Anger at translink hikes leading to fare-evasion

Date
    January 11, 2014


Some Brisbane public transport users have confessed to fare evasion due to skyrocketing Translink prices.   

An online petition requesting an urgent Queensland government review of the state's fare structure attracted nearly 2000 signatures in just more than 24 hours after it was posted on Wednesday and sparked a flood of complaints.

The site has become a forum for dissatisfied commuters and former commuters to vent their frustration at the high cost of public transport.

The vast majority of commenters say they want to catch public transport but that driving to work and parking remained the more economically viable option.


"Its affecting my ability to save for a house," one commenter wrote.    

"If I drive to work its currently $4.17 cheaper than public transport. The government wants to keep the bulk of vehicles out of the city, why would you increase public transport costs."      

However, some said they don't have that option.

"Because I don't drive. I am reliant on public transport and find it prohibitively expensive when travelling to and from work each day / five days a week. It costs approximately $80 a fortnight just for Monday to Friday. It is absolutely outrageous," another commuter posted.

Brisbane transport blogger Briz Commuter recently published an analysis of urban public transport fares worldwide that shows Brisbane ranks as the fifth most expensive city for a five kilometre trip to the CBD.

As of Monday, single-trip, peak trips in one zone with a Go card cost $3.53, while the same journey with a paper ticket costs $5.20.

On the petition forum, many alluded to fare evasion, while others stated it outright.

"I can't afford to continue to use the trains and thus regularly don't pay. I know I am not alone in this," said one man.

Petition organiser Josh Donellan said when six trips in one day in the inner city can cost up to $30, urgent action needed to be taken.

"People are getting really angry about it," he said.

"For me I use public transport as much as I can but in terms of broader issues, people on low incomes are getting no concessions, its difficult for for families without cars and some students can't afford to go to classes at uni.         

"Some people are being forced to fare evade."      

Mr Donnellan said the key measures that could ease the pressure on commuters were the introduction of daily and monthly tickets, concession fares for low income earners and a review of the zoning system.

Following the implementation of the fare hike on Monday, a spokesman for transport minister Scott Emerson said 200 extra train services would begin on southeast Queensland's rail network on January 20 and fares would be subject to review.

"We'll continue to improve public transport affordability ... and find further savings before making a decision on future fare changes," he said.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/anger-at-translink-hikes-leading-to-fareevasion-20140110-30mtd.html#ixzz2q23K1x9j

Quote:




does that old chestnut still work...

cods wrote on Jan 11^th, 2014 at 7:29am:


We do know that it was cheaper to travel on public transport under the previous govt...So what happened to bringing the cost of living down?
Lets face it...Newman is a liar

Either way, Brisbane's public transport costs are ridiculous.

Stratos wrote on Jan 11^th, 2014 at 8:47am:



its world wide stratos.....but we whinge the loudest...

if you want something and you use something.. then you pay for it..you see it wouldnt matter what it is it still need maintaining it still needs upgrading all the time...

I know and you know.. we have far to BIG A BUREAUCRACY,

but as ABbott tries his best to whittle that down who does the most whinging??


thats right crook...

The Heartless Felon wrote on Jan 11^th, 2014 at 8:51am:

That is still three times the rate of inflation. Fare affordability is therefore getting worse under Newman, not better.

The Heartless Felon wrote on Jan 11^th, 2014 at 8:51am:

bump   

The Heartless Felon wrote on Jan 11^th, 2014 at 12:41pm:

You're whining like a small child. "But whine waah ... "

The Newman government have endorsed Labor's fare increases by keeping them in place. The argument that Labor increased the fares as well is irrelevant because Labor's not in government. Newman's government is. The Newman government have retained ALL of these fare increases AND imposed their own 7.5% increases.

The 15% argument might have had some weight if all of Labor's fare increases were removed. They weren't. Newman's part may have been dismissed if he only increased fares at no more than the inflation rate. He's not.

Face the facts. Fares are MORE expensive now in real terms than at any time during the previous Labor government, and are set to increase in real terms every year.