'Say No to GoCard until Fares are Fair' respond to Hon John Mickel's letter

[Fares_Fair]

Hello,

Thank you Haakon,
Yes, I think you are right. I read the Letter.

I believe it's the first time that the Minister has responded directly to our "Say No to GoCard' campaign,
and I welcome his response. 

He admits that there are increases under the GoCard and that these are NOT concocted stories as he once referred to them, on Spencer Howson's 612 ABC Breakfast Radio show of 5th February, 2008. 

He claims they have never made a secret of that fact. Maybe not, but obfuscation is the order of the day. Ask him why the so called 80% of commuters that it is aimed at, who utilise weekly tickets aren't given a weekly ticket comparison in all of the GoCard literature.
The answer is obvious - commuters would see straight away what the true cost of the GoCard is.

He claims that a very small number of us are criticising the price structure of the GoCard.
I would dispute that claim. Every 'average' ( whatever that means ) everyday commuter north of Glasshouse Mountains and south of Helensvale would disagree with him.

We acknowledge ( and always have ) that at the moment there is a choice but in light of the fact that they will not say how long the cheaper paper tickets will be available for, and the fact that they are already limiting peoples' access to them, does not imbue us with great confidence.

Yes, Translink are getting out and about promoting the GoCard.
I challenge the Minister, and commuters out there reading this - does Translink tell you that you will pay more if you travel >10 Zones or use it more frequently than 10 trips in 7 days.
I'd be keen to hear.

Nor will Translink or the Minister confirm that there will not be a huge rise in the cost of the paper tickets to push us onto the GoCard, this July, when train fares traditionally increase.
That is why we, the 'Say No to GoCard' committee - whom I represent, are insisting that fares should not increase more than inflation. That is why we "Say No to GoCard until Fares are Fair."

Our objectives are clear and unambiguous ( attached below ).

Kind Regards,
Fares_Fair

[Ace]

From my encounters with Translink staff at the various go card hand out locations, they have been honest about the costs of travelling more than 10 zones and have indicated that I should remain on a paper ticket and that the new gocard is just another option...

[Fares_Fair]

Hello Ace,

I'm not sure why you would have had encounters with Translink staff at various GoCard hand out locations, but it's good to hear.
Thanks for the feed-back.
Perhaps the publicity about the fares is having an impact.

I know that some QR staff at Nambour Station are very helpful in this regard,
and guide commuters to what is most economic for them.
First I've heard of Translink staff doing so.

It was Translink that took 9 emails ( to-ing and fro-ing ) before they answered my very simple yes or no question on the 23% increase in costs under GoCard.