11 Aug 2011: SEQ: Lack of an integrated ticket option for the Ekka ....

[ozbob]

Media release 11 August 2011

SEQ: Lack of an integrated ticket option for the Ekka, presents problems for casual public transport users

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has highlighted the lack of an integrated admission and public transport ticket for the Brisbane Exhibition (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"With the loss of seasonal paper tickets, the only option now for casual users without a go card are paper single tickets, which relative to go card fares are very expensive, and have time limitations that casual users may not be aware of. This also means that under some circumstances they may be liable for a fare evasion offence because of this (2)."

"Major public transport jurisdictions such as Sydney and Melbourne provide integrated public transport and admission tickets for the public to their shows.  This is sensible as it reduces the broader cost of congestion and the associated costs of environmental impacts and road trauma."

"Public transport in south-east Queensland is referred to as 'world class'.  A failure to provide an integrated ticketing product for the Exhibition is not consistent with a 'world class' system.  Far from it ..."

References:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5867.0

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

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

15th September 2011

Re: SEQ: Lack of an integrated ticket option for the Ekka, presents problems for casual public transport users

Greetings,

Brisbane and Ekka, you are a public transport ticketing backwater ...

Let us fervently hope that the Ekka and TransLink can avoid in coming years the 'Ekka Wrekka' public transport experience at this years Brisbane Exhibition.  Why is everything so damn difficult in Queensland?

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

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http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/1960-save-money-use-vline-to-get-to-the-royal-show.html

Save money: use V/Line to get to the Royal Show

Wednesday, 14 September 2011
From the Minister for Public Transport

The 2011 Royal Melbourne Show will soon begin with V/Line travellers again having an opportunity to save money by taking the train, Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder announced today.

Royal Melbourne Show ticket holders can travel return with V/Line from anywhere in Victoria for $13 during off-peak times, saving full fare paying adults $8.60 from Ballarat, $19.40 from Bendigo, $17.40 from Traralgon and $4.40 from Seymour.

Passengers travelling from longer distance locations can save even more.

An adult travelling from Ararat saves $29.20, from Swan Hill $48.60, from Albury, Warrnambool and Bairnsdale $40.40 and from Shepparton $23.40.

The $13 return special event fare includes free travel on Melbourne's trains, trams and buses to get to and from the Show, including Metro's frequent Show trains from Flinders Street, Southern Cross and North Melbourne direct to the Showgrounds platform.

Mr Mulder said the travel offer, now in its fifth year, had proved popular.

"The V/Line special event ticket caters for everybody," Mr Mulder said.

"Passengers travelling from as far as Warrnambool, Bairnsdale, Ararat, Swan Hill, Echuca, Shepparton or Albury can break their journey and return the following day.

"Frequent trains between Traralgon, Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Seymour and Southern Cross mean passengers can return home on the same day. Passengers on many V/Line trains can also change at North Melbourne, but please check timetables first to make sure the V/Line train stops there.

"Using V/Line is an easy option to get to the Royal Melbourne Show without having to worry about car parking, fuel and tollway charges," Mr Mulder said.

The special $13 train ticket cannot be used on weekday trains arriving in Melbourne before 9:00am, or on trains departing Melbourne between 4:00pm and 6:00pm. Normal peak fares apply during these weekday times.

To be eligible, travellers must present a 2011 Royal Melbourne Show entry ticket when purchasing a V/Line ticket. Barcoded Show tickets printed from the Internet are also eligible for the V/Line special event ticket.

V/Line Marketing and Stakeholder Relations General Manager Paul Matthews said that apart from being cheaper, travelling during off-peak hours was generally less crowded, meaning a more comfortable journey.

"By arriving in Melbourne after 9:00am on weekdays, Show patrons can save money with V/Line's special Show fare, which means more showbags for the kids," Mr Matthews said.

"It is also wise that passengers not return to the country between 4:00pm and 6:00pm on weekdays when V/Line ticket prices are more expensive."

The 2011 Royal Melbourne Show runs from Saturday 24 September to Tuesday 4 October. All travel must be completed by 4 October.

Full terms and conditions of the V/Line special event ticket can be viewed at www.vline.com.au

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http://www.royalshow.com.au/getting-to-the-show.asp

Entry & Travel Saver Ticket

The new Entry & Travel Saver ticket combines the convenience of public transport and great savings on entry to this year's Show. From only $17 the new Entry & Travel Saver includes public transport to and from Melbourne Showgrounds and entry to the Show. On sale until 6pm, 4 October from Ticketek.

Details --> http://www.royalshow.com.au/tickets-special-offers.asp#entryTravelSaver