Massive public transport price increases - what advice do we now give tourists

[AnonymouslyBad]

I had some family visiting Brisbane a few weeks ago.

As they were only going to look around the city for one day, they saw no point in getting a go card. Not wanting to be "those people" that spend five minutes holding up a bus to buy tickets, they used one of the new ticket machines - which only sells single paper tickets. End result: after buying a single ticket into the city, then being forced to buy another ticket to hop between South Bank / Fortitude Valley and the CBD, and yet another single ticket out to the suburbs, they were out some $20 each.

It was a weekend day. Little did they know that had they asked the bus driver all of 10 metres away, they could've got an off peak daily ticket and done all the same travel (and probably a bit more) for half the price. I think the purchase of a go card, even after losing the deposit may have worked out a bit cheaper as well.
Unsurprisingly, they weren't too impressed with their ticketing experience.

Visitors and tourists are not as price sensitive as your average commuter, but given how our system is set up I can imagine many more people will be getting burned come January 17. And all that really needs to be done to change this, IMO, is a quick fix: either reinstate daily tickets, which will still be premium priced but at least offer certainty and a realistic option for day trippers; or remove the deposit on go cards, so they're more attractive to someone who is only going to make a few trips.

The other solution of course is the special ticket for tourists, but all I can really see that being is a variation of a daily ticket anyway, so it'll either be just as expensive, or open to abuse.

Edit: oh, and to keep it on topic, my advice to tourists would be get a go card. End of story. But this would be an easier sell if the card itself didn't cost money...

[ozbob]

Thanks for that feedback, it highlights well the real issues.   

The new ticket machines cannot do dailys, so I guess the best bet is universal capping on the go.  An algorithm that would work is highest journey zones x 2 plus plus a loading say 30% of the highest journey in a 24 hour period.

There is no easy way of cashing out go cards when travel finished, they need machines at the airports and other key locations to facilitate this if they want tourists to have easy ticketing access.

[#Metro]

There are two very quick fixes:
Abolish single paper tickets and keep the daily ticket.
(This would save the customer having to ask and hold the bus up twice, one in the morning and one on the return journey in the afternoon).

Alternatively, abolish the deposit on the Go Card or make it $1 or 50c or something like that. This means no "safety margin" when the card runs out of juice.
I would also recommend a different beep and light flash sequence to the "error" beeps when someone has run out of money.

Many drivers think it is an error or malfunction, when actually they have not enough funds on the card.

[#Metro]

Abolish single paper tickets and keep the daily ticket.
(This would save the customer having to ask and hold the bus up twice, one in the morning and one on the return journey in the afternoon).

The side effect of this of course is that if you want to go from Gympie North (to use an extreme example) to Brisbane, you will be forced to pay for a return journey even if you do not need it, which could be very expensive.

[ozbob]

The other option a tourist pass.  The Sydney pass is clever because it links in the Airtrain and has a tourist service component as well as the regular public transport system.  I am sure something could be set up for SEQ that would be really valuable as tourism promotion but not of interest to the regular commuter, as is the Sydney pass ...

The thing that gets to me about all of this is the stunned silence from the Tourist Industry representatives ...  the cash cow can break ...

[Stillwater]

Interesting.  Is Isoprophlex correct?  Has the situation come to the point where we must question the very fundamental basics of the SEQ public transport system?  Is it merely a case of fleets of trains, buses and ferries moving randomly on tracks roads and waterways, with the travelling public almost incidental to the process?  The proposed timetable for the Sunshine Coast Line, for instance, would suggest this.

All too frequently, we seem to be returning to the issues of the 'hospital with no patients' (in Translink's case the slowing growth in passenger numbers year on year), and the concept of passengers (fleas on a dog's back where the dog goes wherever he likes) versus customers (the client to be served).

At the very least, the Go-card should allow accurate tracking of people's desired travel patterns that route allocation and frequency of buses and trains should address.  If growth in passenger numbers is dropping off and fare increases are acting as a disincentive to using public transport, we are in deep dodo.

If the SEQ travelling public are no more than fleas on a dog's back, how do the fleas communicate to the person holding the leash (the government) that they want effective change?

[ozbob]

One of the basic flaws with the TransLink concept of route planning and design is it is largely reactive ... encourages not public transport use ...

[#Metro]

All too frequently, we seem to be returning to the issues of the 'hospital with no patients' (in Translink's case the slowing growth in passenger numbers year on year), and the concept of passengers (fleas on a dog's back where the dog goes wherever he likes) versus customers (the client to be served).

Another one entered my mind- Route 88, the bus with no passengers!

I really hope these services that are coming from the fare rise revenue actually are organized to be strategic.
TL has been fairly good, but I notice that they have left the bus system and bus routes more or less the same as
pre-TL, maybe adding more routes. I get the feeling they don't want to re-organise them, lest that upset the boat.

But on the other hand, its their job to run the system. Having empty trains (some running parallel to bus) irks me.
And what on earth led them to create route 88?

[somebody]

And what on earth led them to create route 88?

Could it be complaints about full 444s and 111s, caused by the stupidity on the opening of KGSBS.  I'm sure the 88 gets a number of passengers on every sector except Indro->city.

[AnonymouslyBad]

I really hope these services that are coming from the fare rise revenue actually are organized to be strategic.
TL has been fairly good, but I notice that they have left the bus system and bus routes more or less the same as
pre-TL, maybe adding more routes. I get the feeling they don't want to re-organise them, lest that upset the boat.

It seems that way. Looking at the buses around Brisbane I'm sure improvements could be made just by reorganising all those existing "seats" instead of rolling out hundreds of thousands of new ones, but you can't do that without upsetting somebody somewhere. TL's gone ahead and done it in the other regions (not without some opposition) but in Brisbane city itself, doesn't seem to matter how empty a bus is, it's not going anywhere.

[Derwan]

I thought there was some special go cards available at the airport (go cards with higher amounts to cover the high Airtrain fare).  Anyone know?

A friend of mine came up from Sydney a couple of months ago.  He was apartment-hunting as he's moving up in a couple of weeks.  I recommended purchasing a Go Card from the Domestic Terminal Train Station, which according to a search on this page at the time you could do.  (It now returns "no search results" when selecting "Airport (Brisbane)".)  Having a Go Card would mean he could get to and from the various locations he was going to during the day without having to worry about tickets.  He would then have the card for when he moved.

Upon asking the customer service officer at the Domestic station (who was extremely helpful according to my friend), he wasn't able to purchase a Go Card from there.  Instead he was sold a return ticket for the airtrain (he was returning the same day) plus a zone 1 daily ticket so he could get around to the different apartments using buses and trains.

[ozbob]

Click here!

No go at the Airport,  farcical.  Confirms your friends experience Derwan.  Shocker!!

Machines that dispense preloaded go cards are needed at BNE Domestic and International Airports, inside and at the Stations.

Machines that accept go cards and refund unused monies are also needed.

Most tourists probably arrive via the airport. 


The lack of preparation for go day is most alarming ... 

[somebody]

Hmm, aren't the machines at the airport of the type that dispense go cards?

[ozbob]

I would have thought so, apparently not. 

[#Metro]

It seems that way. Looking at the buses around Brisbane I'm sure improvements could be made just by reorganising all those existing "seats" instead of rolling out hundreds of thousands of new ones, but you can't do that without upsetting somebody somewhere. TL's gone ahead and done it in the other regions (not without some opposition) but in Brisbane city itself, doesn't seem to matter how empty a bus is, it's not going anywhere.

My thoughts exactly.

[BrizCommuter]

Edit: After some valium, a new article
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2011/01/brisbane-vs-perth-vs-melbourne.html

[ozbob]

what advice do we now give tourists

If you are still determined to travel to Brisbane, pay attention!

With the sad state of affairs I suggest that the best bet would be if arriving at the Airport before 8pm buy a single ticket ($15) to Central for Airtrain. (the last service for day leaves the domestic terminal at 8pm Mon - Fri, 7.59pm Sat - Sun, we like to go to bed early, yes we know that many flights arrive after 8pm but hey this is BNE). At Central station ticket office purchase a pre-loaded $20 go card and then set forth.

If after 8pm Coachtrans bus to Brisbane Transit Centre (fare $15).  Purchase a pre-loaded $20 go card from the Roma St station ticket office and head off.

The cost of travel to and from BNE is at a premium in line with the 'gouge' principle of most major airports.  Travel on the rest of the public transport system is a little less expensive than the Airport gouge fares.

Print out a copy of our Smart GO CARD User Guide and check out the TransLink web site go card information here prior to travelling to Brisbane.

Note:  Trains don't run overnight, some buses do.  All details on the TransLink web site -->  http://www.translink.com.au/

Another alternative is to order a go card well in advance (three weeks) before travelling by mail or online (you can order by phone, but the cost of the phone call might be more than cost of your flight!). See --> http://www.translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/go-card/buy-a-go-card   By doing this you can use your go card on the Airtrain when you arrive in BNE.  Unfortunately incredible as it sounds, go cards are not available at the Airport stations.  The Coachtrans bus is a cash fare.

There are  no special ticket products for visitors or tourists like in London, or Sydney or Hong Kong, your best option is to use the go card with the majority of the rest of us.  Paper single tickets are available but they are much more expensive than using the go card.

When you have had enough of the go card, you can claim a refund for unexpended credit on your go card.  
There are certain conditions so study well here --> http://www.translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/go-card/refunds

This complicates travel back to BNE when you are leaving, there are no facilities to cash in your go card at the Airport, so need to do that at say Central or in Brisbane City and then buy a ticket, or follow up return of your go card by mail.  Apologies for the gross incompetence.

Good luck, and welcome to Brisbane!

[#Metro]

Get a rental car! 

[WTN]

Get a rental car! 

And pay the tolls and fines. Wouldn't be surprised if people choose that option to avoid messing with buying a go card or single paper tickets (and holding up buses each time).

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

10th January 2011

Greetings,

In the absence of any meaningful advice for tourists and visitors on using public transport in Brisbane, we have put together a basic guide.

http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5206.msg44754#msg44754

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

If you are still determined to travel to Brisbane, pay attention!

With the sad state of affairs I suggest that the best bet would be if arriving at the Airport before 8pm buy a single ticket ($15) to Central for Airtrain. (the last service for day leaves the domestic terminal at 8pm Mon - Fri, 7.59pm Sat - Sun, we like to go to bed early, yes we know that many flights arrive after 8pm but hey this is BNE). At Central station ticket office purchase a pre-loaded $20 go card and then set forth.

If after 8pm Coachtrans bus to Brisbane Transit Centre (fare $15).  Purchase a pre-loaded $20 go card from the Roma St station ticket office and head off.

The cost of travel to and from BNE is at a premium in line with the 'gouge' principle of most major airports.  Travel on the rest of the public transport system is a little less expensive than the Airport gouge fares.

Print out a copy of our Smart GO CARD User Guide and check out the TransLink web site go card information here prior to travelling to Brisbane.

Note:  Trains don't run overnight, some buses do.  All details on the TransLink web site -->  http://www.translink.com.au/

Another alternative is to order a go card well in advance (three weeks) before travelling by mail or online (you can order by phone, but the cost of the phone call might be more than cost of your flight!). See --> http://www.translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/go-card/buy-a-go-card   By doing this you can use your go card on the Airtrain when you arrive in BNE.  Unfortunately incredible as it sounds, go cards are not available at the Airport stations.  The Coachtrans bus is a cash fare.

There are  no special ticket products for visitors or tourists like in London, or Sydney or Hong Kong, your best option is to use the go card with the majority of the rest of us.  Paper single tickets are available but they are much more expensive than using the go card.

When you have had enough of the go card, you can claim a refund for unexpended credit on your go card. 
There are certain conditions so study well here --> http://www.translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/go-card/refunds

This complicates travel back to BNE when you are leaving, there are no facilities to cash in your go card at the Airport, so need to do that at say Central or in Brisbane City and then buy a ticket, or follow up return of your go card by mail.  Apologies for the gross incompetence.

Good luck, and welcome to Brisbane!

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

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

Media Release 9 January 2011
 
SEQ:  Fare changes impact on tourists

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 tourists and visitors need to carefully examine the options for ticketing for public transport travel in 2011 as most types of paper tickets are removed from sale with effect 17th January 2011 (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"According to the TransLink web site 'go card will replace all multi-trip paper tickets - including all daily, weekly, monthly and Queensland Rail one-third student paper tickets' (1). Tourists have found the daily paper tickets particularly an affordable way of travelling around on our public transport, accessing local tourist destinations and contributing to the local economy."

A typical tourist travel profile with fares from 17th January 2011:

                                                    Paper Ticket                           Gocard 
Oxley to CBD                                   $5.40                          $3.68   peak
CBD to Southbank                            $3.90                          $2.26   off peak
Southbank to CBD                            $3.90                          $2.26   off peak
CBD to MtCootha                             $4.60                          $3.13   off peak
Mount Cootha to Fig Tree Pocket       $3.90                          $2.26   off peak
Fig tree pocket to CBD                     $5.40                          $3.13   off peak
CBD to Oxley                                  $5.40                          $3.68   peak
         
                      Totals                          $32.50                         $20.40 

The current paper daily ticket is  $9.40

"The removal of the daily tickets and the lack of a daily cap on the go card is going to impact significantly on the cost of travel for tourists, as for citizens in south-east Queensland.  If a tourist buys single paper tickets for a travel profile that formerly cost $9.40 they will pay $32.50, over 200% fare increase!  Even with the go card it will cost $20.40, over 100% fare increase!

"There is lack of incentive travel tickets for tourists in south-east Queensland as in other tourist destinations such as Hong Kong (2) and Sydney (3).  The lack of suitable ticketing products must be cause for alarm in the tourist industry. There is very little information on the TransLink website directed to tourists, contrast this to London (4).

"The fare changes and and the fare structure on the go card is yet another example of extremely poorly thought out public transport policy in Queensland."

References:

1. http://www.translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/fares/changes-to-fares-and-ticketing-in-2011

2. MTR tourist info  http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/whatsnew/tourist_index.html

3. Sydney pass  http://www.sydneybuses.info/tourist-services/sydneypass/

4. Transport for London visitor and tourists maps  http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/visitor-guide.pdf

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail 10th January 2011 page 12

Tourist transport hit hard in rises



Thanks CM for highlighting our concerns ...

[ozbob]

Maybe the last CBD to Oxley could be a continuation but I also recommend travellers visit roma street parklands which would be at least an hour more likely an hour and a half and perhaps the southbank back to CBD before travelling to MtCootha.

Remember these people are tourists and want to see Brisbane, it's about the journey for them as well as the destination. They don't always know exactly where to go and sometimes it's not all that important, so they aren't rushing from point to point trying to fit into the inqdequate 60 minute timeframe for continuation travel.

The more I think about it the more I agree with Ozbob and his link to the MTR, we should have a tourist gocard like other mature integrated ticketing systems throughout the world which has reasonably priced capping.

As Mozz has commented, it is silly to think tourists are going to consistently make a one hour transfer limit, particularly with the frequency of the some of the services as well.  After spending a considerable admission fee to Lone Pine for example they are not going to rush around in a vain attempt to make a continuation of journey on the go card? To suggest such is stupid, clearly.

Tourists need proper support, a special ticket product is needed, or change the transfer limit.

With go day looming next Monday, the lack of proper preparation is no doubt going to come back and haunt the Government and TransLink, nothing surer.  The feedback we are receiving concerning the fare increases is savage, to the say the least.

:conf

[#Metro]

The sad fact is the paper ticket is actually more flexible!
Plain silly requirements like spending under 60 minutes at each destination are just unbelieveable.
Why would you bother.

I fear that if PT prices go up AND service improvements are not targeted in a strategic way, patronage will actually fall, causing a blowout in subsidy, not a reduction.

TransLink must improve its "product" if it wants more customers, and reduced subsidy ratios.
The Elephant in the room is rail frequency of course. Every initiative under the sun has been launched
except for an improvement in the all day standard frequency.

[ozbob]

The sad fact is the paper ticket is actually more flexible!

Probably true for tourists I agree.

There is a learning curve for go, and they need to remember to touch etc.   Something like the Sydney pass as an alternative is the way to go.

[Mozz]

The article highlighted a 7 trip event commencing at Oxley travelling into the CBD, then across to Southbank, then back from Southbank to the CBD, then to Mount Cootha, across to Lone Pine then back to the CBD and returning to Oxley.

The paper ticket maths of $32.50 versus the $9.40 daily cannot be disputed.

However it appears from the published article that the Director of Infrastructure and Investment for Translink has indicated this 7 trip journey could be made for as little as $6.81 on the gocard.

As Vizzini says to Inigo Montoya in the Princess Bride: "As I told you, it would be absolutely, totally, and in all other ways inconceivable".

http://www.translink.com.au/travel-information/how-to/how-to-transfer-between-services

It appears the gocard doesn't allow six transfers on a single journey only three. (with an absolute maximum of 60 minutes between touch off and touch on)

Let's explore this a bit more:

1. Oxley to CBD (start of journey) - Zone 1-3
2. CBD to Southbank (first continuation) (only spend 30 minutes exploring as ferrys run every 30 minutes so you need to get back to the ferry and touch on to ensure the continuation of travel) - Zone 1
3. Southbank to CBD (second continuation) - Zone 1
4. CBD to Mt Cootha (third continuation) That's it folks no more continuations of journeys - Zone 1-3
5. Mt Cootha to Fig Tree Pocket (start of brand new journey probably charged at off peak gocard prices according to the model Travel within - Zone 3
6. Fig Tree Picket to CBD (Lone Pine tourists are not going to spend 30 - 45 minute before trying to catch a bus to ensure a continuation of journey) (Start of a brand new journey possibly at off peak but probably peak) - Zone 1-3
7. CBD to Oxley (possibly being able to fit in a brisk 30 - 45minute power walk around Roma Street parkland before hoping back on the train although a leisurely wander around the parklands is highly recommended) (first continuation) - Zone 1-3

On the above
So best possible is 2 x off peak gocard fares CBD to Oxley + 3 continuations, then travel in Zone 3 spend 30 minutes at Lone Pine, then Figtree Pocket back to CBD then out to Oxley (2 x $3.68 = $7.36) but most probably tourists would spend more than 30 minutes at Lone Pine so you need to factor in another $2.36 for travel in Zone 3 from Mount Cootha to Lone Pine making the feasible amount of $2.26 + $7.36 = $9.62

Then depending on how you configure the travel the absolute best effort is $7.36 or anywhere between this amount and the original amount of $20.40 which was initially posted.

What is clearly apparent is that the standard gocard is unsuitable for tourists and as tourism is a vital and significant contributor to the Queensland economy, a much much better effort is required by Translink.

As the old saying goes, "It's not rocket science", many many other cities in the world have appropriate public transport ticketing/smartcard solutions for tourists why can't we.....

[ozbob]

Article is now online at the Courier Mail 

Courier Mail --> Public transport ticket price hike to hit tourists to Brisbane

[#Metro]

Maybe Courier Mail should send a reporter to try it! TRY AND ACTUALLY DO IT FOR $6. whatever

[somebody]

I was thinking that probably two of the three trips into the CBD in Mozz's itinerary would be/lead to continuations.

[Stillwater]

I wish Matt Longland a long and happy life, but hope he can see the benefit of donating his brain to medical science after death so we can better understand the Translink thinking that believes in the feasibility of the Bum's Rush tourism experience for Brisbane - $6.81 to visit a reasonable sample of destinations, but not being able to spend more than an hour at each without suffering a significant public transport fare increase.  That puts the television show The Amazing Race to shame!  

Where is the Tourism Minister in all of this?  Why isn't that Minister seeking answers from the Transport Minister, Ms Nolan?  After this flooding is over, SEQ will need every interstate and overseas tourist it can to help in the economic recovery.  Yet, the Smart State can't even arrange for go-card purchases at Brisbane Airport.  

The representative bodies of the tourism industry need to lobby hard on this one.  As long as they remain silent, the sort of thinking espoused by Mr Longland gets traction in government circles.

[ozbob]

The blog at the Courier Mail is attracting a lot of comments ..

--> here!

[Mozz]

I was thinking that probably two of the three trips into the CBD in Mozz's itinerary would be/lead to continuations.

Tourists aren't everyday commuters who generally want to go from point A to point B as efficiently and economically as possible.

Generally they are not here to methodically plan each trip within a daily journey to ensure a maximum of 60 minutes between transfers nor is it feasible for reasons below.

Tourists don't know the city, they don't understand the gocard, they don't know the layout of the public transport system in Brisbane, they don't know all the ferry, train, bus stops and where they need to be or where they need to go.  They are here to see and experience the city.

In terms of the typical model of a day's travel I originally posted, they like to walk around and experience the CBD, and Southbank, Kangaroo Point, Roma Street Parklands, King George Square, Queen Street Mall, Parliament House, Anzac Square,  Botanical gardens, Mt Cootha Botanical Gardens, Slaughter Falls, GOMA and Queensland Museum as a general rule. Thus it takes more than 30 - 45 minutes to visit those locations in the vicinity of the CBD, Southbank and Mt Cootha.

Maybe just maybe visiting the top of Mount Cootha is less than an hour, but not if you stop to grab a bite to eat, explore the views from different vantage points, take some photos, shop at the tourist shop, have a coffee and take in the view 

Tourists also like to spend at least a few hours at Lone Pine.

It's both the journey and the destination for them.

[#Metro]

Good old CM. Note the author of the article- its not ursula  

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/public-transport-ticket-price-hike-to-hit-tourists-to-brisbane/comments-e6freoof-1225984793075

More lies of Brisbane Posted at 9:26 AM Today

   Ok Mr Longland, where are the extra seats and services on the Ferny Grove Line? Answer there won't be any. This is a rip-off. The fare increases should only apply to the lines that get increased services. Again Ferny Grove is subsidising the rest of Brisbane. The duel line between Keperra and FG is two years overdue, we should be getting a discount!

Comment 29 of 105

Kylie Posted at 10:19 AM Today

    "He said the additional revenue from the fare change would go towards providing an extra 305,000 weekly seats across the network." This is a complete joke! For the 2009-10 financial period, fare increases were applied in order to increase the amount of seats offered through public transport. In fact, this was released: “Every cent collected from fare changes will be pumped back into better public transport services. Over the next year, this equates to 301,000 new public transport seats every single week. We will deliver: - 201,000 seats on buses - 83,4000 seats on trains - 17,000 seats on ferries”. At the conclusion of June 2010, TransLink failed to deliver on these promises. In fact, only 76.2% of the promised bus weekly seats were provided (153,071 out of 201,000 promised seats), 19% ferry weekly seats (3,240 out of 17,000 promised seats) and 5.5% train weekly seats (7,210 out of 83,400 promised seats). As TransLink failed to deliver on these seats, how can a further fare increase be justified?

Comment 74 of 105

Hmm- do we have the record on this one?

[ozbob]

Kylie seems to have the facts at her/his finger tips ...

The 100+ comments on the blog must give cause for concern.

[Stillwater]

We should be careful - public servants under pressure to meet a target could just whack on a few more bus routes to nowhere and say 'there, we have met the objective'.  It is not simply a case of extra seats, but more bums on seats.  Meanwhile, SC Line passengers are treated like bums, literally, and have to place their derrieres on the floor.

[somebody]

Tourists aren't everyday commuters who generally want to go from point A to point B as efficiently and economically as possible.

Yes, but my point was, why would they want to hang around the CBD 3 times in one day for more than an hour?

[mufreight]

We should be careful - public servants under pressure to meet a target could just whack on a few more bus routes to nowhere and say 'there, we have met the objective'.  It is not simply a case of extra seats, but more bums on seats.  Meanwhile, SC Line passengers are treated like bums, literally, and have to place their derrieres on the floor.

Further justification for the removal of Translink as the almighty diety and its replacement with a simpler system of a co-ordinating authority for public transport under the more direct oversight of the department of transport.
The removal of one level of inefectual bureaucracy would save millions and result in a more effective use of the avaliable resources without the time and money wasting duplication of administration which serves no purpose other than to shift blame and avoid responsibility, provide employment for a circus of otherwise unemployable clowns at an avoidable cost.

[ozbob]

I have received advice that $30 preloaded go cards are now available from the Airport station ticket offices.

Wonder why that doesn't come up when you do the search on the go card locations page ...

e.g. --> here

[justanotheruser]

Where is the Tourism Minister in all of this?  Why isn't that Minister seeking answers from the Transport Minister, Ms Nolan?  After this flooding is over, SEQ will need every interstate and overseas tourist it can to help in the economic recovery.  Yet, the Smart State can't even arrange for go-card purchases at Brisbane Airport.  

but it isn't up to the government. The businesses at the airport need to decide to not only sell the go cards but also offer refunds.  Remember the airport land is not state government owned. Airports have been privatised. The airport land may or may not be FEDERAL government owned. So there is not much the state government can do except offer generous compensation. Of course if they did that then other go card retailers would be saying why don't we get that money as well and possibly opt out.


Blame must also be put on consumers. I had a person yell and curse because we don't sell go cards. Never mind that I pointed him to the train station which is only 110m away. Two minute walk maximum.  That kind of attitude is just stupid. Or do people expect perhaps a vending machine every 25 metres just to make it convienient!


The tourism minister is part of the party and follows the party line. Any issues would be raised privately behind closed doors.  Unless someone had a urgent need to leak a document we will not hear about it. It is after all hardly an issue that divides or outrages the community unlike floating QR freight.

[justanotheruser]

The sad fact is the paper ticket is actually more flexible!
Plain silly requirements like spending under 60 minutes at each destination are just unbelieveable.
Why would you bother.

It is clear they are catering to the regular users of the system who would not be spending an hour at each destination.  Just like the old ticketing system the go card is designed to get you to a location only not get you home again.  We say it isn't rocket science to work out things like needing a suitable alternative for tourists but it also isn't rocket science to see how the system was designed.  As to why they did things this way there are two reasons I can think of.
1. They decided to cater to the majority of users.  many tourists get a car. At work I get at least a dozen requests for directions from tourists per six hour shift. This increases on weekends and this is in a non-tourism suburb!!!
2. Tourists can't vote!

Get a rental car!  

And pay the tolls and fines. Wouldn't be surprised if people choose that option to avoid messing with buying a go card or single paper tickets (and holding up buses each time).

Why do people think that other people have a problem with holding up the buses?  I have no problems with holding the bus up to buy a ticket.  It was very frequent and common occourance before pre-paid only buses and go card was introduced. Has everybody here really forgotten how things used to be??

Another alternative is to order a go card well in advance (three weeks) before travelling by mail or online (you can order by phone, but the cost of the phone call might be more than cost of your flight!). See --> http://www.translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/go-card/buy-a-go-card   By doing this you can use your go card on the Airtrain when you arrive in BNE.  Unfortunately incredible as it sounds, go cards are not available at the Airport stations.  The Coachtrans bus is a cash fare.

Has it been noted that calling translink from interstate is not possible unless you know the standard phone number instead of the 131230 number?  at least last time I tried (jan 2010) you couldn't.  

All too frequently, we seem to be returning to the issues of the 'hospital with no patients' (in Translink's case the slowing growth in passenger numbers year on year), and the concept of passengers (fleas on a dog's back where the dog goes wherever he likes) versus customers (the client to be served).

Another one entered my mind- Route 88, the bus with no passengers!

I really hope these services that are coming from the fare rise revenue actually are organized to be strategic.
TL has been fairly good, but I notice that they have left the bus system and bus routes more or less the same as
pre-TL, maybe adding more routes. I get the feeling they don't want to re-organise them, lest that upset the boat.

But on the other hand, its their job to run the system. Having empty trains (some running parallel to bus) irks me.
And what on earth led them to create route 88?

Every time I've seen a 88 bus there have been a decent number of people on it.  I only see it for a very short distance but it is on the city-indro leg of the journey.

[somebody]

Every time I've seen a 88 bus there have been a decent number of people on it.  I only see it for a very short distance but it is on the city-indro leg of the journey.

If you are referring to the city-Indro leg of the 88, even if there are a decent number of people on it, there is an amazing number of buses which are almost empty on the same corridor.