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One million go cards and climbing

The one millionth go card went into circulation yesterday as the Queensland Government began a massive 400,000 go card giveaway

June 29, 2010

The one millionth go card went into circulation yesterday as the Queensland Government began a massive 400,000 go card giveaway.

Premier Anna Bligh and Transport Minister Rachel Nolan were at Raby Bay’s Harbour Park for the first of 10 giveaway promotional events.

Bligh says the free cards will be available at community events, online and through a number of local daily and weekly newspapers through the month of July.

“A form to apply for a free go card loaded with $10 credit will be inserted in Thursday’s Courier Mail,” she says.

“This form will also be inserted in Quest papers from Tuesday to Thursday and in the Gold Coast Bulletin, Sunshine Coast Daily and Queensland Times on Thursday.

“We want people to make the switch from paper tickets and this giveaway is aimed at making it easy for everyone to get on board.

“Go card users board vehicles faster and they travel and transfer between modes more easily.

“That means it helps us improve services for commuters across the network. So the more people that use go card, the better we get.”

Bligh says the giveaway coincides with the milestone of one million go cards being issued in Queensland.

“This is an incredible milestone, just two years after the integrated travel system was rolled out across one of the largest geographical public transport networks in the world,” she says.

“Up to 370,000 cards will be distributed from today in addition to the 30,000 cards allocated via special go ready sessions for seniors and pensioners.”

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan says that as more people took to using the go card commuters across the network benefited.

“There were 23.6 million go card trips between January and March 2010 which is more than double the trips for the same quarter last year,” she says.

“In that same period there were 315,000 cards issued and today almost two-thirds of all daily bus, train and ferry trips across the TransLink network are taken using a go card.”

Those wanting to take advantage of the offer should visit the dedicated website to find out details of how to apply for a free go card.

“The new website can be accessed from the TransLink website www.translink.com.au and people will be able to apply online for their go cards from today [Monday, June 28],” says Nolan.

“There will also be a link for new customers to identify which go card type is right for them, and a video presentation educating them on how to touch on and touch off using their new go card.”

Those interested in getting on board can also visit one of 10 community events held across South East Queensland, including:

Monday, June 28 – Robina Town Centre (near David Jones) and Raby Bay Harbour Park

Tuesday, June 29 – Westfield North Lakes (near Aldi)

Wednesday, June 30 – Indooroopilly Shopping Centre (near Medicare) and Ipswich City Square

Thursday, July 1 – Grand Plaza Browns Plains (near Coles)

Friday, July 2 – Kawana Shopping World (near Woolworths)

Saturday, July 3 – Westfield Carindale (Centre Court)

Sunday, July 4 – Reddacliffe Place (Brisbane Square, opposite Treasury Casino) and Westfield Chermside (near cinemas).

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