Ministerial Statement: Go Card records 500,000 free trips in one month

[BrizCommuter]

With a zone based daily journey cap, shouldn't that really be based around 2x the longest journey travelled? (Since a daily was 2 singles)


Disagree about the need for passes....Weekly could effectively be programmed automatically into the system (No matter how much people fetish the idea of going up to a machine and loading a pass that does exactly the same thing), and monthlies/yearlies weren't used by enough people to warrant reinstatement. It's just a big additional programming cost.

Still, I think the best policy is "Everyday low fares", without worrying too much about other special fare products.

Weekly/monthly/yearly passes could be automated, purchased online, or purchased at machine. Works well in London.

Daily cap at 2 journeys is probably a bit too low, we have to be realistic. London's off-peak daily cap = 3.5 off peak journeys, but this also allows use on evening peak services to zone 1. Good for tourists who don't emerge from their hotel until after 9:30am.

[Arnz]

Some brief opinions.

It could be argued that it should be distance based, like the MRT in Singapore and MTR in Hong Kong.  Adjusted accordingly for South East Queensland with reduced flagfall and the capping removed.   Not only Brisbane people are taking one zone trips, people in Ipswich, Gold Coast, Caboolture and Sunshine Coast too take one zone trips (eg down the shops or bingo hall to name a few).  Those on the coasts and outer suburbs taking one zone trips are obviously less than Brisbane, but those commuters are there.

50% FUD discount for any journeys taken after 10 trips (have the CBD a transit fare free zone) YET still encourage outer suburban and coastal commuters local trips on their bus network in their local areas after work (may get them to the discount faster, but at least they're using their local bus network instead of the Brisbane CBD, therefore boosting local patronage figures in the other regions).

Set capping only applied to interstate and overseas tourists with 1-2-3 day passes based on zones (like the old South East Explorer in the pre-TransLink days) upon presentation of a passport or interstate drivers license at selected stations.

[#Metro]

KISS.

No passes.
No free zones.
Use the free loop bus, but even that could be cut IMHO. Walking is often faster!
Cut paper ticketing. It should be gone by now, why is it still around?
Daily cap equal to three full journeys or so. No other caps.
Transfers should be free.

Focus on providing FREQUENCY, SPEED (cut stops) and SPAN and SIMPLICITY. Constant playing around with the fares is a distraction - most people can afford it. There is this thing called 'price point'. People will pay less for rotten apples. Put on crisp apples and you can charge more.

[BrizCommuter]

KISS.

No passes.
No free zones.
Use the free loop bus, but even that could be cut IMHO. Walking is often faster!
Cut paper ticketing. It should be gone by now, why is it still around?
Daily cap equal to three full journeys or so. No other caps.
Transfers should be free.

Focus on providing FREQUENCY, SPEED (cut stops) and SPAN and SIMPLICITY. Constant playing around with the fares is a distraction - most people can afford it. There is this thing called 'price point'. People will pay less for rotten apples. Put on crisp apples and you can charge more.

The apparent success of the 9 journey cap shows that a weekly product in some form is required. If regular Mon-Fri commuters have to pay extra for weekend leisure trips, they can and will take the car instead!

[somebody]

Works well in London.

Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't London/Oyster still have the notion of needing to load a periodical onto the card, like myki?  Only the daily cap is automatically applied.

[ozbob]

There is no problem in setting up periodical on a myki.  When the user does the top up you simply specify myki money (pay as you go), or myki pass and number of days.  It is not an issue.

[#Metro]

The apparent success of the 9 journey cap shows that a weekly product in some form is required. If regular Mon-Fri commuters have to pay extra for weekend leisure trips, they can and will take the car instead!

Where is the proof of mode shift? Weekend trips are already discounted anyway because they are off-peak.
How many more of these trips are 'waste' trips which serves no purpose other than just to qualify for the cap?

The costs of this need to be compared against that of the alternative - using the money for more BUZ services.

[Gazza]

How many more of these trips are 'waste' trips which serves no purpose other than just to qualify for the cap?

And the big one, how many of these 500,000 trips are people coming home from work etc on a friday night on their 10th trip, getting a "free" trip they otherwise would've paid for in the past (In other words, farebox leakage)

Weekly/monthly/yearly passes could be automated, purchased online, or purchased at machine. Works well in London.

What about the fact you have to nominate a station to "pick up" your pass that you bought online. No worries for a tube user, but in the context of SEQ where there are a large number of bus only trips it seems less practical.
Plus it appears their periodicals are mode specific (Treats rail differently to Bus and Tram  )

Still don't get the obsession with monthly, yearlies anyway. It was about 3% of users in SEQ that used them....I'm struggling to see the cost/benefit of reprogramming a system for their needs....How about they just pay as they go like everyone else?

And I repeat that there is no need for a loadable weekly, because you can have exactly the same outcome by just having an appropriatley designed weekly cap (If you really want one) A week is a short enough time interval for the system to be able to monitor these sorts of things.
Canberra have a monthly cap too of course, but theirs is flat fare so that probably simplfies things in terms of information storage on the card...I doubt a monthly cap would work in SEQ.

The apparent success of the 9 journey cap shows that a weekly product in some form is required.

Not sure about that conclusion either. If people are happily running along with a weekly cap why is it "required" that a loadable product be offered instead/alongside? Is it simply because you like the idea/nostolgia of the old weeklies?

Struggling to see how anybody would benefit from weeklies being offered compared to the current situation.

[somebody]

There is no problem in setting up periodical on a myki.  When the user does the top up you simply specify myki money (pay as you go), or myki pass and number of days.  It is not an issue.

I say that it is.  I've always hated having to anticipate my transport usage over the period to decide the best ticket.

[rant]I positively hate this retarded notion, frankly!  I cannot see why you would want to have to select the periodical.  The system should work it out!  There is no reason why it shouldn't.  And there is no value in spending millions to reprogram the system to support such functionality.  We have better things to lobby for.

What's next?  Saying that the only problem with Sydney's fare system is transfers.[/rant]

I'll have a good lie down now.

The costs of this need to be compared against that of the alternative - using the money for more BUZ services.

Correct.

How many more of these trips are 'waste' trips which serves no purpose other than just to qualify for the cap?

And the big one, how many of these 500,000 trips are people coming home from work etc on a friday night on their 10th trip, getting a "free" trip they otherwise would've paid for in the past (In other words, farebox leakage)

Isn't that intentional farebox leakage?  An interesting policy, but not an accident.

Weekly/monthly/yearly passes could be automated, purchased online, or purchased at machine. Works well in London.

What about the fact you have to nominate a station to "pick up" your pass that you bought online. No worries for a tube user, but in the context of SEQ where there are a large number of bus only trips it seems less practical.
Plus it appears their periodicals are mode specific (Treats rail differently to Bus and Tram  )

Still don't get the obsession with monthly, yearlies anyway.

Ditto.  Other than the thinking that they will get cheaper fares.

It was about 3% of users in SEQ that used them....

I'm sure you are thinking of the QR long term passes there.

The apparent success of the 9 journey cap shows that a weekly product in some form is required.

I would say that it shows that free fares increase public transport usage.  Well, der

[ozbob]

Settle down Simon   .  People do have different view points to you. Stating that putting a periodical on a myki is no problem is not reason to get frothy. It is not a problem for the users at all who choose that option. You also need to accept that others do think that periodicals would/can be an option.  You constantly read things into a simple statement by myself or others that infers something other than the intent of the post/comment etc.  It does become tedious after a while.  You need to accept things as they are.

My own position is clear.  I have stated many times what I would like to see.  See http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8719.msg103604#msg103604

How many times does it have to be stated! The go card cannot handle periodicals in its present system format (personal communication from former CEO TransLink).

[ozbob]

Rather than whine, my efforts are directed at getting an outcome to the biggest concern to the public at the moment, the affordability of PT.  The present fares are not in the best interests of all in my opinion.  The free travel is only going to exacerbate fare box leakage.  Under the constraints of the go card system what I have suggested will achieve a number of things:

1.  It will encourage those who only do say 3 or 4 journeys a week onto PT.

2.  It will encourage more use of off peak services.

3.  High use users will still see benefits, and even travel over the journey cap fare income will still be achieved as against zero at the moment.

4.  The incentive to outright rort is lessened.  Some will still do but at least there is still a fare box.

5.  Provides the opportunity to fix the zone anomalies eg. Oxley rail 3, Oxley bus 4.  This could be done at the time of change-over.

6.  No significant system costs, the go card system as is can handle all the things I have suggested with the possible exception of 7am touch off for the off-peak. Not sure if that can be implemented on the system as is.

7.  As it is 7.5% increases are only going to dissuade more from using public transport, particularly those who don't do nine journeys. Either freeze or just CPI for the next two years.

At the time of introduction of this withdraw all paper, and sell preloaded go cards on all buses, in additional to the other outlets.

Briz's idea of using weeklies on the go to stop the fare box leakage is another approach.  But I don't think they will do that because of the costs associated with system changes.

We have never lobbied or advocated for free travel (other than pensioners, school travel) as for the current fare structure.  This free after a certain journey cap stuff came out of the blue, never raised at PTAG or go card Reference Group.

[#Metro]

We have never lobbied or advocated for free travel (other than pensioners, school travel) as for the current fare structure.  This free after a certain journey cap stuff came out of the blue, never raised at PTAG or go card Reference Group.

Two words : Election pork

It certainly won the election for them. But we need a clear position. We have been arguing about fares forever - and there are so many variables to tinker with, we could spend an eternity trying to optimise everything. Free for school runs with ID flash - surely the Go card system can be programmed to charge nothing for child touch ons before 9.30 am and after 3 pm up until 5 pm on weekdays. School holidays might be an issue though - particularly as private public schools have different holidays. Charge at other times. All child IDs could be GoCards like the pensioners do.

Daily caps might be worth looking at - though I don't really buy the 'we must give discounts to frequent users'. Why? They're going to make that trip anyway. And we have to be careful that we don't encourage nonsense trips / purposeless trips whose sole reason is just to rort the system. That's not promoting PT - that's just rorting and farebox leakage which reduces $$ for decent services elsewhere.

[somebody]

How many times does it have to be stated! The go card cannot handle periodicals in its present system format (personal communication from former CEO TransLink).

I am sure this is correct.  That's why I am confused as to why it would constantly be brought up about the "fare structure" ?  Ok, in this thread it wasn't you that mentioned it.

They AREN'T going to bring back weeklies.  While some may mourn their loss, I think the majority is in the other camp which says it is a good riddance.

[ozbob]

The reality is TT they will not move from the present ' free ' paradigm unless there are some offsets.  There was not a great deal wrong with the 50% discount.  It is reasonable for some discount to be applied after x journeys.  They simply will not move unless they perceive a change is acceptable politically.

What is certain, just pushing up the base fares to more unaffordable levels as is the present plan,  is just going to increase the rorting, which feeds into a vicious cycle of increasing costs, patronage resistance and leakage.

I expect some changes from January 2013.  They well understand the political risks of moving ahead with the 7.5% increase.

[somebody]

You need to accept things as they are.

Queenslander!

[ozbob]

That line is in context with the point being made, accept the value of a comment or statement, don't try to read things that are not being said ...

[Gazza]

1.  It will encourage those who only do say 3 or 4 journeys a week onto PT.

Daily caps might be worth looking at - though I don't really buy the 'we must give discounts to frequent users'. Why? They're going to make that trip anyway.

Just on that, I'm not sure why we sweat it so much to make sure existing users get special deals, or are encouraged to do extra trips, through things such as caps.

For me, its more important to get more of the population using PT some of the time and more new users, rather than focusing on a small group of hardcore users and getting them to use it a lot of the time.

Say you were looking at:
-Making a 10 trip user make an 11th trip.
-Making a non user make at least one trip.

I think the 2nd option is a much bigger win, especially if they are making that trip at a time which helps relieve pressure on the roads etc.

Its an across the board thing that huge focus is given to existing users and making things perfect for them (Which you never could achieve anyway) but they always forget about the 93% of trips which don't use PT.

The crowd who complain about the loss of their weekly ticket are the same people who won't like their local bus route changed, or wont like the Ippy line stopping pattern changes that happened with the sector 1 review, or the ones in Melb who couldn't deal with letting go of Metcard for Myki, and I could go on and on.

What it basically results in is a network that is good at meeting the needs of a few people (Who subsequently fight tooth and nail against any changes to their perfect little ecosystem) but kinda fails at being a public transport system that caters to the majority.

Out of all the options If it were a system of "everyday low fares", that option spreads the benefit most broadly.

And we have to be careful that we don't encourage nonsense trips / purposeless trips whose sole reason is just to rort the system.

Horse has already bolted on that one:
http://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/sunshine-coast/rail-travellers-face-ongoing-price-hikes/story-fn8m0yxo-1226238261880

[#Metro]

^ I agree with this. Seems like a lot of work for very little gain. I don't really believe in end of week freebies for people that would travel on that day *anyway*. That's just pork for the masses.

My position has changed to a daily cap. 2.5 or 3x ticket price MAX.
That way you get casual users PLUS long term frequent users a set amount for the day. Longer term users - weeklies/monthlies/blah blah - do not bother with even more ticket products. That's the thing I like about Go Card. It's very simple, none of this Victorian Fares and Ticketing Manual or MyNonsense with 1 bazillion options + that Sydney has.

[ozbob]

For interest, a daily cap based on journeys travelled was the essential option the various organisations that comprised the broad membership of the go card reference group were pushing.

eg. [highest zone journey x 2] + 30%

What we ended up with is just going to push up base fares excessively, and allows many to rort.

Whether the political will is there to bring it back into a sensible paradigm is unlikely.

Fare affordability is shaping up to be major issue moving forwards.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

8 August 2012

Re: Call for urgent review of fares for public transport

Greetings,

Fare affordability is looming as a major issue.

Much grief about price gouging for electricity.  Public transport fares have increased 65% the past 4 years, with a planned 7.5% increase from January 2013.

"There's been heated debate on the Queensland Rail Facebook page overnight on price and ticketing, garnering nearly 7,000 likes and over 600 comments.  Quite a bit of it being misinformed commuters over who handles the fares and ticketing.*

https://www.facebook.com/QueenslandRail/posts/472931116058587?notif_t=feed_comment_reply  "

*http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8719.msg106453#msg106453

The present fare structure and price levels are simply not sustainable, it is actually costing money. 

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

3rd August 2012

Call for urgent review of fares for public transport

Greetings,

It is very clear that the fare structure and price levels must be reviewed, urgently.

A poll at Brisbanetimes has confirmed that the public is not really impressed by the free travel after nine (or ten as the case was).

See http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/free-fares-not-blowing-hole-in-budget-emerson-20120731-23bdd.html#poll

It is a landslide rejection of a flawed fare paradigm.  The fares are unaffordable for many and  are anti-public transport, as also evidenced in the TransLink Tracker for all to see.

Poll: Would you rather receive free fares after nine trips each week or simply have the cost of public transport reduced?

Free fares - it encourages more use

     18%
Cheaper fares - it's simpler and fairer

    82%

Total votes: 391.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/free-fares-not-blowing-hole-in-budget-emerson-20120731-23bdd.html#ixzz22POjICdQ

Due to an ever escalating fare leakage, the price of fares will have to soar to cover the leakage, unless the flawed fare paradigm is sorted.

How this leakage occurs can be reviewed here ( -->  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8840.msg105980#msg105980 ).

My estimate is that this will soon escalate to at least  $30 million dollars or more per annum.

This means that the base fare price will have to continue to increase many times the rate of CPI and inflation to cover it.  Further compounding the unaffordability of the fares.

The State Government is trumpeting the fact they plan to increase fares by only 7.5%, instead of 15% previously planned.  Come on, you can't be serious?

Public transport fares have already increased 65% over the past 4 years, and 7.5% is around 6 times the CPI.  My DFRDB pension increased by 0.1% this year.  7.5% is 75 times the increase in my DFRDB pension!

The lack of a family / group ticket (as available in other states) is another issue that needs addressing.
( 15 Jul 2012: SEQ:Call for a group/family go card ticket on the TransLink network http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8759.0 )

The mean spiritedness of not extending concession fares to ALL health care card holders (as occurs in ALL other states) needs addressing.

Why is Queensland so backward?

Way forward --> 1 Jul 2012: SEQ: Reduce or eliminate the fare 'flag-fall' http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8673.0

It is time the State Government lived up to its election rhetoric.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

31st July 2012

Call for review of fare structure for public transport

Greetings,

The failing fare structure is concerning.

Couriermail:
Free trips taking toll on State's bottom line
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/campbell-newmans-free-journeys-election-promise-for-public-transport-could-cost-lnp-government-24m/story-e6freoof-1226438930571

It is pointless reviewing the bus and rail system without reviewing the other critical component.  The fare structure.

Having a high price product and then offset it by giving it away for free is silly.

A more uniform approach would be a lot better.

Fare box leakage is going to become a flood that will ultimately have to be plugged.

Either change the structure or keep jacking up the price of fares - excessively.

There will be significant political grief if the 7.5% fare increase (6 times CPI, 75 times DFRDB pension increase of 0.1%) is not off set or wound back.

The LNP gave a commitment to review the entire fare structure during the election. See -->  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8719.msg103659#msg103659

Best wishes
Robert

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


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

Media release 10 July 2012 re-released 31 July 2012

SEQ: Call for review of fare structure for public transport

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 called for an immediate review of the fare structure for public transport in south-east Queensland.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The latest TransLink Tracker has confirmed that fare affordability is at an all time low (1). The Passenger load survey shows a similar dim picture (2).  Patronage growth is now stunted, with flow on effects for traffic congestion, environmental impacts and trauma costs."

"Further planned fare increases of 7.5% for 2013 and 2014 will just further compound the present unaffordability."

"The fare structure as it is a failure.  Cost of short journeys is relatively too expensive (3). Lack of family tickets as for other states further restricts public transport use as a choice (4)."

"Concession public transport travel should be afforded to all health care card holders, this is done in all states except Queensland.  Queensland is fast becoming unaffordable for many."

"Messing around with journey caps as has been recently implemented doesn't address the fundamental structural failure of the present fare table."

"It is time for the Queensland Government to actually implement the ' passenger focussed ' rhetoric."   

References:

1. http://translink.com.au/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/2011-12-quarterly-report-jan-to-mar.pdf

2. http://translink.com.au/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/2012-q1-passenger-load-survey.pdf

3. 1 Jul 2012: SEQ: Reduce or eliminate the fare 'flag-fall'  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8673.0

4. 8th July 2012 Lack of family ticket arrangements public transport in Queensland  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2006.msg103684#msg103684

Contact:

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

[STB]

It's quite obvious after that heated debate (that seems to be still going on), is mostly around price.  There also seems to be quite a lot of misinformed passengers thinking that QR handles the fares, which is neither here nor there as during that debate, they didn't really care who handled the fares they just wanted it 'fixed'.

Just for trivia, with over 600 comments, and nearly 7,000 likes that is the most responded comment that has been posted on the Queensland Rail Facebook page, outstripping by a long shot of that other guy who got upset over cancelled services (329 likes; 95 responses).

[STB]

We're now up to 710 comments and 7,677 likes, and it's still going!

[Golliwog]

We're now up to 710 comments and 7,677 likes, and it's still going!

9855 likes and 834 comments now!

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
16/08/2012

Free go card trips top 1 million

go cards user have celebrated the 1 millionth free trip, just seven weeks since the Newman Government introduced free travel after nine weekly journeys.

Transport and Main Road Minister Scott Emerson said the free travel had already saved passengers $3 million as the LNP continued to target the record low public transport affordability that plagued Labor.

"The number of free trips a week has almost doubled since June 25 to 200,000 last week which shows Queenslanders want cost of living savings," Mr Emerson said.

"Labor's three consecutive 15 per cent annual fare hikes plunged affordability for train travel below 50 per cent for the first time ever between January and March and again between April and June.

"In a clear sign of dissatisfaction with the fare hikes, passengers voted with their feet, recording just 178.3 million trips for the 2011/12 financial year - the lowest patronage figure since 2008.

"While the population of South-East Queensland has continued to grow, it is unforgivable that public transport use has been allowed to continue to decline.

"Labor seemed blissfully unaware of the impact their fare policy was having on passengers, falling almost eight million short of their budget target of 186 million trips in 2011/12."

Compared to the 2011/12 budget, train trips were 2.3 million down, bus trips were 5 million down and ferry trips were down 400,000.

Over the past four years public transport patronage was 181.9 million (2008/9), 181.8 million (2009/10), 178.6 million (2010/11) and 178.3 million (2011/12).

"For more commuters to choose public transport, we need to make it more affordable, but passengers also need to have confidence in the reliability of services," Mr Emerson said.

"In addition to this, the third plank of the LNP's plan to get more people on to public transport will be to improve frequency.

"We are working on delivering more buses to where they are needed as part of our bus review, and 15 minute day-time train services on the Ferny Grove line as part of our six month action plan."

[ozbob]

Delusional ...

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

16th August 2012

Government and TransLink Delusional

Greetings,

According to the Courier Mail High public transport fares drive us onto roads http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/high-public-transport-fares-drive-us-onto-roads/story-fndo1yus-1226451259430

'But Mr Emerson said he had reviewed fares while in opposition and no further reviews were planned.'

We would like to remind you all that the LNP during the election campaign made this committment: '
LNP to review ticket prices  http://www.qt.com.au/story/2012/03/09/lnp-offers-free-travel-in-ticket-price-review/

'THE LNP has promised to review the ticket pricing policy of public transport.

Speaking outside the Ipswich train station, the LNP shadow public transport minister Scott Emerson said if elected to government the LNP would give commuters free trips after taking nine journeys.

Currently the State Government offers a free trip after 10 journeys.

"We've announced our nine journeys as a first step and we've committed to reviewing fares going forward," Mr Emerson said. " '

Fare affordability is a major issue.

The family/group ticketing is also missing in Queensland.

A failure to extend concession travel to all health care card holders in Queensland as for other states is also very mean spirited.

The Government and TransLink are delusional to think that the public is going to accept further fare increases, on top of the past 65% over the past 4 years, with a further 7.5% increase for the next two years.  7.5% is 6 times the CPI.,  Public transport on the TransLink network is poorly integrated, has poor frequency and is now the dearest for the worst in Australia.

Again we call for an immediate review of the fare structure and affordability.  The nine journey cap is a massive rort and is simply not sustainable, it is driving these obscene fare increases.

Best wishes
Robert

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

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

Media release 10 July 2012 re-released 16 August 2012

SEQ: Call for review of fare structure for public transport

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 called for an immediate review of the fare structure for public transport in south-east Queensland.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The latest TransLink Tracker has confirmed that fare affordability is at an all time low (1). The Passenger load survey shows a similar dim picture (2).  Patronage growth is now stunted, with flow on effects for traffic congestion, environmental impacts and trauma costs."

"Further planned fare increases of 7.5% for 2013 and 2014 will just further compound the present unaffordability."

"The fare structure as it is a failure.  Cost of short journeys is relatively too expensive (3). Lack of family tickets as for other states further restricts public transport use as a choice (4)."

"Concession public transport travel should be afforded to all health care card holders, this is done in all states except Queensland.  Queensland is fast becoming unaffordable for many."

"Messing around with journey caps as has been recently implemented doesn't address the fundamental structural failure of the present fare table."

"It is time for the Queensland Government to actually implement the ' passenger focussed ' rhetoric."   

References:

1. http://translink.com.au/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/2011-12-quarterly-report-jan-to-mar.pdf

2. http://translink.com.au/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/2012-q1-passenger-load-survey.pdf

3. 1 Jul 2012: SEQ: Reduce or eliminate the fare 'flag-fall'  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8673.0

4. 8th July 2012 Lack of family ticket arrangements public transport in Queensland  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2006.msg103684#msg103684

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

From the Brisbane mX 22 August 2012 page 1

Just the ticket

[somebody]

What napkin was the $9million p.a. budget written on?

Fares are a tad over $300 million p.a.  One would expect it to be closer to a $30 million cost.

[somebody]

Stating that putting a periodical on a myki is no problem is not reason to get frothy.

For the record, I still say that it is a reason to get frothy.  Derwan's poll showed that over 80% do not want to have to select a periodical.

[Fares_Fair]

Stating that putting a periodical on a myki is no problem is not reason to get frothy.

For the record, I still say that it is a reason to get frothy.  Derwan's poll showed that over 80% do not want to have to select a periodical.

The poll was over 80% of the 22 participants from this forum.
Not necessarily an accurate sample of the general population IMO, but I could be wrong since I have no other data to compare.

[Gazza]

A loadable periodical has no advantages over an equivalent cap, and a number of disadvantages.

[somebody]

The poll was over 80% of the 22 participants from this forum.
Not necessarily an accurate sample of the general population IMO, but I could be wrong since I have no other data to compare.

As I've said before, people may say that they want a loadable periodical but I would say that in most cases they really mean "a cheaper ticket".  If the periodical would result in them paying the same or more, watch them change their tune.

A loadable periodical has no advantages over an equivalent cap, and a number of disadvantages.

Correct.  One disadvantage is that increases the degree that PT competes with walking, same with the 100% FUD.

[Fares_Fair]

The poll was over 80% of the 22 participants from this forum.
Not necessarily an accurate sample of the general population IMO, but I could be wrong since I have no other data to compare.

As I've said before, people may say that they want a loadable periodical but I would say that in most cases they really mean "a cheaper ticket".  If the periodical would result in them paying the same or more, watch them change their tune.

A loadable periodical has no advantages over an equivalent cap, and a number of disadvantages.

Correct.  One disadvantage is that increases the degree that PT competes with walking, same with the 100% FUD.

That's probably a fair comment Simon.

[somebody]

I made two comments.  I presume you are referring to both of them.

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail 15th October 2012 page 4

Free trips lift numbers

[ozbob]

Oh dear, not good ...  this means a real and significant fall in the fare box, and a relative fall in patronage ... not anywhere near population growth ...

[ozbob]

http://www.scottemerson.com.au/media-releases/public-transport-patronage-on-the-increase.html

Public transport patronage on the increase

Monday, 15 October 2012 05:03

The Newman Government's focus on improving the frequency, reliability and affordability of south east Queensland's transport network has increased patronage after years of decline under Labor.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said the figures for the three month quarter from July to September showed an increase of 640,000 trips on public transport, compared to the same period the previous year.

"In the July-September quarter, there were 47.13 million trips on public transport across south east Queensland – up from 46.51 million the previous year," Mr Emerson.

"Under Labor, annual patronage had decreased every year for the last four years – hitting 178.3 million in 2011-12.

"That was almost 8 million less than Labor forecast in its last budget.

"I said from my first days as Minister that one of my biggest challenges would be to try to reverse the appalling decline in public transport usage under the previous government.

"This increase of almost 1.4 per cent is an encouraging start but there is a lot of work yet to be done.

"People have started to return to public transport in the weeks after the LNP delivered its election commitment for free travel after nine journeys in a week as well as more than 2,000 additional weekly bus services and improvements to reliability."

Mr Emerson said recent announcements had also boosted patronage.

"Last month we announced a record public transport budget of $1.6 billion with more than $200 million in cost-of-living fare savings for families – including halving Labor's planned fare increases.

"Earlier this month we boosted frequency by launching 15-minute off-peak weekday services on the Ferny Grove rail line.

"These new figures are the first green shoots of growth from passengers after four years of declining patronage under Labor, and I'm looking forward to even better results in the future."

[ozbob]

Where is the Q4 2011/12 TransLink Tracker?

[techblitz]

"People have started to return to public transport in the weeks after the LNP delivered its election commitment for free travel after nine journeys in a week as well as more than 2,000 additional weekly bus services and improvements to reliability."


woop woop

like i said he will be 'spruiking' this come january 1

[ozbob]

Yep, crazy spin +50,000 per week -  200,000 free per week = net reduction of 150,000 paid trips per week.

Be nice to see the real data, particularly in this era of transparency and enlightenment ...