Possible PT (fare) incentives ...

[ozbob]

What do you think could be ' new incentives '  ?

Brisbanetimes --> '$5 all-day brekkie' a sign of tough CBD times as free public transport off menu

... But they want the Queensland government to offer free public transport for a short period "to break the habit" of working from home.

"We would like to see that here in Brisbane as well, because we know one of the biggest challenges is that people are choosing to work Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and they are driving in," she said.

"We need to get people back onto public transport and flatten out the working week." ...

... Transport Minister Mark Bailey said new incentives would be announced in "coming weeks".

"We announced last year that we will freeze public transport fares for 2021 to encourage more commuters back onto the network," he said.

[verbatim9]

Weekend daily 10 dollar caps from Friday to Sunday incl public holidays. I am sure most would think that would be a fair incentive? They already have a 10 dollar cap on the Sunshine Coast and on the Gold Coast. Making it Seq wide incl Toowoomba Friday, Saturday and Sunday incl public holidays would be good.

[ozbob]

Noted.

I think they want to try to get more people into the Brisbane CBD itself.

Maybe a temporary increase in off peak discount.  Say 40% on go card.   This would be easy to implement.

Melbourne has this at present.
https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/myki/buy-a-myki-and-top-up/myki-money/

Off-peak fare offer

Metropolitan public transport fares during off-peak times will be temporarily discounted by 30% from Monday 1 February to Friday 2 July 2021. This offer applies to both full fare and concession fares.

The off-peak fare offer is valid for travel using myki Money on metropolitan trains, trams and buses within Zone 1 or Zone 1+2 on weekdays.

Passengers must touch off their myki between 9.30am and 4pm, or touch on before 4pm or after 7pm on weekdays to receive the off-peak fare discount.

Passengers must touch on and touch off on all metropolitan services, including trams, for the discounted fare to be automatically applied.

The off-peak fare offer doesn't apply to travel that is already discounted, including travelling wholly within Zone 2, weekend travel or public holidays.

[verbatim9]

True, if you are looking at being inline with the current programming? Then 40% off peak Friday Saturday Sunday incl Public Holidays would be ideal. Otherwise just the straight 7 days.

The capping should then be looked at in the last quarter of 2021 when Smart ticketing is activated across modes.

[JimmyP]

To be honest, i'd put it at 50% discount for off-peak. The services are running, might as well get the bums on the seats!
Advertising is then easier as well, marketing 'half price transport!' Is a bit easier than 30 or 40% off etc.

[#Metro]

Fare discount gimmicks are an expensive way to generate minimal additional patronage compared to the alternatives. To use an analogy, it's like suggesting more park and rides to "encourage"  more patronage.

Something different I think would be to tap into existing loyalty programs.

Such as X number of QANTAS points for each go card top-up over $50 or X number of points at Woolies or Coles. Or do 5 trips a week on BUZ light rail or trains and get X points. Or take one trip on a bus, train and ferry each and get X.

Lotteries are also good competition and publicity. Do five trips and go into the draw for whatever.

Something that encourages people to take multimodal trips or high frequency trips would have the effect of reducing resistance to network reform down the track.

[JimmyP]

Tapping in to things like Qantas/Velocity FF points, while a reasonably good idea, would be an incredibly expensive way to go and likely quite difficult to set up with the current gocard software etc.

While I do agree to an extent that gimmics aren't usually hugely effective, a short term 50% discount on off-peak services I don't think would be much of a drain. It encourages people to use the generally much lighter loaded services outside peak that are running anyway. Have it for a limited time to see how much the boost is. If after an initial promo period (say two months) the benefits outweigh the costs, drop it back to the current 20% (end of promotional period). If the patronage boost happens to offset the reduced ticket revenue, run it a bit longer.

[#Metro]

You can get QANTAS points on many things. Red energy a power company allows you to earn frequent flyer points when you pay your power bill. Shopping at Woolies earn them.

In fact, 10 million Australians are a member of the QF program. That's half the Australian population!

Contrary to suggestions it would be expensive, the actual cash value of a QF point is somewhere between one and five cents per point. That is ridiculously cheap, possibly cheaper than any fare discount!

The program was recently expanded, so I think Translink could pull it off. Catch the train... Get the plane!

It would be far more effective than than usual boring discount on fares. Think about what airlines do... They *could* offer discounts... But instead offer points.

[verbatim9]

I like the idea of linking Woolworths Rewards, Flybuys, Qantas Frequent Flyer and Velocity to Public Transport, but I can't see it happening at the moment. TMR haven't even got digital advertising down pat as yet.

Anyway technically it will be linked with smart ticketing when passengers use their credit cards to touch on and off. They will automatically earn loyalty points linked to that card.

[verbatim9]

I am backing 40-50% off Friday, Saturday and Sunday incl public holidays. I am also backing a Friday, Saturday and Sunday incl public holiday's 10 dollar cap SEQ wide, including Toowoomba, when smart ticketing is activated in the 4th quarter.

[ozbob]

To be honest, i'd put it at 50% discount for off-peak. The services are running, might as well get the bums on the seats!
Advertising is then easier as well, marketing 'half price transport!' Is a bit easier than 30 or 40% off etc.

[Cazza]

A 50% off peak discount (and some sort of further weekend discounts) will help make public transport a cheaper and more attractive option, encouraging those to use it not just during peak hours. However, it is very clear the need for a massive overhaul of the bus network and expand the coverage and attractiveness of the BUZ network (and other high frequency off-peak feeder services). Without implementing these network changes first, there's really no point bringing in any fare incentives. It would be like putting in a toilet without the plumbing. Sure, it may do the job, but at the end of the day, it really won't do all that much

[ozbob]

I hear you about bus network reform, but the reality is the authorities are not going to do much at all until they re-configure the network for Brisbane Metro.

This fare incentive stuff is just short term temporary even,  to get some people back on public transport.  Major reforms have to wait.

[JimmyP]

Yep, basically trying to get those who moved to their cars during to covid to come back to PT. If it helps get more to PT, all the better, but definitely a very temporary solution.

[Fares_Fair]

I'd like to see smart ticketing that has Daily or week-end caps, not to mention the weekly, monthly and annual discounts we had under the pre-2008 smarter paper tickets.
Also keen to see family friendly caps or ticketing options to encourage mums, dads and children onto public transport - making it more viable than a drive.

[verbatim9]

Couriermail----> How to score a year's worth of free public transport in Brisbane $

A year's worth of free public transport is up for grabs as part of a new initiative to entice workers back into the southeast's CBDs. Here's how to be in the running.

THE State Government will give away a year of free public transport in a bid to improve low patronage and entice workers back to the city.

Commuters will also be able to board peak-hour services with scooters and bikes in a trial to start in the new financial year.

Public transport usage is still sitting at about 70 per cent, almost a year after Covid lockdowns began to lift in Queensland.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the government's promotion was about getting more workers back into the CBD.

He will today announce a Golden Go Card will be given to one traveller each Monday who had used public transport on a Friday throughout June.

Winners will be randomly drawn, with the free travel to be used between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022. ..

^^Free year's worth of Public Transport up for grabs if you travel to the city on Fridays during the month of June on a registered Go card. Participants must also fill in an entry form on the TransLink website to be eligible.

[ozbob]

Gold go card. Gimmick, pure and simple.  Does nothing really for the masses.  4 Gold Cards. 

" Commuters will also be able to board peak-hour services with scooters and bikes in a trial to start in the new financial year. "

This is fine by me.  6 month trial.  If it gets out of hand it will probably be stopped.  I think they might need to designate carriages.

[verbatim9]

Carriages identified with stickers e.g. bikes can easily share the accessible carriages as they have straps to secure the bikes. Wheelchairs and disabled mobility scooters would of course have priority.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1398652713760477184

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1398653670799990787

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

Four free Gold go cards and bikes and scooters on peak train services - comments

30th May 2021

Greetings,

We note the Couriermail has published an article this morning that Minister Bailey will be announcing a Gold go card giveaway each week during June 2021. ( How to score a year's worth of free public transport in Brisbane
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/brisbane-city/how-to-score-a-years-worth-of-free-public-transport-in-brisbane/news-story/72dce7cec8a73c08d6a8738d3ac6af85 ).  This is at best a gimmick and does nothing really for the majority.  Far better approach would be to introduce an increased off peak fare discount on the go card of say 50% for six months. This would have a much more significant impact and is only using empty space at present and would boost the fare box. Other jurisdictions have done this as it is the smart thing to do. But we are not particularly smart in SEQ are we?

Also as part of six month trial bicycles and scooters would be allowed on peak hour train services is to be announced.  We support this with the caveat that carriages for bicycles and scooters need to be designated.  We suggest carriages 1 and 6 on a six car train set, or carriage 3 on a three car set be the designated carriages.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

Facebook ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1398661123151335424

[verbatim9]

I am disappointed with the incentive announcement. Fare discounts of 40% or more Fridays, Saturdays,  Sundays and Public Holidays is better. I hope there is more than what has been announced in the paper today?

[ozbob]

Yo disappointing stuff as usual from a failing transport portfolio.

[ozbob]

I am disappointed with the incentive announcement. Fare discounts of 40% or more Fridays, Saturdays,  Sundays and Public Holidays is better. I hope there is more than what has been announced in the paper today?

I think there would be a problem with differential off peak discounts because of the programming change costs.

A simple blanket 20% to 50% probably means a change to one variable (well it should it in a properly designed system).

But I expect there will be a media statement later today.  Floating this stuff in newspapers that are hidden by pay walls is not doing the public justice IMHO.

The media statement and updates on TransLink/QR websites should be the first steps. 
The problem with having ex journos as media minders I guess.

I am getting progressively disgusted with Queensland politics.  It is really off!! 

[#Metro]

Well well well.

People wanted a gimmick... you got it!

IMHO Qantas points look so much better compared to this... Qantas is considering giving away points to those who get the jab (which is free).

[ozbob]

LOL   we really are ratsh%t in Queensland hey?

(Checks QANTAS FF points balance .. ) 

[#Metro]

Could be worse.

Could get a pair of Translink branded socks and a gold framed photo of the Transport Minister for your desk...

[achiruel]

Could be worse.

Could get a pair of Translink branded socks and a gold framed photo of the Transport Minister for your desk...

At least I could wear the socks and put a different picture in the frame, unlike useless Qantas points.

[ozbob]

^ true.  QANTAS can give me more points as desired though.  I have built up a good balance since being grounded from Jan 2020.

Looking forward to burning some points on my Southern States Suburban Rail Tour hopefully September/October this year.

[#Metro]

At least I could wear the socks and put a different picture in the frame, unlike useless Qantas points.

Half the population are members. Their points system is a major revenue source.

You don't have to spend it on flights. You can spend it on many things.

http://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/categories/shopping.html?tabId=use-points&int_cam=au%3Ause-points%3Aarticle%3Aqantas-rewards-store%3Aen%3Ann

[achiruel]

At least I could wear the socks and put a different picture in the frame, unlike useless Qantas points.

Half the population are members. Their points system is a major revenue source.

You don't have to spend it on flights. You can spend it on many things.

http://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/categories/shopping.html?tabId=use-points&int_cam=au%3Ause-points%3Aarticle%3Aqantas-rewards-store%3Aen%3Ann

I bet half the members never benefit from it (as occurs with most rewards schemes). That's why the corporations love these schemes so much, because they never have to pay out the much of the value of the rewards, but they manage to convince consumers they'll benefit somehow. The amount of points needed to be collected, along with needing to purchase particular items to get sufficient points for anything half-decent, doesn't encourage me (and evidently many others) to participate.

You say half the population are members, therefore you've alienated half your potential customers already, by offering them a rewards scheme they can't use.

[#Metro]

It doesn't have to be QANTAS. Translink could set up its own loyalty program and then use that to direct behaviour.

Translink would allow commuters to earn points on TL services then they could spend it at businesses.
It would be SEQ regional specific.

The good thing is that if it takes off (ha ha) it would finally put an end to constant attacks on the fare system to provide demonstrably ineffective 'incentives' at increasing patronage.

You say half the population are members, therefore you've alienated half your potential customers already, by offering them a rewards scheme they can't use.

Disagree. Loyalty schemes are voluntary, it's a personal choice to join or not. Plus I would imagine many of those non-members are under 18. I believe it's Australia's largest loyalty scheme, so if you know a bigger one, please post.

About you not benefiting and then extending that further to conclude that the scheme isn't beneficial...
Consider lotteries and casinos. Most people never win anything. The overwhelming majority, almost 100% don't get anything back, ever. Despite this, there is no shortage of people buying lottery tickets and a new casino is being built in the CBD. It is a similar story with major insurances.

A loyalty points system tied either to an airline or major grocer could be highly effective and cost efficient precisely because of the reasons you raise.

[achiruel]

I don't believe that finding a private, for-profit loyalty scheme is the best way to spend resources, or to increase TransLink patronage. It's just fluff. I would much rather have a reliable (unlike the 545 I'm on, first one on a Sunday morning and nine minutes late), well-priced service. I would prefer any loyalty be directed at TransLink services, like the current 8+50% is (I'm not saying that scheme exactly, but TransLink-focused schemes).
Even the go card lottery would be a better incentive for me than QANTAS points.

[#Metro]

QANTAS is currently, in effect, a non-profit corporation as it is posting multi-billion dollar losses. The Queensland Government is more than happy to spend money on fluff provided it looks good on social media 😀. Fare cuts are ineffective and so are $50k park and rides and yet both are popular as ever.

The QANTAS points scheme came about in the late 1980s when QANTAS was government owned. It's also an iconic Queensland company founded in Winton, outback QLD. So it fits culturally and politically as well.

If you want to benefit, maybe you should consider signing up.

A loyalty points system is also highly flexible. Want to get people to switch from old bus network routes to new BUZ services. Just offer them QANTAS points for every trip taken on the new BUZ service for a limited time and watch the old services empty. This change could really drive and facilitate bus reform and acceptance of change.

For example, you could offer bonus points for passengers who transfer between a BCC bus and a train in their journey. Given that such transfer rates are very low in Brisbane, a before and after comparison would be a neat and direct test to quantify how effective a behaviour changer this could be. You could set it up for particular stations or lines so that you have a valid statistical control as well.

Got enough points? Then maybe you can then get your gold go card.

For me QANTAS points tick all the boxes.

[ozbob]

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/92223

Golden Ticket: Free travel, bikes on peak hour trains for CBD commuters
30th May 2021

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey



Commuters can win free travel for a year as part of a Palaszczuk Government initiative to encourage more workers to return to South-East Queensland's city centres.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said a Golden Go Card would be given to a lucky traveller who had used public transport on a Friday across the month of June.

"The randomly selected draw at the end of the working week is open for all registered Go Card users," Mr Bailey said.

"The Gold Card promotion is just part of a wider push to get more workers back into the CBD and supporting small businesses in SEQ city centres at the tail end of the week.

"Thanks to Queensland's strong response to the pandemic, patronage on public transport is sitting at around 70% of pre-COVID levels, much better than New South Wales and Victoria.

"We're continuing to deliver Queensland's plan for economic recovery and offices and workplaces are filling up again.

"Now, four lucky commuters will get a golden opportunity to enjoy free trips on trams, trains, buses and ferries for a whole year.

"This is about encouraging more Queenslanders to support retailers and hospitality workers as we continue the state's economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic."

Mr Bailey said the Golden Go Card lottery comes just ahead of the restrictions around taking bikes and e-scooters on peak hour trains being relaxed from July 1 in a six-month trial.

New smart ticketing readers have been installed at 10 SEQ train stations and will be operating from this week as part of the next phase of the $371 million roll-out of this technology.

"We want to do all we can to encourage more travellers onto public transport and coming into our city centres," Mr Bailey said.

"The moves are a key part of the Palaszczuk Government's plan to continue driving Queensland's economic recovery.

"Queensland's public transport system is currently undergoing an historic transformation.

"Cross River Rail, the next stage of Gold Coast Light Rail and the smart ticketing rollout, will motivate more and more people to get out and explore the south east."

Bicycle Queensland CEO Rebecca Randazzo said the six-month trial of allowing bicycles and e-scooters on peak trains was a win for cyclists and scooter users.

"Every time someone uses the combination of bike and train to get around SEQ, that's one less car on the roads," Ms Randazzo said.

"And combining public transport and bike riding helps you find your 30 minutes of physical activity for the day, while reducing carbon emissions."

These travel incentives come as TransLink continues installing and testing its new Smart Ticketing system at 10 SEQ train stations.

New device readers have been installed at: Gympie North, Eumundi, Woombye, Beerwah, Glasshouse Mountains, Murrumba Downs, Petrie, Strathpine, Northgate and Albion train stations and will be activated for go card use from Tuesday 1 June.

Technicians will progressively install another 550 readers across 154 stations which feature larger, brighter screens and hoods so they are easier to see and hear.

"Smart Ticketing is about giving people more choice and freedom in how they pay for public transport," Mr Bailey said.

"Testing the system on our train network is the next step in the rollout by the end of 2022 after trialling the technology successfully on Gold Coast trams in December.

"Once all new platform readers and gates are installed and fully functional for go card use, we will start testing new payment methods for train passengers including credit cards, mobile phones and smart watches and devices."

"Our Smart Ticketing system will service one of the largest geographical areas of any ticketing system in the world and will be designed to adapt to future growth and new technology.

Anyone with a registered go card who travels on the TransLink SEQ network with their go card on a Friday in June and fills in the entry form on the TransLink website is eligible to win a golden go card.

The golden go cards are non-transferrable and will cover the entire SEQ TransLink network.

Winners will be randomly drawn and announced each Monday in June with free travel for a year between 1 July 2021 – 30 June 2022.

Background:

TransLink's COVID-Safe Public Transport Plan explains how we are keeping passengers safe and the Service Capacity Tracker can help commuters see how much space is available on services.

For more ways to save money with your go card, including a 20 per cent off peak discount when you travel between 8.30am and 3.30pm and after 7pm, as well as half-price concession rates, visit here.

Registering your go card is easy and protects the money on your card if it is lost or stolen. It also allows you to check your card balance, travel history and set up auto top-up online so you don't have to add money to at a ticketing machine or station.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/TransLinkSEQ/status/1398798822768361477

[ozbob]

Meanwhile ...

The 9.02am route 524 inbound bus is cancelled due to staff availability. The next inbound route 524 bus departs Redbank Plains Shopping Village, Bellbird Park at 10.02am.

What use is a gold go card if there is no fuking bus!!   

[#Metro]

Qantas may offer 1000 frequent flyer points for COVID-19 jabs
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/qantas-may-offer-1000-frequent-flyer-points-for-covid-19-jabs-20210527-p57vr9

It is understood the options being considered by Qantas include giving people who get both their two COVID-19 jabs up to 1000 frequent flyer points, flight vouchers towards domestic and international flights, and status credits, which allow people to move into high Frequent Flyer tiers.

Could be very interesting. PT obviously affected by COVID19 due to crowding effects on PT.

A scheme could look like this:

Get Vaccinated > Register GoCard/Update GoCard> Link to QANTAS points > Start Earning points

So to qualify, you need to be Vaxxed.

[JimmyP]

Except in very rare circumstances (like possibly the Vax points - I haven't read up on the details), Qantas doesn't give businesses access to QF points for free.

It's quite likely that the cost of Translink offering QF points for a year would easily pay for the off-peak discount to be made 50% permenantly. It's really not cheap for businesses to join up with QFF Loyalty.

Qantas are likely doing the Vax promo as it directly effects their business of flying people around the country and the world. The more people get the jab and the faster they get it, the sooner the international borders will open and domestic borders become much less likely to close with little notice.
QF offering Translink customers points at little/no cost to Translink/QLD Gov does jack all for Qantas' business, so if Translink were to partner up with them, it would be at full cost.

Sorry Metro, it's just not going to happen.

A Translink based loyalty program may work, with rewards used for local business or PT, but other than that, way too expensive to even think about.