LNP Fares statement

[ozbob]

http://lnp.org.au/policies/reducing-the-cost-of-commuting

Reducing the cost of commuting

The LNP will act to cut the cost of living and promote the use of public transport in South East Queensland by reintroducing discounted weekly fares for regular commuters on our buses, trains and ferries.

Under a CanDo LNP Government, go card users who have travelled on public transport nine times between Monday and Sunday will get any additional trips in that week for free.

This initiative will deliver real savings to commuters with a regular weekday commuter to the CBD from Oxley or Mitchelton saving $220 a year while commuters travelling from Varsity Lakes or Palmwoods will save $667 each year.

This is a practical and real incentive for commuters to use public transport regularly as workers will have an incentive to travel both to and from work on a bus, train or ferry and will get their trip home on Friday free.

As a special bonus any public transport trips they take on the weekend, be it to the movies or the Coast will also be free.

Labor has continued to fail commuters by pushing up prices while at the same time not focusing on delivering a public transport network that is reliable, frequent and safe.

Under Labor the cost of public transport is doubling over five years and the percentage of commuters using public transport has stagnated for the last 15 years.

Unlike the LNP's proposal that will deliver real cost of living benefits to reward regular commuters, the Government only reduces fares for a tiny number of Queenslanders and tries to con commuters this is delivering a benefit.

The LNP will revitalise frontline services and lower the cost of living by cutting waste.

You can't have a public transport system that works for commuters without a change of Government – the LNP will get Queensland Back on Track.

LNP Policy Commitments:

• Provide real fare relief for regular commuters by making the tenth and any additional trips each week free.
• Deliver public transport in South East Queensland that works for commuters by delivering a reliable, frequent and safe network.
• Review the fare structure more broadly once the State's dire budget position has been addressed

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

Comment: Assume they actually mean after nine journeys in a Mon to Sun period, travel then free.

[O_128]

Sounds good, How long will I have to wait for my bus to the movies?

[ozbob]

http://lnp.org.au/news/leader-of-the-lnp/lnp-getting-public-transport-back-on-track

Thursday, 03 November 2011 10:28

LNP getting public transport back on track

    Written by  Campbell Newman

CanDo LNP Government is committed to reducing the cost of commuting for loyal public transport users by reintroducing discounted weekly fares for go card users.

Regular commuters who have used go cards to travel on buses, trains, and ferries in South East Queensland nine times in a week will be rewarded with any additional trips free.

LNP Leader Campbell Newman said this will be a real saving and an incentive to use public transport regularly to and from work – as they will be rewarded with their trip home on Friday at no cost, and bonus free weekend travel.

"The LNP understands Queensland families are struggling with the cost of living.  Balancing the household budget is becoming increasingly difficult as the cost of water, electricity and public transport have all increased significantly under this tired, 20 year Labor Government," Mr Newman said.

"Labor has never had a real plan to encourage the use of public transport – and it's has an appallingly record of planning and delivery."

Under Labor, the cost of public transport tickets is doubling over five years, and not surprisingly public transport share of commuters has stagnated for the last 15 years.

"The Bligh government has failed commuters by forcing up prices – while failing to provide a reliable, frequent and safe public transport network.

"For commuters, public transport has become too expensive and unreliable.

"In contrast the LNP wants to reward daily commuters and bring the cost of living down. After working all week, your trip home on Friday will be at no charge – and you can go to the movies or even to the beach on the weekend for free.

"The LNP will save a regular weekday commuter to the CBD from Oxley or Mitchelton $220 a year - while commuters travelling from Varsity Lakes or Palmwoods will save $667 each year.

"This is a practical move by the LNP to improve the lifestyle of Queenslanders and save families money.

"The LNP will cut waste and revitalise frontline services so commuters can access affordable and reliable public transport.

"The only way to get Queensland back on track is to vote one for an LNP Government."

[colinw]

Very well, can we now have some meaningful statements from the LNP on:

- Cross River Rail
- Frequency of services
- Fare rises in general (they offer periodicals, but what about 15% compounding rises?)
- Public transport usage targets (real, sensible ones)
- Funding for services and infrastructure.

Its one thing to fob a few whingers off with a regressive periodical ticket, another thing entirely to put in place a sensible public transport strategy for the whole region.

--Col

[somebody]

Its one thing to fob a few whingers off with a regressive periodical ticket, another thing entirely to put in place a sensible public transport strategy for the whole reason.

Well said.

The politics of this I'm unsure of - part of it looks like a stolen policy, the others will say looks "better than Labour".

[colinw]

^ where I said 'reason' above, I meant 'region'.  Fingers were going faster than brain.

I mean - seriously - the whole region is crying out for affordable, frequent, convenient public transport.  The infrastructure that will unlock the potential of rail - CRR - desperately needs some sort of committment.  So what do we get? A policy which says "you can have a periodical ticket".  I won't buy the rotten apples just because I can have them in bulk for a cheaper price.

Come on!!

[ozbob]

Fares summary:

ALP  Free travel after 10 journeys in Mon to Sun period.

LNP  Free travel after 9 journeys in Mon to Sun period.


Both major players seem to support further 15%  fare increase next January, 20% off peak discount come January. 

[colinw]

Effect on my voting intention: NIL.

This is a non-policy which tells us absolutely nothing about the future of public transport under an LNP administration.  The system is facing a capacity crisis which has been warned about for years, and we're having an auction over the value of a periodical ticket.  What a complete joke.

[O_128]

Effect on my voting intention: NIL.

This is a non-policy which tells us absolutely nothing about the future of public transport under an LNP administration.  The system is facing a capacity crisis which has been warned about for years, and we're having an auction over the value of a periodical ticket.  What a complete joke.

Not to mention the LNP doesn't actually say how much they want to increase the share of PT to! I might give the greens an email and see what they are doing, slash if they are going to put out press releases which might push the other 2.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Free trips come earlier under LNP plan

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Campbell Newman promises free travel after nine trips on TransLink network

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

There is now widespread confusion between trips and journeys .... sloppy ...  

Be kind of generous if it was after 9 or even 10 trips now wouldn't it?   Like my little excursion this morning Buranda -> Ormiston -> South Bank -> Buranda was one journey, consisting of three trips (each trip within one hour transfer).

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!  (correct terminology used)

Free travel comes earlier under LNP plan

Free travel comes earlier under LNP plan
Tony Moore
November 3, 2011 - 12:18PM

Campbell Newman has upped the ante on the Labor State Government by promising commuters free Go Card travel after their ninth weekly journey.

Under the LNP's policy, released this morning at Carina, commuters who use the Go Card for nine journeys a week will get any further Go Card travel in that week free.

Under the ALP's latest Go Card scheme, released a fortnight ago, commuters get free travel after the 10th journey.

The plan will cost the State Government an extra $9 million in the first year if the LNP wins office, Mr Newman said.

Mr Newman would not say exactly where the $9 million would be found until closer to the election.

The LNP's scheme would start after the 2012-13 Budget, if the LNP wins the next election.

The scheme will apply from Monday to Sunday and include commuters who use the Go Card to travel on buses, trains and ferries in south-east Queensland.

It will apply to entire journeys, not trips, so if you use two or more modes of transport to travel to work, that will still count as one journey.

"After working all week, your trip home on Friday will be at no charge - and you can go to the movies or even to the beach on the weekend for free," Mr Newman said.

In figures released this morning the LNP estimated their scheme would save commuters travelling from the CBD to Mitchelton $220 a year, or a commuter from Varsity Lakes or Palmwoods $667 a year.

Mr Newman said the Go Card system was too entrenched to scrap and start again, but said the current scheme needed to be improved.

"I think we have gone far too far to scrap the current system , but it certainly needs to be enhanced," Mr Newman said.

"Some of my criticisms in the past have been the lack of places that you can top up your Go Card."

More top-up machines should be made available, he said.

Under the existing system, commuters receive half-price travel after notching up 10 journeys in a Monday-to-Sunday week, with no restriction on which zones are included.

The count resets early Monday morning.

A fortnight ago, Treasurer Andrew Fraser announced the government's new Go Card incentive offering free travel after 10 journeys would start in January 2012.

brisbanetimes.com.au reported how CBD workers who use public transport twice daily would have to take four extra weekend journeys to see any real benefit from the government's new free travel offe, given that all Go Card prices rise 15 per cent in January 2012, as part of the state government's annual public transport fare rise.

Mr Fraser flagged a response to the LNP's Go Card package this morning.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/free-travel-comes-earlier-under-lnp-plan-20111103-1mwxu.html

[Fares_Fair]

I for one believe it is good news, especially for long-haul commuters.
On the down side, it does appear that the 15% fare hikes are locked in until 2014.

It also has the potential to help alleviate fare evasion as well, by encouraging the number of journey's taken.

A saving of $667 per year is nothing to be sneezed at or disparaged.
They promise to review the fare structure more broadly, subject to the State's financial situation, a measured approach in light of what we know about the economy.

from me.

I know that many Sunshine Coast commuters will welcome the fiscal amelioration.

Regards,
Fares-Fair.

[ozbob]

Some points:

1.  Appears the LNP have given up on periodical tickets as such (the go card system would need some major updates, and the last thing we need is paper).

2.  Either way,  free travel after 9 or 10 journeys is a good deal IMHO.  I actually think it will drive a lot of out of peak travel as well.  To further encourage and increase the fare box increase off peak discount to 30% minimum.

3.  Public transport users need to accept that the go card, and its fare structure is here to stay.  Educate yourself on how to use the go card in a smart manner.  Use the transfer capability to maximum effect.  Use the new journey caps to maximum effect.

4.  Get rid of all paper tickets.  Make go cards available at a low cost eg. $1.  Folks then just top up.  Have preloaded cards everywhere as well.

[dwb]

Fares summary:
ALP  Free travel after 10 journeys in Mon to Sun period.
LNP  Free travel after 9 journeys in Mon to Sun period.

Both major players seem to support further 15%  fare increase next January, 20% off peak discount come January. 

Yep, pretty much.

But if you believe that man he's going to "get Queensland Back on Track".

One word for this announcement LAUGHABLE!

[dwb]

Effect on my voting intention: NIL.

This is a non-policy which tells us absolutely nothing about the future of public transport under an LNP administration.  The system is facing a capacity crisis which has been warned about for years, and we're having an auction over the value of a periodical ticket.  What a complete joke.

I disagree, this announcement SAYS A LOT about the future of public transport under an LNP administration.

[colinw]

Effect on my voting intention: NIL.

This is a non-policy which tells us absolutely nothing about the future of public transport under an LNP administration.  The system is facing a capacity crisis which has been warned about for years, and we're having an auction over the value of a periodical ticket.  What a complete joke.

I disagree, this announcement SAYS A LOT about the future of public transport under an LNP administration.

I do believe you are right!

[Stillwater]

Free travel after nine journeys ... it is a start, but there is a danger in getting policy leaks in dribs and drabs.  Usually when governments do this (around budget time, always) they leak the good news gradually so the media and public can chew it over 27 times before swallowing to extract flavout, then WHAMMY! we get the bad news in one big dose.

LNP thinking coming out slowly:

Free go-card travel after nine journeys (but no statement on fare increases, so we must assume LNP would allow them, but feed in some offsets maybe)

Longer platforms at South Brisbane and Southbank while LNP develops scheme to nut out cross-river rail capacity (but not the current CRR project, it would seem)

2 rail overpasses in Brisbane

Freeze on car rego hikes for three years

No tolls for Bruce Highway (hollow promise, since there are none)

And the rest?

[dwb]

I just commented on the btimes story:

"What is sad is that this is the same as Labor's fare changes coming into effect January, except the number is 9-then-free not 10-then-free. I mean are you serious? This policy is a joke! Want to learn about fares see the bitly links above, they'll help cut through the spin!"
http://scr.bi/qpHztQ scr.bi/85mmVU

[#Metro]

Personally I don't care. Who needs freebies when you have a decent PT system.
Oh that's right.... its to make up for the rotten apple state of the system.

[colinw]

For the average "10 journeys a week" commuter this represents a transient 10% reduction in their weekly spend, but the first 15% increase will claw back the difference and some. Given that this will deprive TransLink of some revenue all it will do is set things back, and probably guarantee at least one additional 15% hike.

The LNP is doing a stellar job of convincing me NOT to vote for them, despite my dislike for the present Government.

[O_128]

The LNP is doing a stellar job of convincing me NOT to vote for them, despite my dislike for the present Government.

Just what I was thinking. Its almost like they don't want our votes

[Stillwater]

The bet the LNP is having with itself is that the voting public's dislike of the ALP will cause us to switch to them without placing the LNP under scrutiny, or to demand they have properly costed policies.  This is a mistake on the LNP's part.  The community is demanding of the LNP the exact opposite of the wish-list, unfunded documents such as Connecting SEQ 2031 being promulgated by the ALP.

Please stop the rhetoric... you know the stuff:

Labor has ignored Public Transport in Queensland, but the LNP will put it right.  Anna Bligh has had 20 years to fix the hopeless rail mess, we will get it on track.

Some detail would be helpful.

[Cam]

Freeze on car rego hikes for three years

Unfortunately, this is a much bigger vote winner than a freeze on public transport prices for 3 years & the LNP know it. Why can't we have both when there has been well above CPI increases for both over recent years?

[Mr X]

She hasn't ignored it per se, she's just spent the funding on useless waffle and used the stupid idea that we can't have any services unless there are big concrete structures costing $999 billion per kilometre with big open days and media stunt plaques!

[Gazza]

For the average "10 journeys a week" commuter this represents a transient 10% reduction in their weekly spend, but the first 15% increase will claw back the difference and some. Given that this will deprive TransLink of some revenue all it will do is set things back, and probably guarantee at least one additional 15% hike.

My first thought. No such thing as a free lunch!
It's still a 5% fare rise basically, which is still above inflation.

^ where I said 'reason' above, I meant 'region'.  Fingers were going faster than brain.

I mean - seriously - the whole region is crying out for affordable, frequent, convenient public transport.  The infrastructure that will unlock the potential of rail - CRR - desperately needs some sort of committment.  So what do we get? A policy which says "you can have a periodical ticket".  I won't buy the rotten apples just because I can have them in bulk for a cheaper price.

Come on!!

Also agreed. S***s me off to no end that people/the public bleat so much about fares, something that is only a $9 million/year promise in the end (So half a train station upgrade).
Takes focus away from the actual important stuff like service standards and infrastructure.

Seriously just over hearing about fares 
Things like hearing that an $800 mil line will be 2tph and knowing that stuff like finishing the GCLRT is a painful 10 year process (20 years for heavy) bothers me much much more.

[#Metro]

It's still a 5% fare rise basically, which is still above inflation.

Lol. I always get annoyed when people say "it must be CPI/inflation". I mean, do you want the frequency to only grow at inflation (i.e. effectively no new money). Where do people think $$ come from??

The biggest cost is TIME. Rubbish frequency, wouldn't touch some routes (105, 414, most of the GCL) even if they paid me to ride them...

[Mr X]

198, 202...

[Gazza]

It's still a 5% fare rise basically, which is still above inflation.

Lol. I always get annoyed when people say "it must be CPI/inflation". I mean, do you want the frequency to only grow at inflation (i.e. effectively no new money). Where do people think $$ come from??

The biggest cost is TIME. Rubbish frequency, wouldn't touch some routes (105, 414, most of the GCL) even if they paid me to ride them...

I know. I was more making a point that neither party is gonna commit to keeping fare rises to CPI.

[dwb]

It's still a 5% fare rise basically, which is still above inflation.

Lol. I always get annoyed when people say "it must be CPI/inflation". I mean, do you want the frequency to only grow at inflation (i.e. effectively no new money). Where do people think $$ come from??

The biggest cost is TIME. Rubbish frequency, wouldn't touch some routes (105, 414, most of the GCL) even if they paid me to ride them...

I know. I was more making a point that neither party is gonna commit to keeping fare rises to CPI.

I don't even think they should.... CPI is just a really rough average across the economy anyway, and tying fares to CPI doesn't make much sense other than from a publicity perspective. Costs in transport for instance have obviously been rising above average CPI for the last 10 years... how much of this is due to wages, fuel costs or the increasing INefficiency of the transport system I'm not sure.

But one thing is for certain, Campbell Newman removed bus lanes as pretty much the first thing he did when he got into office as Lord Mayor, and that reduced the efficiency of buses, which is another way of saying he increased the cost of running the buses... and that cost had to be passed on eventually, and when it did we got some jerk with a spreadsheet he/she didn't understand who slapped big % rises on it across the board to try and keep govt subsidy at a certain percentage level without even looking to see what return on investment they were getting from their service providers.

The least the government should be doing is explaining WHY fares are rising, and it is not really to keep govt subsidy at 75%, and even if they do keep it at a certain proportion, then it should be only operating expense (my understanding is that in large part it includes things like capex for park and ride... ie anything translink spend in a year)... why should MY fare, be paying for THEIR expensive park and ride?! If we had more discussion like that perhaps there would be more community understanding as to why you can't build park and ride everywhere.

But has Translink actually looked at how much it SHOULD cost (ie benchmark) to run an average train service or bus service per km... and do fares actually have anything to do with that or do we just have 18 different private operators demanding huge chunks of money from the govt to operate highly inefficient services?!

Rant over! (for now)....

[#Metro]

I have to say that I am pleased with the major progress happening on the Core Frequent Network and the rollout of trunk BUZ routes along fast arterial roads.

I'm happy to pay for that. A lot of people are happy to pay for quality, just look at how many people own cars despite the expense.
For train commuters however, it is a different story. Crappy frequency for even higher fares...

What's needed is action on train frequency...

[Golliwog]

This is ridiculous. A few months ago, Newman was having a big old whinge and refusing to release his policies stating "Anna Bligh will steal them!!!!" What is this that we get from him now? The Labor policy announced a couple of weeks ago but instead of after 10 journeys, its 9. Can anyone say "Buying votes"? I'll agree that either way, it's a win for the commuter, but the whole point of being after 10 trips was to get people using PT for MORE than just commuting to and from work. Sure, when combined with the fare hikes, they'll still be paying more (makes his statements about "a commuter from X to Y will save $$ a year clear crap then doesn't it?) but it's rewarding people for doing what they're already doing. The point was to lure more people into using it more than they do now.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Transport on track despite $7m fare revenue cut

Transport on track despite $7m fare revenue cut
Daniel Hurst
November 4, 2011 - 3:00AM

The state government insists it will not have to cut its plans to deliver 310,000 extra weekly seats on public transport, despite slicing $7 million from expected fare revenue to deliver a free travel lure.

The government and the opposition last night clashed over their rival public transport incentives, with Labor last month announcing a plan to offer free travel after 10 journeys in a week, and the Liberal National Party yesterday pledging to offer it after nine journeys.

Public transport fares are due to rise by 15 per cent in early January.

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk last night hit out at the LNP's nine-journey incentive, saying it would cost $18.2 million compared with $6.7 million for the government's 10-journey plan.

Ms Palaszczuk said the LNP's $11.5 million extra cost would be equivalent to the cost of providing 160,000 additional weekly seats on the public transport network.

"Campbell Newman needs to explain what services he will cut to pay for this and where," she said.

But asked about the government's plan, Ms Palaszczuk said the $6.7 million reduction in expected fare revenue would not affect its ability to provide the previously announced 310,000 additional weekly seats this financial year.

Opposition transport spokesman Scott Emerson said this showed the government's original budget figures were "rubbery", because the fare hikes were meant to be needed to fund the extra seats.

"What they've shown is that no one can believe their numbers," he said.

The government's often-stated justification for 15 per cent a year fare hikes has been to fund extra services and transport infrastructure. By its own reasoning, tens of thousands of extra seats could be provided if the government didn't offer its own free travel lure.

Ms Palaszczuk said the government was able to offer the $6.7 million free travel benefit "through budgeting and planning" and there was no reduction in the planned rollout of new seats on network services.

It was unclear what savings had been found, but government sources said the $6.7 million free travel lure cost should be viewed within the context of TransLink's $1.5 billion annual budget from which efficiencies can be found.

Ms Palaszczuk said the government's free travel lure would benefit the 35,000 regular Go Card users who already take more than 10 journeys a week.

"We believe there is also a strong incentive for the 100,000 Go Card users who make between 8 and 10 journeys [weekly] to also benefit from free travel," she said.

"We've already delivered more than 160,000 weekly seats in two packages on October 31 and August 29 as part of the opening of stage two of the Eastern Busway."

The LNP has promised to explain where it will find the money to fund its pledge closer to the election, due early next year.

Mr Emerson last night stood by his estimate that the LNP's free travel lure would cost $9 million more than the government's, despite TransLink modelling the additional cost at $11.5 million.

He said free travel after nine journeys in a week would provide "real relief" to Monday to Friday commuters, who would enjoy a free journey on Friday evening and then free weekend travel.

The LNP plan would take effect after its first budget, should it win the state election, and apply in the 2012/13 financial year. Labor's will take effect in early January at the same time as the general fare hike.

Robert Dow, from commuter lobby group Rail Back on Track, said it was clear both sides of politics would maintain the fare strategy of 15 per cent a year increases.

Mr Dow said it was natural for some commuters to ask for fare hikes to be reduced rather than free travel to be offered after many trips in a week.

"But if people sit back and think this through a little bit what we think will happen is you'll get a reverse of the patronage slide we've had at the moment to make people use public transport more often," he said.

Mr Dow questioned whether the free travel lures would cost the government more money after all, predicting it would boost patronage and deliver an overall increase to fare revenue.

Under the existing system, commuters get half-price travel for any travel after notching up 10 journeys in a Monday-to-Sunday week, with no restriction on which zones are included. The count resets early Monday morning.

Analysis by brisbanetimes.com.au last month showed Brisbane CBD workers who continued to use public transport twice daily would have to take four extra weekend journeys to see any real benefit from the government's free travel offer.

But Rail Back on Track predicted commuters would find enterprising ways to beat the system by taking extra, short mid-week journeys to get to the free travel threshold sooner in the week.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/transport-on-track-despite-7m-fare-revenue-cut-20111103-1my1n.html

[ozbob]

I don't have much faith in TransLink modelling.  No doubt, the modelling showed that 20% and then successive annual 15% per annum fare increases would decrease the relative direct subsidy (one of the stated aims) and provide more revenue for services.  Well what happened was the fare box as a relative % actually fell, and patronage has begun to slide.  The free travel after 10 journeys (or 9) will I believe actually reverse the patronage slide, and paradoxically boost the fare box.  Particularly with gains with frequency and service expansion.  A greater number of users overall will reverse the trends of late.  What we need to do is collectively take the chips off the shoulder and educate the community on how to use the go card for best effect, for themselves and broadly for the community in gaining the macro benefits of reduced congestion, lowered road trauma costs, lessened environmental impacts.

[#Metro]

The state government insists it will not have to cut its plans to deliver 310,000 extra weekly seats on public transport, despite slicing $7 million from expected fare revenue to deliver a free travel lure.

The cost of a freebie -- 3 BUZ routes!!

NO MORE FREEBIES PLZ!!

[dwb]

The cost of a freebie -- 3 BUZ routes!!

NO MORE FREEBIES PLZ!!

I think what Bob is say generally, and I agree is that you can "cost" a fare change on a previous year's patronage, but the world works in mysterious ways and you can't really expect the same sales at a different price... most people in business realise that but sometimes I wonder about Translink and the minister's pushing the decisions. So decreasing price could improve revenue, by pushing more volume. There is a point tho where you won't push any more volume than otherwise and you're just going to be cutting in to profitability.

I continue to broadly think that there is little elasticity for peak hour customers (eg due to the existing fare increases) and instead the elasticity exists much more highly for offpeak passengers. [nb Yes I'm deliberately interchanging synonyms customers=passengers.] Further, peak capacity is currently and significantly limited, so I believe the peak price should be set to maximise revenue, rather than maximise patronage (given we are and still will be at capacity if it were cheaper). The offpeak price should be set substantially lower, equivalent to or cheaper in real terms than the 2004 singles ($2 adult one zone).

[SurfRail]

The cost of a freebie -- 3 BUZ routes!!

NO MORE FREEBIES PLZ!!

I think what Bob is say generally, and I agree is that you can "cost" a fare change on a previous year's patronage, but the world works in mysterious ways and you can't really expect the same sales at a different price... most people in business realise that but sometimes I wonder about Translink and the minister's pushing the decisions. So decreasing price could improve revenue, by pushing more volume. There is a point tho where you won't push any more volume than otherwise and you're just going to be cutting in to profitability.

I continue to broadly think that there is little elasticity for peak hour customers (eg due to the existing fare increases) and instead the elasticity exists much more highly for offpeak passengers. [nb Yes I'm deliberately interchanging synonyms customers=passengers.] Further, peak capacity is currently and significantly limited, so I believe the peak price should be set to maximise revenue, rather than maximise patronage (given we are and still will be at capacity if it were cheaper). The offpeak price should be set substantially lower, equivalent to or cheaper in real terms than the 2004 singles ($2 adult one zone).

+1

[Golliwog]

Depending on your model, you can potentially forecast changes in passenger numbers and journeys/passenger,week. What Translink has included in their model isn't clear, though I would expect that their 9 journey one would have been done at the same time as their 10 journey option, just to see differences in costs. I would also expect TL's costing to be more accurate than the LNP's, mostly because they have all the data available. Well, more than the LNP anyway, theres no such thing as too much data.

[Set in train]

Remember the 10 Trip Savers? Weren't they 10 trips for the price of 8? None of the new policies look like a good deal when compared to that.

It is interesting to note that there is no mention of further investment in public transport, all the debate between the parties and here, the members has been within the existing budget. What about expanding the PT budget? How about at least returning the fare subisdy back to the historical norm before the overall budget position deteriorated?

[Golliwog]

IMO, either of these options is better than a 10 trip saver. Infinite journeys on the TL network for the price of 9 or 10 journeys.