Article: Get up early to ride free? Forget it

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Get up early to ride free? Forget it

Get up early to ride free? Forget it

    * Clay Lucas
    * November 4, 2008

THE Early Bird ticket, hailed by Premier John Brumby as a solution to overcrowding on morning trains, is failing dismally to attract commuters.

The ticket was aimed to tempt commuters out of bed earlier, offering free travel for trips finishing before 7am.

It was launched by Mr Brumby and Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky in March, after a six-month trial on the Frankston and Sydenham lines.

"I'm very confident it will be very well received," Mr Brumby said then.

But the Department of Transport's annual report ? one of more than 200 annual reports released by the Government last Thursday ? shows just 2700 travellers a day using the ticket on Melbourne's 15 train lines.

And of those, 700 already caught pre-7am trains before the March launch.

The scheme, costed by Mr Brumby in March at "between $5 million and $10 million" has blown out to $12 million in two years. This includes reimbursing Connex for lost ticket revenue.

Before trials began, the Government said 600 passengers a day needed to use the ticket on the Frankston line for it to be considered a success.

Only 232 used the ticket, their analysis showed.

The ticket fared even worse in the Sydenham line trial: just 168 passengers a day opted to travel before 7am.

Despite this, the Government pressed ahead, to show it was taking "action" to relieve overcrowding.

The Public Transport Users Association said the new figures showed the scheme had achieved little. "Morning peak-hour trains are as crowded as ever. Free rides don't substitute for providing adequate peak-hour services," president Daniel Bowen said.

Connex data released last week showed overcrowding on Melbourne's morning trains at its worst. Scores of morning rush-hour trains carry 1000 passengers ? well above the 798-person recommended limit.

The state's powerful Rail, Tram and Bus Union also dismissed the ticket as "spin".

"Early Bird tickets are a great con job and propaganda from Spring Street," said divisional president Terry Sheedy.

If a service runs late, commuters using Early Bird tickets do not pay. But if a train is cancelled, passengers must buy a ticket. "You shouldn't be penalised if Connex cancels your train," Mr Sheedy said.

This year, 5017 trains were cancelled, figures obtained by the Opposition show.

Ms Kosky defended the Early Bird ticket, saying 2000 passengers equated to three six-car trainloads each morning. And the Netherlands' transport minister had asked her how the scheme was working, she said.

"They are considering introducing a similar solution for their rail network," her spokesman, Stephen Moynihan, said.

[ozbob]

We have always encouraged incentive ticketing via the go card coupled with other measures.  A different thing.
Still though, 2000 out of the peak is three full trains, so that is some benefit.

[ozbob]

Some comments.  Our view is that extension of the off peak ticketing principle, shown to work in Brisbane and long established will help ie. incentive ticketing using the go card is worth doing.

Managing congestion on trains.

Introduce early-bird and off peak incentive ticketing on the go card. For example if a passenger touches on with a go card before 6.30am to commence their journey give them another 30% discount.  Introduce off-peak ticketing on the go card as well, additional 30% if journey commenced after 9am and before 3.30pm and after 7pm.

Implement a passenger education campaign to encourage more efficient load distribution of passengers on the trains.  Some guards do try to encourage passengers to move down the aisles but much more can done. Encourage passengers to fan out on stations.

Remove seats around the doors.  Fit more hand holds, for example in the centres of the EMU carriages to allow more standing room with less crush.  Consider fitting more flip-seats.  These can be folded up during peaks to make more standing room, but are able to be used as normal seats in off peak times.

The Government should encourage more employers to allow flexible work hours where possible. Continue decentralisation of government and major business services.

Free early bird travel but itself is not the answer.  Need a multi-facet approach.  Melbourne's climate is also a factor.

Bottom line is more resources during the peaks!