Article: Parents riding on kids' go cards to avoid full fares ...

[ozbob]

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Parents riding on kids' go cards to avoid full fares on public transport

Parents riding on kids' go cards to avoid full fares on public transport

    by: Kate McKenna
    From: The Sunday Mail (Qld)
    May 20, 2012 12:00AM

UNSCRUPULOUS parents are using their children's go cards to avoid paying full fares on public transport.

And others are putting children as young as five on school buses without money for fares knowing that they will be accommodated under the State Government's strict No Child Left Behind policy.

Passenger Transport Co-ordinator for the Transport Workers Union Bob Giddens said the issue of cash-strapped parents using their child's go card was an "ongoing problem", but drivers were often reluctant to speak up.

"Adult and concession cards give off a different beep . . . but the drivers are under so much pressure (to keep to the schedule), as long as they hear something, they're OK with that," he said.

"Many drivers also don't want to argue out of fear of violence."

Mr Giddens confirmed there was no record or register that kept track of how many students, or which students, received free travel under the No Child Left Behind policy.

But one driver, with more than 30 years' experience, told The Sunday Mail that he believed it was being "taken advantage of" by parents about 50 times a day.

"The reality is, you can't stop and check everyone," he said.

"The cost of policing outweighs the loss to Translink."

Instead, Mr Giddens suggests every child aged under 15 wearing a school uniform should travel for free to stop the pressure on drivers enforcing fares.

"The drivers are fairly concerned because part of their job is to make sure all fares are paid," he said.

"It happens right now, so why don't we just make it official?"

A Translink spokesman said they had not heard any reports of parents taking advantage of the policy, but warned dodgy commuters would be slapped with a $200 on-the-spot fine.

Children who continue to rort the system are referred to their school.

[Otto]

A Translink spokesman said they had not heard any reports of parents taking advantage of the policy, but warned dodgy commuters would be slapped with a $200 on-the-spot fine.

So why has my sons school stated in their weekly newsletter to parents that the school has been informed via official channels that some students are continually traveling with no credit on their gocards, and could all parents please ensure that their childrens cards do have sufficient credit.

[colinw]

I see Macgregor High kids doing this all the time on the 554. Drivers seem to have given up trying to do anything about it.

[Golliwog]

A Translink spokesman said they had not heard any reports of parents taking advantage of the policy, but warned dodgy commuters would be slapped with a $200 on-the-spot fine.

So why has my sons school stated in their weekly newsletter to parents that the school has been informed via official channels that some students are continually traveling with no credit on their gocards, and could all parents please ensure that their childrens cards do have sufficient credit.

Either do as suggested in the article and make school buses free for all students(I'd assume this would then come out of the government's education budget somewhere?). Alternatively, modify the 'No child left behind' policy. What's stopping the driver taking down the student's details (from a student card or some such) before letting the student on the bus for free, and then having the school or something chase up the parents for payment?

[Jonas Jade]

What about allowing Child / school student go cards to go into debit, but the parents have to pay for it later? (eg they're sent a invoice after say $5-10 limit is reached?), as it would probably be easier just to automate it rather than the probably time consuming process of writing down details, that could then be misread or incorrect etc.

[ozbob]

Beyond farce the situation.  All school students in uniform or with a school pass (some schools don't have uniforms) travel free, all modes, school days?  This will have some benefits as well as some of the 4WD troop carriers might not be on the road so often. The present administrative complexity of putting into practise the various schools passes and so forth can be done away with.  It encourages children to use public transport.  The costs is something we carry now as taxpayers anyway, fare revenue from school children is token.  The savings in administrative costs would probably mostly offset the loss of the notional fare revenue.  Running of buses much improved.

[somebody]

What about allowing Child / school student go cards to go into debit, but the parents have to pay for it later? (eg they're sent a invoice after say $5-10 limit is reached?), as it would probably be easier just to automate it rather than the probably time consuming process of writing down details, that could then be misread or incorrect etc.

Hmm, that would require the child to offer a go card, and for it to be registered to someone responsible.  Seems like a lot bother with invoicing for just a few bucks too.  You'd have to pass on the costs for invoicing I think.

Still, if the details can be sorted out this doesn't seem to be the worst idea.

[SurfRail]

Some states have free travel for school children don't they?  (I think Victoria?)

[Cam]

Some states have free travel for school children don't they?  (I think Victoria?)

NSW students are issued with passes for free public transport from home to school & return. This has been the case for several decades. In the mid-eighties, you paid for travel to/from school in Victoria.

[somebody]

In NSW it was free so long as you live more than 1.6km (as the crow flies) from the school.  You could appeal if you lived approx 2.5km away by road but were within the 1.6km.

These rules could have changed.

[p858snake]

Some states have free travel for school children don't they?  (I think Victoria?)

NSW students are issued with passes for free public transport from home to school & return. This has been the case for several decades. In the mid-eighties, you paid for travel to/from school in Victoria.

So does QLD, but only if you live X from the school (well it's government subsided), That is how I travelled to school for years.