RIverfire 3 September - ticketing?

[ozbob]

Riverfire is on 3rd September.  This too will present a problem with respect to ticketing.  I expect many people travelling will not have go cards (not regular PT users).

Wonder if they will waive the 2 hour (3.5 hour zones 11 and greater) paper single time limits? 

This event is the heaviest public transport event for the whole year ...

[Gazza]

Haha, I've seen what happens. About 2 years ago I was at boarding at Toowong for Riverfire and my sister was visiting from the US (She's an expat) so no Go Card.

No ticket window open, and a long line at the machine. Not to worry though, the machine quickly ran out of change, so everybody just travelled free.

Problem, Translink? 

[ozbob]

I remember one Sunday morning at Oxley, when the big Air Show was on at Amberley.  People were encouraged to catch the train and then the shuttle buses from the Ipswich station.

Only problem was a lot of these people are not regular PT uses and not used to the AVVMs.  People were arriving prepared to buy tickets but the ticket office was closed and the queue at the AVVM was very very long.  Train arrived, most just said WTF, and got on the train.  There was no way they would have a ticket in 30 minutes before the next train.

For Riverfire I think they should just give free travel for the event.  The frustration of users trying to work out paper singles, AVVM limitations and so forth is just not worth the grief.  Alternative would be to open up the ticket offices (which I don't think they would do). 

[Stillwater]

Aarrggh!  Ekka fiasco revisited.

[ozbob]

http://www.brisbanefestival.com.au/Free/Sunsuper-Riverfire

Sunsuper Riverfire

On 3 September, more than half a million people will converge on Brisbane's riverbanks to watch the city sky ignite in a continuous burst of spectacular colour, music and special effects. Sunsuper Riverfire, the most iconic and beloved event on Queensland's calendar is back and set to be bigger and better than ever.

Sunsuper Riverfire signals the start of Brisbane Festival 2011 and celebrations kick off from 12noon. Spectators can enjoy Triple M's outside broadcast and other Opening Day celebrations to get them in the Festival mood including the Australian Defence Forces jam-packed programme featuring Blackhawk and Super Hornet displays ...

[Golliwog]

Though even with those numbers, don't a lot of people make a day of it and turn up early to get to good seats? May spread your load a bit, though you would certainly have the issue of paper tickets for the return.

[O_128]

Just put free transport on.

[dwb]

For Riverfire I think they should just give free travel for the event.  The frustration of users trying to work out paper singles, AVVM limitations and so forth is just not worth the grief.  Alternative would be to open up the ticket offices (which I don't think they would do).

As PT advocates I don't think we should say that it should be free just bc someone hasn't used it before. I think Translink does need to do a better marketing approach to try and convert non pt people to pt users but not by making it free.

Has riverfire ever had free pt before?

Surely some ticket sellers could be hired. Normally the crowds are so managed that buses/trains can only load so fast anyway.

Remember young kids are free anyway, so the parents should just buy go cards!

[HappyTrainGuy]

PT should always be free and paid for via rates/taxes. Just my two cents.

[Bulimba30A]

It's these sorts of events that Translink should actually use to promote public transport rather than ignore them or make life difficult for non go card users. 

It's not good enough to just argue "well if they had a go card...". That's always going to come across as something thats forced down your throat (which many people find naturally affronting) rather than convincing people of the convenience.

The fact of the matter remains that for everyday commuters go card is a convenient option, but not so for infrequent or first time users... Which is even more pronounced on major event days which leaves negative rather than positive sentiment about public transport.

[Bulimba30A]

To make it free is simply admitting that the ticketing system doesn't work for anyone but frequent commuters.

[Otto]

Has riverfire ever had free pt before?

In the past ( pre Translink ), we would sell tickets to go to Riverfire, but after the event, we just did a 'Load n Go' for the journey home.. No tickets, just load up as quickly as possible and leave so that a continuous line of buses could just be fed through the busway stations without getting held up.

[Golliwog]

Just out of interest, would it be possible to have TL helping hands there on the day/night (not during the display of course, but when people are camping, etc) going round with some info on go cards? My gut feeling is that a lot of people who don't have one/use one are either lazy, or don't realise many things about it (ie: that money on it doesn't expire, like with many phone credit things). The helping hands could help a lot with the latter, and possibly even the former if they could sell the cards.

[Gazza]

My gut feeling is that a lot of people who don't have one/use one are either lazy, or don't realise many things about it (ie: that money on it doesn't expire, like with many phone credit things).

Yeah, I agree with that one....Basically everyone in SEQ should have a GoCard, even if you only use PT say once every 3 months.
Everybody knows about GoCard, and they are cheap and easy to get, so anybody who knowingly continues to use paper is basically choosing to be unhappy.

On the night, I'll be doing this:


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[ozbob]

I don't have a problem with making it free at all Dwb.  Melbourne does this on News Year Eve for example.  Progressive jurisdictions promote public transport by such initiatives, and Melbourne doesn't have the ticketing issues we currently have when they have done that.

There are problems, and they will be massive as evidenced by the Ekka meltdown unless pro-active steps are taken.  At a minimum I expect the expiry on singles to be waived, as they had to do to cope with the Ekka ticketing issues.  Ho humm ...

[ozbob]

It's these sorts of events that Translink should actually use to promote public transport rather than ignore them or make life difficult for non go card users.  

It's not good enough to just argue "well if they had a go card...". That's always going to come across as something thats forced down your throat (which many people find naturally affronting) rather than convincing people of the convenience.

The fact of the matter remains that for everyday commuters go card is a convenient option, but not so for infrequent or first time users... Which is even more pronounced on major event days which leaves negative rather than positive sentiment about public transport.

Indeed Bulimba30A!  Well put ..  time for some public transport promotion, particularly after the Ekka meltdown.  

The last thing public transport needs is another ticketing debacle on Riverfire ...

[ozbob]

TransLink Riverfire information  --> http://translink.com.au/travel-information/services-and-timetables/event-transport/details/507

Normal TransLink ticketing and fares apply on all TransLink train, bus and ferry services.

Riverfire is a free event.

[somebody]

I don't have a problem with making it free at all Dwb.  Melbourne does this on News Year Eve for example.  Progressive jurisdictions promote public transport by such initiatives, and Melbourne doesn't have the ticketing issues we currently have when they have done that.

Been a while since I've been to Melbourne, but from what I can gather, and also what other people (non PT enthusiasts) have reported, go card is better than the Melbourne offering.  You disagree?

[Stillwater]

Perhaps we all should be micro-chipped at birth, like cats and dogs.  No fumbling for go-cards ... just 'ping' as you pass a sensor.   

[ozbob]

I don't have a problem with making it free at all Dwb.  Melbourne does this on News Year Eve for example.  Progressive jurisdictions promote public transport by such initiatives, and Melbourne doesn't have the ticketing issues we currently have when they have done that.

Been a while since I've been to Melbourne, but from what I can gather, and also what other people (non PT enthusiasts) have reported, go card is better than the Melbourne offering.  You disagree?

Myki works fine, never had an issue. The real strong point with the myki is the excellent fare structure.  The cost of the project though is excessive, they got done over, clearly ..

But Melbourne can manage $3 flat fares weekends, free travel for the masses for News Year Eve, periodical and/or pay as you go and so forth (both can be concurrent on a myki).  Guess it shows in the recent city liveability rankings.

[mufreight]

And Melbourne has Trams/Light Rail   

[SurfRail]

I don't have a problem with making it free at all Dwb.  Melbourne does this on News Year Eve for example.  Progressive jurisdictions promote public transport by such initiatives, and Melbourne doesn't have the ticketing issues we currently have when they have done that.

Been a while since I've been to Melbourne, but from what I can gather, and also what other people (non PT enthusiasts) have reported, go card is better than the Melbourne offering.  You disagree?

It's more because fare evasion is the national sport of Melbourne.  They object to having to touch on even once.

Myki is fine.  The procurement of it is definitely not though.

[somebody]

Myki works fine, never had an issue. The real strong point with the myki is the excellent fare structure.  The cost of the project though is excessive, they got done over, clearly ..

But Melbourne can manage $3 flat fares weekends, free travel for the masses for News Year Eve, periodical and/or pay as you go and so forth (both can be concurrent on a myki).  Guess it shows in the recent city liveability rankings.

I think the fare structure could really annoy me.  Having to think about whether or not you should load a myki pass or use myki money could really annoy me.  And I'm not sure what happens if I have a zone 1 myki pass and want to travel to zone 2.

And it still doesn't apply to Geelong (for example) which is less than 100km from the CBD.

I think Perth have a few good points in their fare policy.  In particular, that the system will automatically work out the cheapest fare for you.  Although I'm not sure about the DayPass whose price is independent of the number of zones.

[AnonymouslyBad]

Does anyone know to what extent ticketing is actually enforced on Riverfire night?

I guess TOs might still roam the trains, but I can't imagine bus drivers doing anything other than waving on those without a ticket. Anyone who has seen the Cultural Centre (which becomes the entire Victoria Bridge) on Riverfire night would know what I mean...

[ozbob]

Expect an announcement re River ticketing.  I think there might be a surprise. Last year for example, return ticketing was not enforced.  As the spread is wide travelling to Riverfire providing people plan ahead a bit they can  buy a paper single to get them there (if no go card).

Simon, if you have myki pass for zone one, you have unrestricted travel in that zone, if you travel to zone 2 you just pay a  additional normal zone 2 fare as you would for a single zone 2 journey.  Works well.

[somebody]

Simon, if you have myki pass for zone one, you have unrestricted travel in that zone, if you travel to zone 2 you just pay a  additional normal zone 2 fare as you would for a single zone 2 journey.  Works well.

Rather than the difference in the ticket price.  As apparently used to apply here.

Doh!

[ozbob]

That's correct, only the additional component, not an isolated zone fare.  Didn't express it clearly.

[ozbob]

 

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/services-and-timetables/event-transport/details/507

Riverfire is a free event. For more information about Riverfire visit the Brisbane Festival website.

Normal TransLink ticketing and fares apply on all TransLink train, bus and ferry services to the event.

As in previous years TransLink is making it easy to get home with free travel from CBD Riverfire venues for up to an hour after the event.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

1st September 2011

Public transport ticketing for Riverfire 3 September 2011

Greetings,

TransLink has notified on their website that

Riverfire is a free event. For more information about Riverfire visit the Brisbane Festival website.

Normal TransLink ticketing and fares apply on all TransLink train, bus and ferry services to the event.

As in previous years TransLink is making it easy to get home with free travel from CBD Riverfire venues for up to an hour after the event.

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/services-and-timetables/event-transport/details/507

There are additional public transport services listed to assist passenger to travel to and from the event as well.

As far as we are aware this is the first time that there has been an explicit statement that public transport will be free for the return journey, provided commenced within an hour.  This is a very welcome move, thank you!

It should be cautioned though that if passengers are not using a go card for their forward journey, plenty of time should be allowed to purchase single paper tickets from the ticket machines on railway stations, bus stations.

Having small change ready to purchase tickets on buses would also assist.

Best wishes
Robert

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

[dwb]

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/services-and-timetables/event-transport/details/507

Riverfire is a free event. For more information about Riverfire visit the Brisbane Festival website.

Normal TransLink ticketing and fares apply on all TransLink train, bus and ferry services to the event.

As in previous years TransLink is making it easy to get home with free travel from CBD Riverfire venues for up to an hour after the event.

I have to say when I read their page about Riverfire services, after reading the whole damn thing I read the bit in bold and didn't bother with the last sentence. Is it just me or is this really poorly written. [note i changed bob's bold in the quoted text for clarity]

I would think at the very top of the page they should say:

"Catching public transport is your best way to and from Riverfire.  As one of the city's biggest annual events there will be many road closures and large crowds making public transport your best bet.  For travel to the event by public transport passengers will need a valid ticket and standard fares and conditions will apply, however as in previous years for one hour after the event, Translink services will be free to get you home safely and quickly."

[ozbob]

Riverfire is a free event.  For more information about Riverfire visit the Brisbane Festival website.

Normal TransLink ticketing and fares apply on all TransLink train, bus and ferry services to the event.

As in previous years TransLink is making it easy to get home with free travel from CBD Riverfire venues for up to two hours after the event, so as to ensure the safety of our passengers as they leave the precinct.

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/services-and-timetables/event-transport/details/507

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

2nd September 2011

Re: Public transport ticketing for Riverfire 3 September 2011

Greetings,

Now a two hour window after Riverfire for free public transport home ...

Riverfire is a free event.  For more information about Riverfire visit the Brisbane Festival website.

Normal TransLink ticketing and fares apply on all TransLink train, bus and ferry services to the event.

As in previous years TransLink is making it easy to get home with free travel from CBD Riverfire venues for up to two hours after the event, so as to ensure the safety of our passengers as they leave the precinct.

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/services-and-timetables/event-transport/details/507

Thanks.

Best wishes
Robert

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

[dwb]

I was wondering Bob, have there been many suggestions for a "family go card" or a family paper ticket.... you know, where a related group is all doing the same travel, say two adults and three kids for a set zonal fare under one ticket? Save all that extra paper/queues etc.

I think previously it was possible to buy QR group tickets, but they had to be pre-purchased, groups larger than 10, blah blah, quite inflexible and unsuitable for a family.

I would think a family style ticket would be great for events where the user is paying and would save all those extra touch on/offs/ complex transactions!

[somebody]

Family Go would require a "proof of payment" system.  How are you going to open the Go gates 4 times for one touch?

And I don't think paper is a good idea.

[dwb]

Family Go would require a "proof of payment" system.  How are you going to open the Go gates 4 times for one touch?

And I don't think paper is a good idea.

Every single gated station has a wide manned gate - the predominance of family travel would be sufficiently served by such gates.

Further, many of the event locations rely heavily on paper tickets. I see no major issue to having driver consoles, QR ticket offices and AAVMs offer a family style ticket for purchase just as they currently do singles.

[ozbob]

Yes agree Dwb, don't see a problem with a 'family' ticket  eg. a paying adult is accompanied by up to 4 children under 17 or whatever.  There need not be a ticket as such, weekends or other times declared for family ticketing the adult using a go card, or paper just brings the children along for the ride.

[somebody]

Yes agree Dwb, don't see a problem with a 'family' ticket  eg. a paying adult is accompanied by up to 4 children under 17 or whatever.  There need not be a ticket as such, weekends or other times declared for family ticketing the adult using a go card, or paper just brings the children along for the ride.

I suppose something like that is possible.  And doesn't require a special go card or paper tickets.  The 1:4 ratio seems a tad generous though.

[HappyTrainGuy]

I'd love to see how long a $50 recharge lasts for. A family trip (2A, 2C) from Central to Surfers Paradise and return would have to be bang on $50 for 2 adults and 2 kids.

[Golliwog]

Not exactly on topic, but it was the last place we discussed event ticketing. (bolding is mine)
http://translink.com.au/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/media-releases/release/388

Circus to bring smiles to children from flood affected Grantham & Lockyer Valley


Wednesday 14 September 2011

School children from flood affected Grantham and the Lockyer Valley will enjoy a night at the circus thanks to Translink and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC).

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said about 200 school children and their parents would be the special guests at the opening night of Le Grand Cirque Adrenaline at QPAC this Thursday (September 15).

Ms Palaszczuk said TransLink would provide transport for the special guests to and from the opening night of the show.

"To make this special night hassle free, shuttle buses will 'roll-up' and travel between Grantham and the Lockyer Valley to Le Grand Cirque," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"This is a great opportunity for the kids and their parents to relax and have fun at the opening night of the new circus spectacular."

Ms Palaszczuk said the students would be amongst the first in Queensland to see Le Grand Cirque's new production Adrenaline at QPAC.

"Le Grand Cirque Adrenaline has just finished a successful season at the Sydney Opera House and the kids are in for a real surprise," Ms Palaszczuk said.

TransLink and QPAC are making travel to Le Grand Cirque Adrenaline easier by offering customers with pre-purchased tickets free travel on all TransLink bus, train and ferry services for four hours before and four hours after the show.

"Public transport is a great way to get to and from QPAC with the Cultural Centre busway station, South Bank train station and South Bank ferry terminals all within close walking distance of the complex," Ms Palaszczuk said.

Ms Palaszczuk said the offer of free travel to QPAC would make it easy for families to get to the theatre.

"With the school holidays just around the corner, free travel will make it even easier and affordable for the whole family to come along and enjoy the spectacle of Le Grand Cirque Adrenaline," Ms Palaszczuk said.

Le Grand Cirque Adrenaline will be showing at QPAC from 15-30 September. For more information or to book tickets visit www.qpac.com.au.

Before travelling, people should plan ahead using the journey planner on the TransLink website, www.translink.com.au, or by calling the Call Centre on 13 12 30 anytime.

As far as I'm aware, this is the first time a show at QPAC has provided free public transport.