreed. I agree too Golligwog.  Our mission, should you choose to accept, is to educate the broader community that breaking their journey is the way to avoid the rip-off fares ...  

I have often contemplated a stunt at morning peak.  We get about 50 fine travellers with suitcases,  travel from say Indooroopilly to the Airport, BUT all break the journey at Central with suitable TV coverage.  The 'smart state' spectacle of 50 pax doing a touch off and a touch on to avoid the excessive fare ripoff would sure to be some entertainment, particularly with the lack of any real purpose of direction with the go gates ...

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

22 April 2010

Greetings,

Please continue to educate the community as to this bizarre fare levy.  The poor unsuspecting travellers get done big time at Airports as it is, the means of avoiding an extra fare when travelling on a connecting rail service to the Airport is easily avoided. This fact only just highlights the absurdity and injustice of the rip-off.

For interest we raised this prior to the last state election, but none of the major parties was interested.  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2017.0

They are happy to allow the rip-off to continue, so we need to educate our community how to avoid the excess charges.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Media Release 16 April 2010 re-released 22nd April 2010

SEQ:  Airtrain Fares - how to avoid the rip-off

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters periodically highlights the bizarre situation and rip-off with fares for connecting rail services with the Airtrain services to Brisbane Airport (1).  Are commuters that silly?

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"When I travel to the Brisbane Airport on the Airtrain Service I always break my journey at the CBD.  The reason for this is if you do it as single trip you not only pay extra for travel on the public train network; a part of the network that Airtrain has nothing to do with but you also miss out on the off peak fares for the non Airtrain leg as well!"

"For example, should I travel from Nambour to Brisbane Airport via Eagle Junction station off peak and if I touched on at Nambour and then touched off at Brisbane Airport the fare debited on my go card would be $30.40.  If I touched off at Eagle Junction, then touched back on the fares are as follows.  The off peak fare debited when I touch off for the first leg Nambour to Eagle Junction would be $8.73. I then touch back on and travel to the Airport, touch off, fare correctly debited $14.50.  Total fare by breaking journey is then $23.23.  If done as a single trip the fare is $30.40. An excess fare of $7.17.  Is there any rational explanation for this?  Why does Airtrain receive a rip-off fare from unsuspecting commuters?"

"Why does TransLink allow this bizarre situation to continue? The fare rip-off is easily avoided by breaking one's journey, but is this really supporting public transport?  Is the customer or profit the priority?"

"The excess fares are easily avoided however many commuters may not be aware of this strange situation. They would rightly expect not to be charged excess fares, but the sad reality is that they are.  TransLink should highlight this on their web site, for example 'When travelling on connecting rail services with the Airtrain, break your journey to save money!'."

References:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3247.0

2. TransLink Journey Planner http://www.translink.com.au/

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[Golliwog]

Thanks for your comments Awotam, agreed. I agree too Golligwog.  Our mission, should you choose to accept, is to educate the broader community that breaking their journey is the way to avoid the rip-off fares ...  

I have often contemplated a stunt at morning peak.  We get about 50 fine travellers with suitcases,  travel from say Indooroopilly to the Airport, BUT all break the journey at Central with suitable TV coverage.  The 'smart state' spectacle of 50 pax doing a touch off and a touch on to avoid the excessive fare ripoff would sure to be some entertainment, particularly with the lack of any real purpose of direction with the go gates ...

I like this plan. One problem for me though.... Kinda not in the country and won't be for another 2 months Oh well, I'd support this if I was there though.

[frereOP]

On the 30 July I was flying out to Europe for a 5 week holiday and being the good public transport advocate that I am, I took the airtrain. Jumped on at Oxley train station, got off at Central, traversed platforms, waited 15 minutes then hoped on the airtrain to the international airport. When alighting from the train and traversing through the airport train station I tagged off and saw a $17.90 figure flash up, hmm I thought at the time, isn't that a bit higher than it should have been (I was calculating at the time the airtrain fare was $13).

Yesterday I checked my gocard history and yep it was $17.90 however it should have been $16.70 comprising $3.20 (zone 3) + $13.50.

Thus I rang TTA and the operator was perplexed,  firstly trying to explain it away as being correct however I continued to point out the pure mathematics of the situation. After a few minutes the operator relented and filled in a form which was duly sent off for investigation and potential refund.

Of course the issue isn't the $1.20, it is the fact that the fare appears to have ben incorrectly calculated... how many other airtrain fares may potentially have been miscalculated? I will report back on the results of the TTA investigation.

This has been an ongoing issue.  It is well known that tagging on at a suburban station and tagging off in the city then tagging on again before taking the train to the airport is cheaper than a through fare.  However as there are two advertised prices for the same product, the lower price is the one that must be charged (a bit like supermarkets advertising a special and charging the normal price!) under the Trade Practices Act.  Hence, Airtrain and QR could be in breach of the Trade Practices Act.   I wonder if anyone has brought this issue to the attention of the Trade Practices Commission?

[somebody]

This has been an ongoing issue.  It is well known that tagging on at a suburban station and tagging off in the city then tagging on again before taking the train to the airport is cheaper than a through fare.  However as there are two advertised prices for the same product, the lower price is the one that must be charged (a bit like supermarkets advertising a special and charging the normal price!) under the Trade Practices Act.  Hence, Airtrain and QR could be in breach of the Trade Practices Act.   I wonder if anyone has brought this issue to the attention of the Trade Practices Commission?

Could be an arguable point.  The counter would be that only one price is advertised for suburbs-airport.  Might be worth a shot though.

[frereOP]

Actually two prices are advertised - one where you do the whole trip and one where you sum the two parts.  I know what you are saying but in reality if I look at the published (advertised) prices for the two different parts of the trip and sum them and get a price that is lower than the trip as a single journey then by law I should be charged the lower of the two values.

Anyone care to bring this to the attention of TPC or the ACCC ?

[somebody]

Actually two prices are advertised - one where you do the whole trip and one where you sum the two parts.  I know what you are saying but in reality if I look at the published (advertised) prices for the two different parts of the trip and sum them and get a price that is lower than the trip as a single journey then by law I should be charged the lower of the two values.

Anyone care to bring this to the attention of TPC or the ACCC ?

Can you give a link?  I could only find a fare amount to Indooroopilly of $19.00 or $17.10 if I book online.  If I break the journey and don't book online it is $17.20.  I don't think I'd go through the hassle of booking a trip which should be walk up to save 10c.

[frereOP]

Translink Fare calculator:-

Darra to Domestic Terminal using Go Card:- $20.40

Darra to Eagle Junction (Off Peak) using Go Card:- $2.88
Darra to Eagle Junction (Peak) - $3.20
Eagle Junction to Domestic Terminal using Go Card - $14.50

Direct = $20.40
Split = $17.38 (Off Peak) or $17.70 (Peak).

Difference $2.70 (Peak) or $3.02 (Off Peak)

[somebody]

Sigh.

Sounds like what I suggested was the situation is correct.

[dwb]

@frereop

Airtrain do not charge the same in Brisbane as they do in Sydney, ie you don't pay your standard fare + a gate fare, you pay a point to point fare on the rail network and it is advertised as such.

Yesterday I checked my gocard history and yep it was $17.90 however it should have been $16.70 comprising $3.20 (zone 3) + $13.50.

[ozbob]

The basic issue is why should Airtrain be able to extract a premium for travel on the taxpayer funded part of the network?  Nothing to do with Airtrain.  As it is they are getting public funded trains, crew and signalling support at 'mates rates'. They can charge what they like from Eagle Junction to the Airports. All the spin from TransLink does not hide this basic fact: time to sort out the flawed contract that allows this to occur.  It needs to be sorted by Queensland Transport, but don't hold your breath.  In the meantime just break your journey, the savings are very substantial on a high zone journey, particularly a group.

The fact that a traveller can easily and legitimately avoid the so called Airtrain fare for the public portion of the journey, and receive off peak when travelling off peak for the non-airtrain leg is further evidence of the farce.

[dwb]

I agree wholeheartedly Bob, it is bizarre, I was simply explaining to frereop that from what i've heard it is to do with how the contract was established that airtrain calculates and charges point to point fares on the rail network...

As desirable as it may be, changing a contract like this is not necessarily a simple nor cheap thing to do!

[ozbob]

 

[frereOP]

I agree wholeheartedly Bob, it is bizarre, I was simply explaining to frereop that from what i've heard it is to do with how the contract was established that airtrain calculates and charges point to point fares on the rail network...

As desirable as it may be, changing a contract like this is not necessarily a simple nor cheap thing to do!

The Airtrain contract was sorted well before Translink was even in nappies so there are contractual issues to sort out but my point is that Translink themselves advertise on their own website the different fares available and as I understand it, they are required by law under the Trade Practices Act to charge the lowest advertised price.  If they don't knowingly do so they (both Airtrain and Translink) could well be in breach of the Act (which carries substantial penalties) by not doing so.

All we need is for someone to bring it to the attention of the Trade Practices Commission or the ACCC.  Bob maybe?

[ozbob]

Fair Trading services in Queensland are delivered by the
Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation  http://www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au/index.htm

Misleading pricing

Businesses must not make false or misleading statements about the prices of goods or services.

Businesses must quote all prices in full. They cannot advertise the deposit and instalment payment amounts separately without listing a full price.

http://www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au/pricing.htm

It is a grey area I would suggest.  If you type in the single journey into the TransLink Journey Planner you get a fare.  If you type in the two trips and sum it the fare is then lass than the single journey fare.  It is misleading in a broad sense as who would rightly suspect a single journey would be dearer than the sum of two trips? But whether it is technically against the act I am not sure.

It might be well possible to force the addition of a disclaimer, to the effect that a single journey fare by rail which includes Airtrain and non Airtrain travel is cheaper if you choose to break the journeys into two.

[ozbob]

We have had dealings with the Office of Fair Trading before I might add.  --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1204.0  They don't instil a great deal of confidence in me.  They weren't even sure if they could investigate a complaint concerning the TTA, and referred me to the Ombudsman.  The Ombudsman referred me back to the OFT.   Government investigating government is a bit like Caesar judging Caesar.  I will think about it.  I suppose we can raise it with them, but I wouldn't be particularly optimistic ...

[dwb]

I also had the same experience as Bob in being referred to the ombudsmen, but to be fair, the governance structure of TTA had only just changed recently when both of us had our dealings.

I'd suggest frereop that if you've got a complaint then YOU should raise it with the OFT, they are after all set up to deal with consumers concerns, and you in this case are the consumer.

[ozbob]

From The Satellite 5th May 2010 pages 1 and 3

Front cover



Page 3 article



Thanks Satellite for highlighting this fare anomaly.

[awotam]

Travelled to the airport last Thurs for a trip to Sydney, returning Sunday. Outbound from Sherwood, broke the journey at Roma St. Charged $3.20 and $15.00 for the two legs, as expected. Returning Sunday, broke the journey at Bowen Hills. Charged $15.00 again for the airport leg, as expected. However, on touching off at Sherwood, the reader showed a fare of $0.45!?! Have since checked this on my Go Card history on line which confirms the charge as 45 cents. Any ideas?  I was expecting the Zone 3 off peak $2.88 to apply.

[ozbob]

Yes, odd is it not?  Has been reported before, seems like some programming errors!

I think it sees the second leg as just an extension from zone 2 to 3.