How strange that Lonely Planet should award Brisbane their 'hippest city in Australia' award when the public transport is not only extremely expensive, but confusing and infrequent.
Here is our table of shame for January 2014. It shows just how badly Translink compares to the other state capitals. Feel free to print it out and put it on the work fridge or notice board.
Oh, and Darwin is $3 for 3 hours, over a very wide area; $7 all day and $20/week. $1 / 3 hours for HCC holders from anywhere (unlike Victoria or SA or WA). http://www.transport.nt.gov.au/public/ticket-fares-concessions-and-free-travel
ReplyDeleteI like websites that draw attention to rip offs. What I hate though is sensationalism in a story that is based on not one fact. I read the above table and yes the prices appear high but to say we have "the most expensive city in the developed world for catching public transport" is a blatant lie. I researched a simple nine minute trip in London (which I am assuming is in the developed world still) costing the equivalent of $9.40. How is that cheaper than Translink for the same trip say from South Bank to the Valley? It isn't. Please get your facts right and do the research. You lose all credibility when you print something that is a lie and meant to make people think we are being ripped off. Get a go card and the trip will be cheaper.
ReplyDeleteNow who's being misleading? I checked the facts for myself and sure London cheapest cash ticket is $8.79 but it gets you anywhere in one direction, not limited to the single zone like Brisbane. Plus you can get day passes cheaply and the oyster card is much much cheaper than our go card. Do the research. Translink is a rip, my Aunty has caught the train for years but it is now cheaper for her to drive everyday and pay for exorbitant parking prices including on-road costs. Do the math
ReplyDeleteTranslink is expensive if you buy a paper ticket...... however who buys a paper ticket? Secondly you can use your ticket to say start a chermside go to the city and get back to chermside, you just can't use it on the same route or line you bought it on.... so buy it from a ticket machine! Also how many people do several one zone trips travelling one stop during the day with their go card to rack up their 9 trips quick so they travel for FREE the rest of the week! I do agree we have expensive public transportation. But where are solutions to the problems faced? All I see are complaints!
ReplyDeleteTypo nightmare, sorry about that!
DeleteHey Ben, We think it's up to Translink to create solutions and we think the public have every right to complain loudly. We are constantly sharing content that demonstrates just how unfair the system is. We lobby on behalf of low income earners and commuters in general. If you have a look around our blog and Facebook page you'll see our posts with REAL zone maps and tips to saving money using go card loop holes. You'll also see that we go out there and talk to real people. And we have a supportive relationships with the Queensland Council of Social Services who published our first ever table of shame.
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