Myki fare structure

[ozbob]

An article which appeared in the RoyalAuto March 2010 edition, magazine of the RACV.

Click --> here!  PDF 160KB

This is the fare structure needed for the go card.

[Derwan]

This is the fare structure needed for the go card.

I personally disagree.  I think the concept of daily/weekly caps is outdated paper-only thinking where the only way to provide a "return" for multiple modes is to make it a "daily" - and the easiest way to provide a frequent user discount was to make the cost of weeklies, monthlies, etc less than the cost for individual dailies.

We need to move forward in our thinking.  My main points are:

• Fair pay for usage - under a daily cap, someone making several trips in a day pays the same as someone making 2 trips, which isn't very fair.  While a discount should be available (my next point), each trip (that isn't a continuation) should have some fee attached to it.
• Frequent users need discounts - both daily and weekly.  Neither is currently addressed (unless you travel more than 5 days a week - or more than twice in one day and enough days in the week).  This is worse than the previous weekly option that gave you a "free" day because you were a frequent PT user.
• No upfront payments - the system should be able to determine eligibility for discounts without having to make an upfront payment for a period and/or electing a particular period option and/or zones.

[ozbob]

Capping encourages maximum public transport utilisation, and no different to periodical ticketing options in reality. (A capping algorithm could be twice highest journey plus a daily loading as we have suggested).

I don't know of a public transport system that doesn't offer daily and periodical options.  The go card has been flagged for further fare options, will be interesting to see what happens.

Capping could be done way with if there was periodical options, there isn't so the masses want capping.

[stephenk]

Capping is definitely required to attract people to use public transport more frequently. I strongly disagree that people should have to pay per journey - this does not promote the use of public transport. In London where I had a weekly ticket, I wouldn't have to think twice about making many journeys in one day or at the weekends. Most cities have a daily and/or weekly ticket. However in "backwards" pay per journey Brisbane, I'm now having to think twice before using public transport for anything more than the daily commute. My public transport usage (particularly at weekends) has decreased since the new fare structure was introduced.

[somebody]

My public transport usage (particularly at weekends) has decreased since the new fare structure was introduced.

I'm surprised to hear this.  If you have qualified for the frequent user discount, the additional price is likely to be cheaper than fuel, except for very short trips.  It's the one station train trips that I can't be bothered with anymore.

[dwb]

Periodical tickets, especially beyond a month favour those financially who least need a discount. I'm HIGHLY against having for instance a year product, as most will not be able to purchase it.

I am however highly supporting of people being able to "cap" what they buy and I'm also supportive of a "user/benefiter pays system". I also think that "frequent" users may also be those who don't commute with PT... what is the govt's fascination with commuters?

How do these all go together? Easy, just like a mobile phone cap. YOU pick your value to spend each week/month. That "value" has a corresponding level of discount when pre-chosen. The higher the value the higher the discount. Post paid. Charges in excess of cap are charged at full value, however customers can adjust next week/month's cap accordingly. The system encourages more and more use - just think about mobiles, lots of people don't even have landlines these days.... if only we could get it so that lots and lots of people don't own cars in a decade it would be awesome. Go card needs to encourage this.