The Queensland Government’s Go Card system continues to cause problems for the State's Transport Minister
April 9, 2013
Problems withTranslink’s Go Card initiative continue to
surface for
Transport Minister Scott Emerson, who has tabled a petition criticising a lack of Brisbane Go Card facilities, and announced an investigation into illegal use of Go Cards, in the past two days alone.
More than 800 petitioners have requested
that government
let more newsagencies at Ferny Grove provide Go Card top ups, registration and refunds, due to ‘restrictive access to facilities outside of trains stations for the purchase of Go Cards’.
Emerson tabled the petition yesterday, but took a raincheck on allowing more newsagencies Go Card capabilities.
“Translink has noted the requests of the petitioner for future consideration, however, these areas are not currently prioritised for the installation of additional full service retail-based Go Card facilities, given the high costs of installing Go Card equipment and the current outlets in the area,” Emerson says.
However, Emerson says government is currently investigating whether a third party network can be used for Go Card recharges.
“This could potentially provide a lower cost option for government and increase the number of retail outlets available for public transport users, however, a number of compatibility and security issues will need to be resolved before this can occur,” he says.
Following the statement yesterday, Emerson today announced government is also investigating the illegal use of Go Cards on long-distance and Airtrain travel.
Emerson says research shows more than 1,000 people a month may be misusing Go Cards on the Airtrain.
Emerson says Translink data collected in October 2012 shows 1,095 passengers
have gone
into negative balance when they touched off on Airtrain services
and failed to repay the balance in the past six months.
Emerson says Translink is conducting further research into the loophole across the network, particularly on Airtrain travel, which costs at least $16
per trip.
Translink will submit options to tackle the loophole in the coming months.
Problems with Translink’s bus network review also continue to surface, despite Emerson handing over final responsibility for the review to Brisbane City Council recently.
Emerson tabled a petition signed by 801 petitioners, requesting closure plans be scrapped for the following bus services: 220 Wynnum to City; 225 Wynnum to Carindale; 240 Capalaba to Wynnum; city express 214 Cannon Hill to city, and 232 Cannon Hill to city.