Moving forwards - new fare strategy needed

[ozbob]

Paper is planned to be phased out end of this year.  We are to expect a 15% increase in fares from January 2011 ( http://www.translink.com.au/fares2011_14.php ), off peak fare discount to rise to 15%.  If the fare increase is to proceed I would suggest the off peak discount should be at least 20%, preferably 30%.   This will help to spread the load a little out of peaks. Commensurate with this must be a real increase in peak frequency (some) but better off peak frequency.  Additionally, a radical overhaul of feeder buses - times of operation particularly and station buses needs consideration.  Further fare enhancements to include capping and periodical options are needed.  Some may disagree, and that is fine, but the reality is the majority of community want it.  It is a constant issue.

A half empty off peak train is better filled with off peak punters.  Overall more revenue and more savings to the community generally.

I would go as far to suggest that if we don't get a major change in direction with the fare strategy, the opposition will walk in the next election.

Any comments?

[ozbob]

The Draft Connecting SEQ 2031 document states that under supporting principles for an integrated public transport network, point 7 ' Use fares products to encourage people to shift from car transport, and to manage and direct passenger growth '  (page 45)

IT IS A NO BRAINER!!  

Enough of the mediocrity.  As taxpayers it is our investment in the go card, time it was used properly.  If the government and its agencies are not capable of moving forward, please stand aside, and allow others who will to properly implement 'best practice' polices.

[#Metro]

I would gladly forgo any discount for myself in return for increased frequency.
At a recent weekday evening I just missed the train and was subjected to yet another
gruelling 30 minute wait, and this is just off the peak hour too. It was ~ 6pm!

That is a huge cost to someone's time. Probably larger than the ticket price itself!

Ridiculous! Why is this allowed to continue?
The only other city doing this badly is Adelaide, and they have diesels.

The peak discount could be 100% and not much would happen because of
access to the station issues (no decent bike facilities, no feeder bus, bus not timed,
bus stops a huge distance away and no map or signage on platform) and generally abysmal frequency.

The BUZzing of buses show that after frequency boosts, patronage levels
on most Sunday BUZ routes was at levels higher than weekdays.

[ozbob]

Since I retired last July, my travel patterns have changed. I can access Darra, Oxley or Corinda rail stations reasonably easily.  I am now tending to gravitate towards catching the train from Corinda.  Most of my travel is now out of peak.  Why am I heading to Corinda?  F R E Q U E N C Y.  Corinda has a 15 minute frequency during the day, boy, does it make a difference.  Hopefully in 2011 Darra and Oxley will step up to what is probably the minimum frequency to drive patronage growth.

Off peak fares are here to stay and are an important tool to drive better service utilisation.  But the system has to be improved in terms of overall frequency, feeder buses and connections.

It is interesting noting the change in demographics travelling off peak.  It is fun too, plenty of room generally.  Room that can be utilised by others.


http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/sciences/physics/acoustics/General/Wavelength2/freq-wavelength.jpg

[Barbar]

QR execs will continue to ignore the frequency issue because they know any increase in service frequency, given the current state of network infrastructure, will no doubt have a negative impact on the new OTP KPI; not to mention the waving of the monetary fine big stick that IMO really only acts as a disincentive to change...... unfortunately, the  F R E Q U E N C Y status quo will prevail for many years to come..

[somebody]

QR execs will continue to ignore the frequency issue because they know any increase in service frequency, given the current state of network infrastructure, will no doubt have a negative impact on the new OTP KPI; not to mention the waving of the monetary fine big stick that IMO really only acts as a disincentive to change...... unfortunately, the  F R E Q U E N C Y status quo will prevail for many years to come..

The fining regime has been abolished.  Also, I think the formation of QR Passenger has been a godsend.  Previously, they just regarded pax as an annoyance, and didn't want to have more of them, in part because that would increase the difficulty of providing bus replacements for trackwork for example.  Or at least that's my conspiracy theory.

I would go as far to suggest that if we don't get a major change in direction with the fare strategy, the opposition will walk in the next election.

I would not go that far, and I would also suggest that the opposition are still able to lose the election like they did last time.

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Commuters snub go-cards and stick to paper tickets

Commuters snub go-cards and stick to paper tickets

    * by Ursula Heger
    * From: The Courier-Mail
    * September 14, 2010 12:00AM

THOUSANDS of the southeast's public transport users are still clinging to paper tickets three months before they are phased out.

More than 40 per cent of commuters are yet to convert to go cards, even though paper ticket prices are substantially higher for the same trip.

Data released by TransLink, the transport authority, shows at June 30 this year just 58.8 per cent of regular commuters used go cards, up only 4 per cent on the previous quarter.

Uptake of go cards slowed after a 21.6 per cent jump following fare hikes on paper tickets at the start of the year.

Paper tickets cost up to 40 per cent more than go cards. Paper tickets on the southeast's buses, trains and ferries will be abolished at the end of the year, prompting fears the network could be thrown into chaos as commuters struggle with the change.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said there would still be an option available when paper tickets were phased out, but refused to outline the plan.

She said the figures did not include the 400,000 free go cards given out this year.

"We always expected it would take people some time to become familiar and comfortable with the new system," Ms Nolan said.

TransLink has begun closing off some entrances in inner-city stations to paper ticket users ahead of the phase out, with Roma St and Fortitude Valley stations joining Central with go card-only gates as part of a crackdown on fare evaders.

Commuter advocacy group Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said the go card fare structure needed to be improved to attract more commuters to make the switch.

"The basic fare structure for the go card needs improvement," he said. "That should include daily capping, periodical ticket options like a weekly or a monthly, and we would also like to see special daily seniors caps as well.

"In many cases people will still choose to buy a daily because for that they can have unlimited journeys – that's good for public transport but they aren't using the go cards."

Opposition transport spokeswoman Fiona Simpson said the Government had taken a "heavy-handed approach" to the go card implementation, and should hold off on the phase out of paper tickets until other options have been rolled out.

"There are still customers who find they don't have the flexibility that they had in fare options under the paper tickets," she said. "There was (also) supposed to be an option for a casual go card user and the tourists – and we haven't seen it."

[ozbob]

Media Release 13 September 2010

SEQ:  Good preparation makes things run smoothly

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 suggests that in the lead up to paper ticketing being abolished and new year fare price increases, that good preparation makes things run smoothly.

This year's situation when fares were significantly increased but various initiatives to improve the frequency or service levels were simply too late, left many commuters dissatisfied and shaking their heads in bemusement. Major fare increases should go hand-in-hand with service improvements.

Some reasons why public transport commuters were not happy:

* Bus and train frequency improvements not arriving for up to 6 months after fare increases
* Poor timing of the go card promotion, which was launched well after fares had increased and most passengers had already purchased go cards
* The opening of RBWH busway station, yet route 66 was not extended for 7 months, leading to overcrowding and long waits at Busway bus stations.

"From the beginning of 2011, fares will increase again and paper tickets will be abolished apparently."

"We urge that frequency improvements are planned and coordinated to go hand-in-hand with the planned fare increases and abolition of paper tickets. An improved fare structure for the go card is also needed."

"New timetables for trains with increased frequency (1), redesigned existing feeder bus routes (2) to rail with significantly boosted frequency and new BUZ services such as a BUZ 110, 300, 450 or overhauled 599/598 would be simple, quick and effective things to do for the 2011 new year, however planning needs to start now."

"Doing these things together will also make it easier to communicate the changes and make it worthwhile for TransLink's 'helping hands' to spread the message."

References:

1. SEQ: The Ipswich-Caboolture lines: Could these be Brisbane's first metro-like services?
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4376.0

2. SEQ: Improving transfer opportunities, improves the integration of the TransLink network
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4363.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Editorial Courier Mail 14th September 2010 page 20

Work still to be done before it's all systems go

[#Metro]

The Draft Connecting SEQ 2031 document states that under supporting principles for an integrated public transport network, point 7 ' Use fares products to encourage people to shift from car transport, and to manage and direct passenger growth '  (page 45)

It won't work unless the abysmal frequency of the shoulder peak and off peak services are improved.
Before the public gets pushed into the off-peak times with the fare stick, there really should be more services for them to shift into.
Are there enough GoCard machines and ticket machines? The ferry system isn't ready IMHO with ticket machines; Ideally there should be machines at the busiest ferry stops. Good to see TL  with the auto-top up advertisements.

Here's hoping! 

[STB]

It seems there is a bit of a communication problem occuring with some people saying they won't use Go Card because there's no automatic top up function, when there is.  In a clear advertisement on The Courier Mail website...

[ozbob]

I just took part in a short interview on ABC FM Gold Coast, followed by Andrew Berkman from TL.  A number of misconceptions sorted down there, as well as a clear indication that consideration of fare enhancements etc. is being undertaken.  Also a committment that changes would be flagged 6 to 8 weeks out, which reminds January 2011 is coming faster than a speeding R711.

[somebody]

Again with the secrecy.

[Derwan]

Again with the secrecy.

Exactly.  In other words, they have no idea what they're going to do and are racing to put something together before January.

Phrases like "we're reviewing" and "are in consideration" are desperate attempts to appease the public when no plans are in place.

[#Metro]

I am hopeful TL will pull off a good job and avoid a PR disaster like last time. TransLink and Public Transport in general got the Courier-Mail'ed treatment around last time. Comments on CM were something like 170+, 270+ so I think they know that it is very important.

All the "government is price gouging the battlers" stories will run like water out of a tap; I'm sure TL will have some new services up its sleeve to show that the money is being spent "every single cent" on new services. TL in my opinion isn't perfect, but overall I actually think it is doing a good job. It certainly has got patronage up, the next goal is to get mode share up. 

Some snapshots:
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/anna-bligh-lures-commuters-to-go-card-with-giveaway-plan/story-e6freoof-1225786833304
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/no-worms-for-brisbane-early-birds-20091015-gywl.html
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/ready-to-pay-more-for-public-transport-20100104-lno8.html
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/stampede-for-go-card-engulfs-translink/story-e6freoof-1225816078160
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/taxpayers-subsidise-every-rail-trip-while-citytrain-passengers-continue-to-decline/story-e6freon6-1225880113638

[#Metro]

Exactly.  In other words, they have no idea what they're going to do and are racing to put something together before January.

Phrases like "we're reviewing" and "are in consideration" are desperate attempts to appease the public when no plans are in place.

I think TL should be given the time to do what they need to do the drafting and deliberative work.
I trust that they will have something to show commuters that they are getting new services and that the fare hike is worth paying for.

[somebody]

Really, it is the BUZification program which has increased patronage.  TL have done little for that program, although they didn't prevent a BUZ 412.  I have trouble giving much credit to TL for increasing patronage.

Again with the secrecy.

Exactly.  In other words, they have no idea what they're going to do and are racing to put something together before January.

Phrases like "we're reviewing" and "are in consideration" are desperate attempts to appease the public when no plans are in place.

I'm quite sure that they had in mind what they were doing with the 400 route for some time but just didn't announce it.

It is my theory that their plan is singles & go card only from 2011.  Seems a fair plan to me.

"We're reviewing" = "don't you worry about that!"

[#Metro]

Really, it is the BUZification program which has increased patronage.  TL have done little for that program, although they didn't prevent a BUZ 412.  I have trouble giving much credit to TL for increasing patronage.

I think this is true. BUZ really has done miracles really!
TL has this "HFP" or UrbanLink bus, but does anyone know if any have been rolled out anywhere?

It also shows that busway is helpful to, but not critical for patronage increases (as 444 runs on roads mainly).
More BUZ buses please!

Time to get Train Upgrade Zone and Feeder Upgrade Zone in that mix though  

[Golliwog]

My understanding was the the BUZ 412 was actually a HFP, but no one really understood what a HFP was in the general public so it was easier PR wise to just call it a BUZ. Also, Urbanlink and all that are not Translink thing. Yet. They are QLD Transport and Main Roads ideas floated in the draft Connecting SEQ 2031 document.

[#Metro]

They had better get all these names under control.  I understand all these jazzed up services, frilly names etc are great to point at come election time, but too many names, logos, colours and symbols will just bamboozle commuters.

The KISS principle: Keep it simple!

[ozbob]

The article at CM has certainly generated a lot of blog interest --> here!