Article: Plan to save the rush for workers on public transport

[ozbob]

From the Daily Telegraph click here!

Plan to save the rush for workers on public transport

Plan to save the rush for workers on public transport

    Rhys Haynes
    From: The Daily Telegraph
    July 20, 2011 12:00AM

NON-WORKERS using public transport should have access to concession fares only if they travel outside peak hours, a university researcher said.

Sydney's public transport system is so overcrowded during peak periods that, to ease congestion, people travelling to work should be given a priority, according to Professor Corinne Mulley, from the University of Sydney.

The idea comes as the state government yesterday said it would not abolish timetables after a radical proposal to reduce congestion and waiting times was raised earlier this week by industry lobby group Tourism Transport Forum.

Commuters can buy concession tickets on all train, bus and ferry services without time restrictions, Professor Mulley said.

"We should be clear about why non-workers' concessions are offered and the impact this might have on public transport system usage," she said.

"One argument for public transport non-workers' concessions is to offer a cheaper price to those who might not otherwise travel.

"This 'elasticity of demand' argument is best served by restricting non-workers' concession fares to off-peak times to even out demand over the day and allowing concession holders to travel when demand for buses, trains and ferries isn't at its peak, when others are commuting."

She said allowing non-workers' concession fares on public transport at all times meant they competed for seats with those paying a higher price.

She said overseas countries had adopted the practice, with free local bus travel for older people in the UK restricted to after 9.30am.

And in Singapore, concessions for older people are more restrictive, with no travel in either the morning or evening weekday peaks.

Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian yesterday said the government was restructuring major agencies to ensure greater focus on customer service.

Read more: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/plan-to-save-the-rush-for-workers-on-public-transport/story-e6freuy9-1226097834776

[O_128]

How is this regulated though or is it only for pensioners?, If I use my concession go card to go to work just because would I be charged the exorbitant Full fare?

[ozbob]

Yes, school and university students present a not insurmountable issue, but with pensioners and others there are often times they do need to travel in peak for medical appointments, volunteer duties and so forth.  Not as simple as it sounds ...

[Mr X]

If they define peak as "From 2am to 9am and 3.30pm to 7pm weekdays, except public holidays." (1) you'd have pretty much every student paying full fare.. and would thus switch to private transport.. meaning MORE congestion and more vehicles on the road. !!  

Another example of uni researchers NOT knowing how things are done in the REAL WORLD. 

1- http://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/fares/peak-and-off-peak-times

[SurfRail]

The solution of course is better off-peak ticketing. 

The proposal seems like much more of a valid proposal for Sydney, because they are bursting at the seams quite a bit more than anybody else in Australia at peak times, and have higher patronage proportionately than any other Aus city.

[Mr X]

Ah crap, I didn't see this was for Brisbane.. my TL link doesn't apply then 

[somebody]

If they define peak as "From 2am to 9am and 3.30pm to 7pm weekdays, except public holidays." (1) you'd have pretty much every student paying full fare.. and would thus switch to private transport.. meaning MORE congestion and more vehicles on the road. !!  

Another example of uni researchers NOT knowing how things are done in the REAL WORLD. 

1- http://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/fares/peak-and-off-peak-times

I think you will find that even for those students with access to a car, parking isn't that easy to come by.  Here's a link for Sydney Uni (for example): http://sydney.edu.au/facilities/security/parking.shtml

Want a park at 9am on a weekday?  Pay commercial rates then.  $24/day at U Syd.  Bit of a difference to UQ which is $3/day AIUI.

UTS is even worse except Kuring-gai, but it's a fair bit easier at Macquarie or UWS I think.  I think UNSW might be slightly easier than U Syd.

[Mr X]

I was also referring to school students, most of whom can't drive a car.
Their parents (likely) pay their bus fares and won't appreciate forking out $4 a child per ONE-WAY ONE zone trip in 2014 

[O_128]

If they define peak as "From 2am to 9am and 3.30pm to 7pm weekdays, except public holidays." (1) you'd have pretty much every student paying full fare.. and would thus switch to private transport.. meaning MORE congestion and more vehicles on the road. !!  

Another example of uni researchers NOT knowing how things are done in the REAL WORLD. 

1- http://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/fares/peak-and-off-peak-times

I think you will find that even for those students with access to a car, parking isn't that easy to come by.  Here's a link for Sydney Uni (for example): http://sydney.edu.au/facilities/security/parking.shtml




Want a park at 9am on a weekday?  Pay commercial rates then.  $24/day at U Syd.  Bit of a difference to UQ which is $3/day AIUI.

UTS is even worse except Kuring-gai, but it's a fair bit easier at Macquarie or UWS I think.  I think UNSW might be slightly easier than U Syd.

Universities especially UQ have good PT and connections, I nearly lost when I got told by my tutor to put a 1000 space park and ride  on top of my redesigned indooroopilly interchange, Some people have no idea about the costs of road based transport.

The trick is to just give pensioners free public transport off peak and capping for all. Im still seeing pensioners on peak hour runs to the city, everybody has a right but when the bus has to stop for 2min for them to hobble onto the bus, talk to the driver then get there card out or buy a ticket and then the bus won't go till they are seated.