New Fares : Articles, discussion, rants and roses ...

[Fridge]

Now for a giggle


http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2010/01/05/cheap-rail-fares-served-up-to-brisbane/

[#Metro]

What planet is the QLD Government on?

I feel sorry for the venue. They might sell out but have few people turn up...

[Sunbus610]

Oh ya TRANSLink **NOT**, Go card situation "ludicrous"

[Jon Bryant]

As unlikely as it is that a private operator would enter the passenger rail service arena. Why should they not be allowed to or encouraged not to.  As long as they have trains and qualified driver/guad that can run and communicate with train/network control then anyone should be able to provide a service. 

This is how the buses work and they are required to tender for the service provision.  Lets start to drive up competition and thius costs down.

Maybe this is a way of adding additional trains (and thus services) without the QLD Government having to pay for their construction up front. Rather they just pay for the service over the life of the service.

[Derwan]

Now for a giggle

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2010/01/05/cheap-rail-fares-served-up-to-brisbane/

If it provides the ticket-holder "free travel to and from the event", why would/should it be accepted at city stations?  That's not where the event is.  Sure it's within the zones, but the free travel is only provided to/from the event, not to travel to other places.

[longboi]

Now for a giggle

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2010/01/05/cheap-rail-fares-served-up-to-brisbane/

If it provides the ticket-holder "free travel to and from the event", why would/should it be accepted at city stations?  That's not where the event is.  Sure it's within the zones, but the free travel is only provided to/from the event, not to travel to other places.

What about people who live in the City? 

[Derwan]

What about people who live in the City? 

True... nothing to stop someone saying, "I live in the city!" 

[#Metro]

Myki has a commuter club for organisations to encourage their emloyees to use PT.

http://www.myki.com.au/Customer-groups/Commuter-Club-business-/default.aspx

[Emmie]

Thanks for that Tramtrain - the computer club sounds a great idea, particularly for organisations outside the CBD.  Providing an unlimited 365 day Myki card is a very sensible alternative to providing a company car, and saves the company from having to spend so much on parking spaces, too.

I wonder, though, how the ATO will look at this employee benefit.  Is it part of a salary package, and therefore taxable?  Another question for the Henry report to think through.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Brisbane's commuter cards all the go: Nolan

Brisbane's commuter cards all the go: Nolan
STEVE GRAY
January 9, 2010 - 6:04AM

Commuters are increasingly switching to South-East Queensland's paperless "go" cards and complaints about them are low, the state's transport minister says.

Rachel Nolan says there are only six complaints about the "go" cards for every 10,000 trips on buses, trains and ferries.

Failures of the go card readers on the public transport network are even lower, with two problems for every 10,000 journeys.

Ms Nolan said the number of complaints had declined as people became used to the paperless option, and she expected they would fall further.

"As people get used to using it, the trouble with it falls away enormously," Ms Nolan said late yesterday.

"Most people who buy a go card then swear by its use.

"It's quite an easy to use technology and it's working consistently and reliably."

The government on Monday imposed a financial incentive to switch from paper tickets to go cards, hiking paper ticket prices by 40 per cent while go cards rose by 20 per cent.

The tactic has had the required result, with go card sales rocketing, and journeys using the cards more than 50 per cent higher than for the corresponding period last year.

Ms Nolan said the cards - now representing 30 per cent of commuter journeys - improved efficiency of the network, and particularly buses.

"If you get on the bus and buy a ticket from the driver it takes an average of 11 seconds for a person to get on," she said.

"With go card it takes three seconds, so it makes the bus system much more efficient."

Ms Nolan admitted the go cards' availability had not been promoted effectively.

"It's worth noting in southeast Queensland there are currently 259 retail outlets (selling go cards)," she said.

"The only other city that has a smart card system is Perth, where I understand there are 60 (sellers).

"I do acknowledge we didn't do enough in the lead-up to this change to promote them."

AAP

[O_128]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Brisbane's commuter cards all the go: Nolan

Brisbane's commuter cards all the go: Nolan
STEVE GRAY
January 9, 2010 - 6:04AM

Commuters are increasingly switching to South-East Queensland's paperless "go" cards and complaints about them are low, the state's transport minister says.

Rachel Nolan says there are only six complaints about the "go" cards for every 10,000 trips on buses, trains and ferries.

Failures of the go card readers on the public transport network are even lower, with two problems for every 10,000 journeys.

Ms Nolan said the number of complaints had declined as people became used to the paperless option, and she expected they would fall further.

"As people get used to using it, the trouble with it falls away enormously," Ms Nolan said late yesterday.

"Most people who buy a go card then swear by its use.

"It's quite an easy to use technology and it's working consistently and reliably."

The government on Monday imposed a financial incentive to switch from paper tickets to go cards, hiking paper ticket prices by 40 per cent while go cards rose by 20 per cent.

The tactic has had the required result, with go card sales rocketing, and journeys using the cards more than 50 per cent higher than for the corresponding period last year.

Ms Nolan said the cards - now representing 30 per cent of commuter journeys - improved efficiency of the network, and particularly buses.

"If you get on the bus and buy a ticket from the driver it takes an average of 11 seconds for a person to get on," she said.

"With go card it takes three seconds, so it makes the bus system much more efficient."

Ms Nolan admitted the go cards' availability had not been promoted effectively.

"It's worth noting in southeast Queensland there are currently 259 retail outlets (selling go cards)," she said.

"The only other city that has a smart card system is Perth, where I understand there are 60 (sellers).

"I do acknowledge we didn't do enough in the lead-up to this change to promote them."

AAP

What planet is she on. Has she not heard about myki or simply to stupid to look outside her own state.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

9th January 2010

Greetings,

The first week since the introduction of the new fare structure driving commuters to use the go card is probably best described as a public relations disaster for TransLink and Government, and not good for public transport generally

As you all know we have offered free constructive advice for a number of years on how to avoid such a sad outcome  (See --> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=429.0 ).

I spent a few days in Melbourne during the past week. I used the myki smart card system (see -->   http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3232.0 ).  The equipment is much better designed than the go card equipment and the thing that will make myki ultimately a huge success is the fare structure.  The fare structure for the myki would have to be at worlds best practice; catering for all types of users and actually encouraging public transport use.  The go card can be made very attractive by the simple addition of capping and periodical ticketing options.

Here is a snapshot of how I saw the first week with some suggestions for moving forward.  We want go card to be a huge success.

----------------------
From: http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3249.0

Observations

Much unnecessary angst due to a failure to heed advice offered for the past three years.

TransLink and the Government have had a major PR disaster (all could have been avoided).

Much misinformation circulating, some even in the media.

The failure to roll out the 400,000 free go cards as the new fares rolled in is utterly inexplicable.

Comparisons of the go card with other smart card systems needs to be interpreted very carefully, most individuals making such comparisons have not even used the go card  properly, let alone the other systems.

Fixes

Step up community education campaigns.  Get the public on board, not against the system.

Amnesty for new registered users for a few weeks to allow for the learning period.  This is not an invitation for fare evasion rather will help new users gain confidence knowing that should they have an issue or two, they can seek adjustment if desired.

Roll out the free go cards.

Install more equipment at rail stations and place top up facilities at the bus stations and key bus interchanges.  Make sure damaged and failed equipment is fixed within hours.

Introduce capping and periodical ticketing options for the go card (this alone will end a lot of the go grief).

Explain what the alternative will be for users unable to use the normal go card system, for what ever reason.

Clarify the policy for free travel when equipment is down.  It is NOT practical or safe for go card users to ascertain if all readers are down at a particular rail station.  If readers are not operating at platform of departure (or concourse as applicable) then users need to be clearly told they may travel in an untouched state.

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

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track

[#Metro]

It wasn't so long ago the pollies were bagging Sydney, Melbourne (and Perth?) about their contactless card system.
They even had enough hubris to give themselves a pat on the back in parliament about having the best system in Australia IIRC. HUBRIS!

I'm tempted to call for Myki in Brisbane, and inter-operability of the cards so that people (on business, travelling etc) can use their home-state card anywhere in Australia.

The failure to roll out the 400,000 free go cards as the new fares rolled in is utterly inexplicable.

We have a dedicated statutory authority solely dedicated to co-ordination and planning. And yet there appears to be mass disorganisation and band-aid sweetners on offer as compensation 400 000 "Free" GoCards that haven't been released and scramblings to get more retailers on board.

I'm starting to think that it is not all of TL's fault. Why is the minister touting all these announcements? I wouldn't be surprised if there was a turf war/interference between TL, The politicians, and the respective media spin divisions on both sides. How else does one explain the feel-good/band-aid sweeteners and mass disorganisation on the front end? It must be a reflection of mass disorganisation in the back end as well.

[#Metro]

Hmm. Looks like someone is really not happy: http://boycottgocard.com

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail 9th January 2010 page 60  Focus

Trouble on the cards

[ozbob]

Opposition Statement
http://www.fionasimpson.com.au/Pages/Article.aspx?ID=631

Happy New Year Translink commuters

Monday, 4 January 2010

Commuters returning to work tomorrow will be slapped with higher fares as the Bligh Labor Government turns to price gouging to pay off its debts, the LNP said today.

Shadow Minister for Transport Fiona Simpson said it was an unwelcome New Year present for thousands of commuters who were already struggling with delayed, cancelled and over-crowded services.

"Already we are seeing a decrease in the number of people using the Citytrain services* — what affect will the 20 per cent fare increase for gocard users and the 40 per cent fare increase for paper tickets have?

"Commuters will be asking themselves where the extra money gouged out of their pockets is going to.

"We know it won't be going towards a better maintenance program because the Minister has constantly denied that there are systemic faults in the rail network despite regular line and signal errors.

"Considering the Bligh Labor Government and Queensland Rail's roles in the Gravy Train affair and other lavish events, I think we can expect a lot of anger from commuters about the fare increases.

"Queenslanders want a safe, reliable and comfortable train system but it has to be affordable.

"If the Bligh Labor Government continues to punish commuters with higher fares for substandard services, I fear South East Queenslanders will simply abandon public transport and just get back into their cars."

*Source - Translink Tracker 2009-10 First Quarter Report

[dwb]

Hmm. Looks like someone is really not happy: http://boycottgocard.com

But WHO, it doesn't say! Grass roots should have names attached!!

[ozbob]

I'm starting to think that it is not all of TL's fault. Why is the minister touting all these announcements? I wouldn't be surprised if there was a turf war/interference between TL, The politicians, and the respective media spin divisions on both sides. How else does one explain the feel-good/band-aid sweeteners and mass disorganisation on the front end? It must be a reflection of mass disorganisation in the back end as well.

The Minister is where the buck begins and stops.

http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/T/TrantOpTLAA08.pdf

Section 18

18 Powers subject to Ministerial directions

The exercise of any of TransLink's powers is subject to Ministerial directions.

And Section 39

39 Ministerial directions or guidelines to TransLink

(1) The Minister may give TransLink—
(a) a written direction about the performance of its functions (a Ministerial direction); or
(b) written guidelines to help TransLink perform its functions.

(2) A Ministerial direction may prohibit TransLink from acquiring particular assets or assets of a particular type.

(3) TransLink must comply with a Ministerial direction.

[longboi]

I'm starting to think that it is not all of TL's fault. Why is the minister touting all these announcements? I wouldn't be surprised if there was a turf war/interference between TL, The politicians, and the respective media spin divisions on both sides. How else does one explain the feel-good/band-aid sweeteners and mass disorganisation on the front end? It must be a reflection of mass disorganisation in the back end as well.

The Minister is where the buck begins and stops.

http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/T/TrantOpTLAA08.pdf

Section 18

18 Powers subject to Ministerial directions

The exercise of any of TransLink's powers is subject to Ministerial directions.

And Section 39

39 Ministerial directions or guidelines to TransLink

(1) The Minister may give TransLink—
(a) a written direction about the performance of its functions (a Ministerial direction); or
(b) written guidelines to help TransLink perform its functions.

(2) A Ministerial direction may prohibit TransLink from acquiring particular assets or assets of a particular type.

(3) TransLink must comply with a Ministerial direction.

We are screwed. Rachel just doesn't cut it as a transport minister.

[ozbob]

I did a whois for boycottgocard.com  

They don't want to be known either, domain is privacy protected by

Whois Privacy Protection Service, Inc.
Whois Agent (pwvfplhl@whoisprivacyprotect.com)

[O_128]

I'm starting to think that it is not all of TL's fault. Why is the minister touting all these announcements? I wouldn't be surprised if there was a turf war/interference between TL, The politicians, and the respective media spin divisions on both sides. How else does one explain the feel-good/band-aid sweeteners and mass disorganisation on the front end? It must be a reflection of mass disorganisation in the back end as well.

The Minister is where the buck begins and stops.

http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/T/TrantOpTLAA08.pdf

Section 18

18 Powers subject to Ministerial directions

The exercise of any of TransLink's powers is subject to Ministerial directions.

And Section 39

39 Ministerial directions or guidelines to TransLink

(1) The Minister may give TransLink—
(a) a written direction about the performance of its functions (a Ministerial direction); or
(b) written guidelines to help TransLink perform its functions.

(2) A Ministerial direction may prohibit TransLink from acquiring particular assets or assets of a particular type.

(3) TransLink must comply with a Ministerial direction.

We are screwed. Rachel just doesn't cut it as a transport minister.

So how did she get the job over more experienced politicians?

A Health minister should have a degree in medicine a Transport minister a degree in townplanning and so forth.

[dwb]

A Health minister should have a degree in medicine a Transport minister a degree in townplanning and so forth.

I did a whois for boycottgocard.com 
They don't want to be known either, domain is privacy protected by
Whois Privacy Protection Service, Inc.
Whois Agent (pwvfplhl@whoisprivacyprotect.com)

That is unfortunate, as really it probably means they are politically backed... and that means its not grassroots but party-political, which means they've lost my trust already.... OR it means they are inside and would get fired if they're identity was known.... first option much more likely!

[longboi]

I'm starting to think that it is not all of TL's fault. Why is the minister touting all these announcements? I wouldn't be surprised if there was a turf war/interference between TL, The politicians, and the respective media spin divisions on both sides. How else does one explain the feel-good/band-aid sweeteners and mass disorganisation on the front end? It must be a reflection of mass disorganisation in the back end as well.

The Minister is where the buck begins and stops.

http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/T/TrantOpTLAA08.pdf

Section 18

18 Powers subject to Ministerial directions

The exercise of any of TransLink's powers is subject to Ministerial directions.

And Section 39

39 Ministerial directions or guidelines to TransLink

(1) The Minister may give TransLink—
(a) a written direction about the performance of its functions (a Ministerial direction); or
(b) written guidelines to help TransLink perform its functions.

(2) A Ministerial direction may prohibit TransLink from acquiring particular assets or assets of a particular type.

(3) TransLink must comply with a Ministerial direction.

We are screwed. Rachel just doesn't cut it as a transport minister.

So how did she get the job over more experienced politicians?

A Health minister should have a degree in medicine a Transport minister a degree in townplanning and so forth.

Ministers get their jobs through good, solid arse-kissing and nothing else.

[#Metro]

So how did she get the job over more experienced politicians?

Easy. Ms Bligh selected her.
IMHO TL has the experience and knowledge to handle this. Let TL do its job and take the heat as it should.

A Health minister should have a degree in medicine a Transport minister a degree in town planning and so forth.

IMHO there is too much churn and burn. Mr Lucas, Mr Mickel, Ms Nolan, who's next?
There is a saying... Democracy is the least worst form of government...

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Lucas backs performance of embattled transport minister

Lucas backs performance of embattled transport minister
Article from: The Courier-Mail

By Patrick Lion

January 10, 2010 11:00pm

ACTING Premier Paul Lucas has backed embattled Transport Minister Rachel Nolan after problems with the go card, but admitted the State Government must do better in rolling out the smartcard.

With Translink scrambling to limit the fallout over the lack of go card outlets by fast-tracking new sites at train stations today, the Opposition yesterday called for the scrapping of fare rises on paper tickets until smartcard problems were resolved.

Inspecting a new super bus with Ms Nolan in Brisbane yesterday, Mr Lucas praised Ms Nolan's efforts in the transport hot seat.

"Some of her initiatives, for example, in the area of taxi reform have been revolutionary," Mr Lucas said.

"Go card is operating whereas (in) no other state (it) is. So we have go card which operates and is stable. Rachel and I are determined to make things better and better and expect TransLink to do that."

His comments came as the first new super bus was unveiled, allowing capacity for 110 passengers instead of the 65-person capacity on a normal bus.

The $750,000 bus, with three doors and six go card readers, will be trialled from January 18 in Brisbane and Logan.

The moves to quell unrest over the lack of go card retailers at railway stations comes after The Courier-Mail reported last week that only 34 of the 144 stations in southeast Queensland sold go cards.

While Translink then promised another 94 outlets would open at train stations by March, the 34 stations with purchase points will be doubled to 68 from today.

"That means almost 90 per cent of train customers will have access to a go card at their home or destination station," Ms Nolan said.

Meanwhile, Translink has stood down two staff pending an investigation into how a customer's card credit was transferred to another person's account.

Blog comment:

I used the myki card in Melbourne last week.  The equipment is vastly superior to the go card equipment and the fare structure in Melbourne includes capping, periodical ticketing options and all other fares. It caters for all types of commuters.  Contrast that to the very poor ripoff fare structure for the go card.  The myki fare structure encourages public transport use.  The go card fare structure punishes public transport use.  Time for a major review.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

Important actions for Go card needed now!

11th January 2010

Greetings,

This is a summary of what is needed this week to save the Go card.  As user numbers surge it is CRITICAL that support is rapidly improved.
We thank TransLink for the increased helping hands initiatives commencing today ( http://www.translink.com.au/mediarelease.php?id=90 ).  But much more is needed:

1.  10 Jan 2010: SEQ: Go card call for new users amnesty for refund of fixed fares

2.  9 Jan 2010: SEQ: Go card, procedures for seeking reimbursement of fixed fares

3.  4 Jan 2010: SEQ: Go day is here, more fare options needed!

4.  3 Jan 2010: SEQ: Public transport fare increases and extra services

5.  1 Jan 2010: SEQ: Public transport fare cost increases - action or spin?

6.  30 Dec 2009: SEQ: Public transport commuter priorities for 2010!

7.  27 Dec 2009: SEQ: Go day looming, support and actions needed now

8.  22 Dec 2009: SEQ: Can the go card sustain the surge?

9.  20 Dec 2009: SEQ: Going with the Go card!

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Helping hands in Go Card push

Helping hands in Go Card push
MARISSA CALLIGEROS
January 11, 2010 - 8:58AM

Extra Go Card vendors have manned train and bus stations this morning to sell pre-loaded Go Cards after the State Government admitted it had not done enough to promote their availability.

The TransLink vendors, known as "helping hands", will be posted at key stations in a bid to meet the demand for the smart cards as more Brisbane residents return to work following the holiday season today.

It follows revelations 110 out of 144 railway stations across the south-east do not sell Go Cards making it extremely difficult for commuters to use the system.

But commuter lobby group Rail: Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said Brisbane public transport users would endure more "Go Grief" due to the bungled rollout.

Mr Dow said said more commuters would be forced to take up Go Cards as they felt the financial pinch of increased paper ticket prices.

The cost of paper tickets rose by up to 40 per cent on January 4, while Go Card fares increased by 20 per cent, leading to a rush on the electronic smart cards.

The State Government promised the cards would be available at an extra 100 retail outlets in the new year, but Mr Dow said the Government failed to deliver Go Cards to retailers in time.

"My local newsagency still hasn't been able get the pre-loaded Go Cards, although they have put their paperwork in, simply because there was a paperwork problem," Mr Dow said.

Meanwhile existing Go Card holders have been forced to tolerate unreliable equipment and long queues for a limited number of card readers at stations.

Mr Dow said rail commuters at Roma Street station this morning experienced noticeable delays as people queued to touch off.

"As the Go Card numbers surge we're going to find the system completely overloaded," Mr Dow said.

"There's a lot more that needs to be done to support a 100 per cent Go Card environment."

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said 6664 Go Cards were issued on the first day the new fare structure was in place.

Acting Premier Paul Lucas maintained the Go Card system was the envy of other states, but conceded the Government needed to better rolling out the smart cards.

An investigation is underway into how a person's Go Card credit was wrongly transferred to another person with the same name.

Two call centre employees have been stood down pending the outcome.

"People have raised a number of concerns about how the Go Card was rolled out in the last week or so and I've got to say that we need to do better with that," Mr Lucas told reporters yesterday.

"TransLink has got to make sure that it is doing everything in its power to make sure people get that people get proper levels of service, but having said that we have a Go Card system that is the envy of other states."

TransLink said the number of Go Cards issued had increased from about 700 a day to more than 1300 a day since the fare hike was announced in October.

Comment was being sought from TransLink on the new sales initiative this morning.

[ozbob]

I received a brochure from one of the 'helping hands' this morning.  I kept my questions about what happens with auto-top when the negative balance is far greater than the auto topup set for another time ... 

Good to see them out and about!

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times click here!

Go Card outlets double

Go Card outlets double

12th January 2010

THE number of outlets selling Go Cards in Ipswich has nearly doubled in the past three months, with Transport Minister Rachel Nolan claiming the government will expand the amount of vendors further still.

The Go Card system has come under fire in recent weeks for the number of card-reader failures and the limited number of outlets that sell the cards.

Paper ticket prices for trains and buses were raised by 40 per cent on January 1 to encourage commuters to switch to Go Cards.

Ms Nolan said claims Go Card outlets were too hard to find were wrong after about 1500 hundred were sold last week in Ipswich's 13 Go Card outlets.

"Over the past few months the number of outlets has nearly doubled, and people should remember they're available online and over the phone with TransLink," she said.

"We'll be looking to expand the amount of outlets further. At the moment it's hard to say where and when – if a newsagent or other businesses want to sell them, they'll be dealt with as they apply."

She said TransLink "helping hands" staff have been posted on Bell Street and Redbank Plains Shopping Plaza to help commuters who were struggling with the cards.

Meanwhile, Shadow Transport Minister Fiona Simpson has called for last week's 40 per cent fare increase on bus and train paper tickets to be scrapped until Go Cards are more widely available and trouble-free. Ms Simpson said problems with Go Card availability, card readers and privacy issues had scared commuters off using the new fare system.

In a move supported by Rail Back on Track, Ms Simpson said train and bus users should be able to access paper tickets at 2009 prices while the State Government fixes the teething problems.

"Thousands of commuters have paid the price for a system with limited outlets which charges them 40 per cent more if they use a paper ticket," she said.

There are many disadvantaged in our community paying a high price for paper at the moment, for various reasons they have not been able to access go cards and are paying are penalty for a botched roll out.  We have had a lot of feedback on this.  Most unsatisfactory situation.

e.g. typical feedback.

Increase for elderly travellers.

When I saw how much the 1 and 2 zone concession paper tickets were going up I cringed as some elderly only catch the bus once a week to the shops or occasionally to the doctors or something.  Some older people have a fear of the new technologies.  Even my dad's generation grew up with typewriters and logarithm books.  He gets most frustrated when a computer won't do what he wants it to.  The Government could have softened the blow to those pensioners and seniors by sending them a free Go Card in the mail with say $10 in credit on it with instructions on how to use it and stuff.  They were going to give away a whole heap of cards anyway weren't they?  I just think that some people wouldn't feel quite so screwed over if they got a $10 go card in the mail.

[Derwan]

Overheard a conversation on the train this morning.  One guy was quite happy that he'd had to head into the city on 31 December and was able to buy a monthly ticket at the pre-increase price.

I think there are probably a lot of people who would have purchased monthlies during December - especially in the week before Christmas.  It's not just the fact that people aren't back at work yet that would ease the Go Card rush.

Some would have also purchased the QR 3, 6 or 12 month tickets, but these represent a more significant investment.  Monthlies would probably have been be the ticket of choice for many trying to put off the increase and/or switch to Go Card.

[Nightwriter]

The station master at Dinmore was very actively encouraging these options (monthly,3/6/12 month tickets) in the lead up to the Christmas break. 

[somebody]

The QR term tickets were an option, but they were only suitable for users who didn't use buses or ferries also.

The major problem with buying a monthly before Xmas is that you were giving up about a quarter of the ticket unless you were using it between Xmas and 3 Jan.

[Derwan]

The major problem with buying a monthly before Xmas is that you were giving up about a quarter of the ticket unless you were using it between Xmas and 3 Jan.

True!  The 3rd of January would've been the perfect time to buy one - if you could find a manned station on a Sunday.  Otherwise it was 31 December (the last working day before 4 January).  I'm sure a few people popped down to their local station just to get a monthly.  (Wish I'd thought of that!)

[STB]

Not sure where to post this but from TransLink Twitter in response to when Go Cards will be available for purchase from the Airport stations.

Not at the moment - will be coming soon. Will tweet when available.

[dwb]

I feel kinda bad about bombing them on twitter, but just tweeted the following:
@translinkseq btw, gocard fares do no=2007 bc I could buy a tentripper or weekly and get that 20% discount you just stole
@translinkseq and just so you don't think i'm totally against fare increases (done the right way) read this http://www.tinyurl.com.au/ob
@translinkseq here's how you could make your fares fair http://www.tinyurl.com.au/oa
@translinkSEQ have a look at this for a good fare idea http://www.tinyurl.com.au/o9
@translinkSEQ fare increases in 2010, '11, '12, '13 and '14 is FIVE, not THREE, learn to count in your advertising.
@TranslinkSEQ why are paper fares ~45% more than Go card, when your advertising says 30%?!

Received following reply:
TransLinkSEQ @uniqueshmeek Thank you for the links. I have passed these on for review.
10:02 PM Jan 6th from web in reply to uniqueshmeek

[Derwan]

A few days old now, but still legitimate.  Gympie has no Go Card outlets.

From Gympie Times:

IT'S all very well for Translink to urge rail users to adopt go card to avoid the new and substantial price hike for a paper ticket, but try finding a place in Gympie to purchase one, and you'll be out of luck.

You can "top up" your go card at Gympie North Railway Station, but at this point, Gympie residents can only purchase one over the phone or online.

Member for Gympie, David Gibson, said it showed what an "absolute farce" the go card system was.

The State Government forgets people live beyond Brisbane City Council boundaries, he said.

The cost of paper tickets rose by up to 40 per cent this week, and consequently, more than 6500 people bought go cards on Monday alone.

But if you can't buy a go card you will cop the increased cost, Mr Gibson pointed out.

Commuter advocacy group, RAIL Back on Track, said the State Government should have increased the number of go card machines before fares increased on January 3.

Mr Gibson said elderly people are likely to be disadvantaged, and environmentally, it could be a backward step with Queenslanders opting to use their cars again rather than public transport, with fares rising by up to a dollar for a single journey.

Queensland Opposition Leader, John-Paul Langbroek, says the Office of Fair Trading should investigate the fare increases and the go card rollout.

"If you can't buy a go card anyway and you're penalised by using paper tickets, then clearly the massive increase in costs for someone using a paper ticket is unfair and should be a matter for fair trading to investigate," he said.

TransLink said there were plans to increase the number of go card retailers in coming months and that they had not finished rolling out the retail network.

Seniors Card doubling as a go card would also be rolled out this year, alongside a "limited life" card for occasional users and tourists.

[Nightwriter]

Go Card has just come up in the workplace, as a colleague has purchased a Go Card and has just attempted to register it online.  It has come up with a message 'unable to register at this time'.  She has just rung Translink to find out what the deal is.

She has purchased from a newsagent, and apparently (from what they have told her), there is some kind of upload that needs to be sent to Translink after the purchase of the card.  Obviously, I don't know the specifics coz I wasn't on the phone - but has anyone else heard of this?  She has semi registered her card with Translink but has been told that she wasn't able to set a password at that time - that she needs to use the card first, then ring Translink to set a password.

She obviously isn't impressed with her first 'brush' with Go Card.

Another colleague has reported that she gets on and off trains at Eagle Junction and about once a month the equipment fails.  She never bothers to report and takes the penalty - she couldn't be bothered trying to get a refund, its too hard.  I've advised that this means that Translink are getting data that isn't correct - the Minister stands up and says that there are minimal corrections being made, when its in fact because people can't be bothered (as long suspected)!!

[ozbob]

I think before the card can be registered the number must be on the active database, this is achieved (I think) by either a sales report or active use, which is ever first?  Only guessing.

Re folks not claiming adjustments.  We believe it is very wide spread and we have asked for the absolute number of fixed fares, rather than just the soft statistics made publicly available, that is the number of adjustments claimed.  Very misleading as you point out.

[Nightwriter]

I think before the card can be registered the number must be on the active database, this is achieved (I think) by either a sales report or active use, which is ever first?  Only guessing.

I figured that was probably the case, and told her that before she rang Translink.  The sellers of Go Card should just mention this when handing them over so that users know upfront, rather than having to waste time calling - although I realise that this doesn't effect the use of the card from the moment it is purchased.

Re folks not claiming adjustments.  We believe it is very wide spread and we have asked for the absolute number of fixed fares, rather than just the soft statistics made publicly available, that is the number of adjustments claimed.  Very misleading as you point out.

Well they wouldn't want to tell us that - it would make the whole system look bad!

Thanks for the reply!

[Derwan]

Go Card has just come up in the workplace, as a colleague has purchased a Go Card and has just attempted to register it online.  It has come up with a message 'unable to register at this time'.  She has just rung Translink to find out what the deal is.

She has purchased from a newsagent, and apparently (from what they have told her), there is some kind of upload that needs to be sent to Translink after the purchase of the card.  Obviously, I don't know the specifics coz I wasn't on the phone - but has anyone else heard of this?  She has semi registered her card with Translink but has been told that she wasn't able to set a password at that time - that she needs to use the card first, then ring Translink to set a password.

This happened to one of my work colleagues.  To make things worse, he's deaf, so another work colleague had to ring on his behalf - and then again the next day to get a password.

I also suggested that the card had to be used first, but he didn't want to wait.