Commuters say they're sick of fare increases
IPSWICH public transport users have called for a ticket price cut as the Newman Government goes ahead with a fare hike in the new year.
Public transport advocacy group Rail Back on Track released the results of its annual passenger survey, with fare affordability the pressing issue on most commuters' minds.
Of the surveyed 315 respondents, 69% rated Translink's fares as expensive.
Translink fares are set to rise by 7.5% in January, half of the original hike planned by the previous Labor Government.
Spokesman Robert Dow said over the past five years, fares under the Labor and LNP governments had increased 72.5%.
Mr Dow is calling for the government to order a fare review, and has just under 600 signatures on a petition to back his push.
"What it shows is that fare affordability has worsened in the last year going against what both governments have been saying," he said.
"The government needs to encourage a fare structure that gets commuters on to the public transport system."
A spokesperson for the Minister for Transport and Main Roads Scott Emerson said the LNP would deliver the fare policy it took to the election.
"We are committed to improving affordability after it hit its lowest point ever in the final months under Labor," the spokesman said.
"This $200 million investment over four years will provide free travel after nine weekly journeys, introduced in June, and halve Labor's 15% fare hikes in 2013 and 2014.
"When compared to the scheduled hikes, the LNP policies will save a regular commuter travelling two zones about $115 a year or $216 a year for a regular commuter from Ipswich to Brisbane."
The spokesman said while the Newman Government would like to do more in terms of fare relief, their priority would be to improve the state's finances.
TRACK FACTS
- 53% rated travelling by rail as satisfactory or better.
- 36.5% said rail frequency poor or worse.
- More than 60% of respondents said the Go Card system was satisfactory or better.
