Ministerial Statement: Big go card giveaway

[ozbob]

Follow up sent to all outlets:

29th June 2010

Greetings,

There is an important point concerning the 'free go card' distribution that most commentators have missed.  The initial commitment by the Deputy Premier and Minister was for $10 credit for travel on REGISTRATION.   Registered users moved on when it become obvious that the original commitment for go card distribution was not going to happen to support the changeover last January.  Many current users have incurred a lot of additional personal costs using the go card.  Time and charges for phone calls in seeking fixed fare adjustments have been considerable.  It would have been a simple thing to acknowledge the registered go card users for their loyalty and patience by giving them the credit which was clearly indicated would be for registered users.  No, flawed logic and panic prevails.

The current distribution is nothing but an attempt to 'buy' more go card users, only two thirds of all trips are on the go card at the moment.  This is amazing considering the price differential for paper relative go card fares, and highlights why a decent go card fare structure is required. The plan by government is to withdraw all paper tickets at the end of this year, so we have seen the current users pushed aside and hence the distribution with a bonus $10 now (current go card users are excluded).  It would have been much more effective if the original plan of $10 on registration was stuck with.  This would have helped ensure the cards went to genuine public transport users.  Much anecdotal evidence already that most of these current free go cards will be used and put aside.  A disappointing waste.

The amount of money wasted on go card advertising is also concerning.  Promises of extra services have not been met.  It is little wonder that the community is becoming increasingly concerned and frustrated.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track

[mufreight]

A neighbor of mine intends to apply for and using the process as it has presented will have no problems in obtain multiple free cards, he will then use each for one long commute and one shorter trip thus using the preloaded ten dollars up then discard the card but will keep the last card as his registered card which he will then top up.
There is no doubt that there will be many who will also wrought the system in a similar manner thus the figures of the numbers of cards issued when compared with the numbers of cards actually in use will hold no credibility as they will be very much inflated, good for the Ministers next press release and Translink's media spin and report but a total waste to commuters.
Far better that all registered card holders receive a $10 credit to encourage usage and that would encourage further uptake of cards by those wishing to avail themselves of the benefit.
It would also provide a measure of compensation for those long suffering registered card holders who have endured the failings of a less than user friendly Go card system to this time.

[Derwan]

From Brisbane Times: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/commuters-slow-to-go-to-go-20100705-zx9n.html

Commuters slow to go to Go

More than two-thirds of 370,000 free Go Cards being given away by the state government remain unclaimed, with only days left of the promotion designed to convert commuters from paper tickets.

With the giveaway period set to expire on the weekend, Translink yesterday confirmed only 110,000 people had taken up the offer to claim the free Go Cards, complete with $10 credit.

A Translink spokesman said 12,600 pre-loaded Go Cards had been handed out during 10 public events held since early last week, while 97,400 people had signed up online.

That meant 260,000 free Go Cards were yet to be claimed.

Translink also printed application forms in newspapers last week, so some hard copy application forms could still be in the mail.

The giveaway was designed to lure loyal paper ticket users across to the newer smart card technology before physical tickets are phased out at the end of the year.

Queenslanders have until Sunday to claim their own card, pre-loaded with $10 worth of travel credit for use on public buses, trains and ferries.

A Translink spokesman said customers were responding well to the rollout and the uptake was steadily increasing.

"Translink expects to see a spike in Go Card use from Monday, July 26, as most people will have their new Go Cards and school [and] university will have returned for second semester," he said.

<SNIP>

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Commuters slow to snap up free go cards

Commuters slow to snap up free go cards

    * From: The Courier-Mail
    * July 06, 2010 11:00PM

THE handout of 370,000 free go cards to commuters in the southeast has been slow, with two-thirds of the cards yet to be claimed.

The promotion, designed to encourage commuters to take up the cards before the phasing out of paper tickets, will expire within days with only 110,000 handed out.

Only 12,600 of the cards, which have $10 worth of travel, have been handed out at public events. A further 97,400 have been handed out online and given away through the Go Ready campaign for seniors and pensioners.

Opposition transport spokeswoman Fiona Simpson said the rollout had been bungled.

No great surprise, must public transport users have a go card, acknowledging the contribution by registered users to this point in conjunction with the free distribution would have been a lot smarter ...

[ozbob]

Follow up to all outlets:

7th July 2010

Greetings,

Media reports of the slow go card distribution just further highlights our point of view with respect to this distribution.  As we suggested in media release (below) SEQ:  Go card give away misses the bus acknowledging the contribution by the present registered go card users, in conjunction with the belated go card distribution would have been a much smarter public relations tool, and in time actually drive greater uptake.  Most regular public transport users have a go card.  The slow take up just confirms why it is necessary to fix the fare structure for the go card to include capping and periodical fare enhancements.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track

RAIL Back On Track Admin wrote:
26th June 2010

Greetings,

A letter to editor in today's Courier Mail (Go card users deserve reward) highlights the general feelings of go card users to the free go giveaway commencing this  Monday, 28th June.

We have also received a lot of similar feedback.

Great shame that public transport users have again been belted.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
RAIL Back On Track

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

Media Release 19 June 2010 re-released 26 June 2010
 
SEQ:  Go card give away misses the bus

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 welcomed the announcement of the go card give-away (1). It is disappointing though that registered users are locked out of the free distribution.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Last October when announcing the new fare structure for public transport in south-east Queensland there was a commitment to a distribution of 400,000 go cards with a $10 credit on registration (2).  Ideally those cards would have been best distributed when the new fares impacted last January.  Due to the huge fare increases for paper relative to go card many commuters have been forced to take up a go card already and will now miss out, particularly if they have registered their go card."

"According to the announcement on the TransLink web site the planned distribution of go cards with $10 credit is only for people who do not already have a go card. People who have not registered their go card will be able to seek out one of the free go cards as there is no way of knowing if they have one already. Registered users should have been given a bonus $10 credit as well in recognition of their role as the 'trial' group for the go card, use and online system.  Many registered go card users have spent a lot of money on phone calls in chasing fixed fare reimbursements, and have lost a lot of time as well. In many cases they have 'worn' fixed fare fines as it was either too costly or too difficult time wise to chase reimbursement."

"We applaud the fact that TransLink will be keeping around 30,000 go cards for distribution at Go ready education sessions for Seniors, Pensioners and others."

"It is very disappointing though that the core user group for the go cards; registered users, have been disregarded with this free go give-away.  This is likely to rebound on the efficiency of the distribution of the go cards to new users as many people will now be motivated to chase a free go card for reimbursement for their additional expenditures as result of using the go card as a registered user."

References:

1. http://www.translink.com.au/gocardgiveaway.php

2. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2877.msg14961#msg14961

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times click here!

Go Card promise lost in transit

Go Card promise lost in transit

7th July 2010

THE decision to delay the handout of 400,000 free Go Cards has left the Bligh Labor Government with about 260,000 cards that no one wants, the LNP says.

Main Roads and Transport Opposition spokeswoman Fiona Simpson said it was sad that Translink couldn't give away free public transport fares.

"When the Minister announced this Government would be increasing public transport fares by 40 per cent, south-east Queensland commuters were promised hundreds of thousands of free cards to sweeten the deal," Ms Simpson said.

"The higher fares came in and thousands of commuters battled to find locations to top up or purchase a Go Card, while others battled to be charged the correct fares or recover money lost to faulty machines. They will not see any of the benefits, with only Queenslanders who do not own a Go Card able to get free fares."

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said Go Cards made public transport more efficient.

"It means that our buses and trains can load people and unload them more quickly and everybody can get where they need to go as quickly and on time as possible."

[Derwan]

Today I received 3 of the 4 Go Cards I ordered for "other family members".  They may have limited it to 3 because there was already a registered Go Card (mine) at the address.

[O_128]

Got my 5 today 

[Jon Bryant]

Please take them to a local charity and hand them over to someone who really needs them.

[ozbob]

http://www.fionasimpson.com.au/Pages/Article.aspx?ID=734

Decision to delay go card release leaves free fares on the shelf

Tuesday, 6 July 2010

The decision to delay the handout of 400,000 free go cards has left the Bligh Labor Government with approximately 260,000 cards that no-one wants, the LNP said today.

Shadow Minister for Main Roads and Transport Fiona Simpson said it was a sad state of affairs when Translink couldn't even give away free public transport fares.

"When the Minister announced this Government would be increasing public transport fares by 40 per cent, South East Queensland commuters were promised hundreds of thousands of free cards would be handed out to sweeten the deal," Ms Simpson said.

"In October 2009, Commuters were told 400,000 cards with $10 credit would be handed out to encourage take up of the electronic ticketing system.

"What we know is the higher fares came in and thousands of commuters battled to find locations to top up or purchase a go card while others battled to be charged the correct fares or recover money lost to faulty machines.

"These commuters will not see any of the benefits of this giveaway, with only Queenslanders who do not already own a go card able to get the free fares."

Ms Simpson said the slow take up of the free go cards showed the Government had mismanaged the roll out.

"The Bligh Labor Government messed up the roll out of the go cards and now its delays have messed up the distribution of the free cards," Ms Simpson said.

"How can Minister Nolan say everything is okay when this Government can't even give these cards away?"

[#Metro]

I have an idea.

All go cards unclaimed within 30 days are to be withdrawn from the promotion.
The money should then be re-directed at improving rail services for the Sunshine Coast.

[Derwan]

Please take them to a local charity and hand them over to someone who really needs them.

For anyone who really needs them, there are still 200,000-odd that they can order for themselves! 

[Jon Bryant]

Sleep well then

[stephenk]

I have an idea.

All go cards unclaimed within 30 days are to be withdrawn from the promotion.
The money should then be re-directed at improving rail services for the Sunshine Coast.

The money might just cover the cost of QR's new stickers on the side of it's trains.

Did TransLink do any market research on the expected uptake of this giveaway? Do Translink really think that a Go-Card with $10 on it will entice 100s of thousands of people to use public transport instead of the more expensive option of improving frequency and coverage of services? I think the huge failure of this giveaway shows just how out of touch TransLink are with both existing and potential public transport users.

Many rail commuters are sick and fed up with Go-Card issues, poor fare structure, large price hikes, and poor frequencies - a free $10 Go-card (of which many commuters cannot claim if they abide by the rules) will not entice them back. Only spending considerable sums of money of infrastructure, trains, and more services will attract more people to use rail.

[ozbob]

Media Release 8 July 2010

SEQ: Suggestions for the remaining 'free' go cards

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 said it appears that the 400,000 go card distribution with $10 credit will result in around 50% of the go cards not being claimed.  This provides an opportunity to keep more go cards back for Seniors and other disadvantaged groups, and make a limited travel quantum available for registered go card users as of the 18th June 2010.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The major issue with the go card is the failure of the fare structure to provide capping and periodical options. This is of much concern in view of the phase out of paper tickets at the end of the year. The failure of the 'free' go card distribution also highlights that better frequency of public transport is needed to drive change, rather than attempt to 'buy' new users (1). The major issue with public transport in south-east Queensland is the poor rail frequency, particularly off peak."

"It does seem over 200,000 go cards will be left over.  We suggest that 100,000 go cards be kept for Seniors and other disadvantaged users for future distribution.  The remaining travel quantum be available to registered go card users as of the 18th June 2010.  A simple online claim process could be put in place.  This would recognise the efforts of these registered users in proving the go card system."

Reference:

1. 19 June 2010: SEQ: Go card give away misses the bus http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3981.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[Derwan]

Paper ticket users probably spend an extra $10 each week (or at least each month) anyway.  If they're willing to spend the extra, they're probably not going to be swayed by saving another $10.

[brismike]

My 15 yo cat has asked me to apply for a go card for her. Because cat years are the equivalent of 7 human years should I apply for a senior one or just go for the child one? Maybe I'll just get a normal one for her and hope for the best. She is looking forward to using public transport to see all her other cat friends. 

[Derwan]

My 4th one arrived today.

2 of them have now genuinely gone to people who didn't have them (i.e. my new housemates).  I've encouraged them to register the cards.

[WTN]

I got 2 free go cards today after about a week. If mine wasn't registered I could've applied for another (if I was sneaky). Now the whole (human) family has go cards.

[mufreight]

Now that the cat and the budgie have their cards the question arises should another card be obtained for the goldfish and what card should be applied for considering the special needs and restricted income of a goldfish.
Suggestions please

[Jon Bryant]

...and you guys have the hide to lecture others about what potentially gives this forum a bad name!!! Boasting about ripping off the State Government dosen't??

[ozbob]

I think most of these comments are TIC!  The extra cards are invariably for relatives, I organised three for my in laws.    The way it works is cards are claimed on an individual basis with ID checks as needed.  TL wanted the cards to go to new users, and so they have!

The fact is the distribution has failed miserably.   Hopefully they will keep back a large number for pensioners and other disadvantaged groups.

[Derwan]

Boasting about ripping off the State Government dosen't??

But they ripped us off first!  We're just getting even! 

[mufreight]

Unfortunately some have no sense of humor and are unable to recognize a cynical spoof on another flawed and failed  initiative by Translink and the Minister having only a sense of the ridiculous which is sadly too frequently presented to all to the detriment of many.     

[O_128]

This wouldn't have happened  if the roll-out had been in January like it should have been.

[ozbob]

A reminder, to please respect each others opinions and views.

Thanks.  Reminder click here!

[Derwan]

I have to say I quite enjoyed mufreight's post about the goldfish.  It is written in the same manner as his usual (serious) posts and I got quite a laugh out of it.

I think it's important to point out:

• No one is advocating lying to TransLink to obtain a card or encouraging anyone to do it.
• Suggestions have been made that some people are obtaining cards illegitimately - either because they have one already or they have used false names.  People who do this do so at their own risk.
• There are still many thousands of cards left.  Even if people have obtained more than their fair share, they haven't deprived anyone from obtaining a card legitimately.

Yes - we've turned thing whole thing into a joke - and I believe that is rightly so.  TransLink is trying to give away cards with $10 credit as an incentive for people to take up the new technology when people have already had all the incentive they need since 1 January.  This should have been done at the end of last year.

[Otto]

I had a few GoCards arrive in the mail this week... These cards are for family members who have been borrowing my GoCard for travel... Now I can keep my card to myself !

May I suggest, Some of the surplus cards could be given to Bus Drivers who could then distribute cards to intending passengers who may be otherwise caught out by not having sufficient funds for fares or other unplanned circumstances. This could be done as a Goodwill gesture on behalf of Translink.. Result, Happy passenger and a possible new GoCard Convert..

[somebody]

Great suggestion actually.

[ozbob]

According to 612 ABC Brisbane radio go card distribution is to be extended.

[ozbob]

Live TL on radio 612 ABC Brisbane now, to be continued for another two weeks ... 

[ozbob]

Follow up:

12th July 2010

Greetings,

Breaking news the 'free' go card distribution to continue.  How about keeping the remaining cards for Seniors and other disadvantaged groups?  Acknowledge the contribution by registered users these past two years.  Slapping them  in the face by excluding them is not smart at all.  Forget the rhetoric, facts speak for themselves.  The distribution has been a flop.

Best wishes
Robert

=========

Media Release 8 July 2010
 
SEQ:  Suggestions for the remaining 'free' go cards

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 said it appears that the 400,000 go card distribution with $10 credit will result in around 50% of the go cards not being claimed.  This provides an opportunity to keep more go cards back for Seniors and other disadvantaged groups, and make a limited travel quantum available for registered go card users as of the 18th June 2010.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The major issue with the go card is the failure of the fare structure to provide capping and periodical options. This is of much concern in view of the phase out of paper tickets at the end of the year. The failure of the 'free' go card distribution also highlights that better frequency of public transport is needed to drive change, rather than attempt to 'buy' new users (1). The major issue with public transport in south-east Queensland is the poor rail frequency, particularly off peak."

"It does seem over 200,000 go cards will be left over.  We suggest that 100,000 go cards be kept for Seniors and other disadvantaged users for future distribution.  The remaining travel quantum be available to registered go card users as of the 18th June 2010.  A simple online claim process could be put in place.  This would recognise the efforts of these registered users in proving the go card system."

Reference:

1. 19 June 2010: SEQ: Go card give away misses the bus http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3981.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

612 ABC Brisbane  Breakfast with Spencer Howson click --> here!

Translink extends Go-Card giveaway

12 July 2010 , 8:15 AM by Spencer Howson

Translink's extended its free Go-Card giveaway by two weeks. To apply for your $10 Go-Card, visit www.gocardgiveaway.com.au.

[ozbob]

Twitter

TransLinkSEQ
 
go card giveaway has been extended for two more weeks! Apply online at www.gocardgiveaway.com.au
21 minutes ago via web

[mufreight]

Good now my neighbor has the opportunity to get cards for the mice and his cockatoo and his toucan to.
:bi

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Go Card giveaway extended

Go Card giveaway extended
TONY MOORE
July 12, 2010 - 12:23PM

After struggling to give free Go Cards away, Translink has extended its scheme by two weeks, the state government confirmed this morning.

Translink planned to give away 400,000 Go Cards, armed with $10 credit, in an attempt to encourage more people to trial the electronic payment scheme.

However, less than half were given away during the two-week period and the government has agreed to extend the giveaway period to July 25.

The giveaway included 370,000 normal cards and 30,000 for seniors, called Go Ready cards.

Translink spokesman Andrew Berkman said they had given away 200,000 free Go Cards with $10 credit, but still believed there were commuters who had not trialled the card.

"We have given away more than 200,000 Go Cards as part of this promotion and we believe there is still demand from potential customers to get on board and give public transport a go," he said.

Mr Berkman said the $10 cards had already been noticed in the system.

"A large number of these cards were already in use by the middle of last week as new customers show they are willing to use public transport if they have access to the right tools," he said.

More than 60 per cent of public transport trips now use a Go Card.

There were 23.6 million Go Card trips between January and March 2010, more than double the trips for the same quarter last year.

[mufreight]

If as Mr Berkman asserts there is now more than double the number of trips by commuters using the Go Cards this year when compared with the previous year why is that based on Translink figures the public transport (rail journeys) usage has dropped?
Perhaps increased pricing and lack of adequate levels of service (frequencies) are the answer.

Also of interest, of the million plus cards that have been issued how many are actually in use?
As each card has its own identifier it should be relatively simple to collate the figures of the actual number of cards that have been used as well as the total numbers of trips undertaken

[awotam]

I contacted Trans Link via their on line form to query the unavailability of these free Go cards to registered users. Here's their response... almost 3 weeks later... 
"Thank you for contacting TransLink regarding the go card giveaway.  I apologise for the delay in responding to you.


I can assure you that if you already have a go card you have saved money, as you are being charged less that a paper ticket price for the journey.


The promotion is open to all residents of Queensland who do not already have a TransLink go card to encourage more people to use public transport.


We hope that this information has been of assistance to you.

Kind regards"

[#Metro]

Looks like they told you to BUZ off... 

[somebody]

Seriously, what did you expect them to say: "This give away was necessary to fulfill a political promise."?