❓ Question regarding the decline in patronage on the Australind train and regional road coaches, and the Minister's plans to address this issue. The answer attributes the decline to factors like the Country Age Pension Fuel Card and outlines marketing and service initiatives to improve patronage.
AnsweredQoN 1925Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the drop in patronage on the Australind and regional road coaches, and I ask: (a) what is the reason for the 5.82 per cent fall in patronage on the Australind and 5.63 per cent fall on road coaches; and (b) what is the Minister doing to improve these services to encourage increased patronage?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
3 December 2014
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Transport
Response time
42 days
(a) Analysis of the Australind patronage shows that the majority of the 5.82 per cent decrease in patronage can be attributed to the fall in the carriage of 50 per cent fare paying passengers (health care card concession holders, pensioner concession holders, senior concession holders as well as children). A significant factor is the Country Age Pension Fuel Card in concert with the opening of the Forest Highway. Patronage across all Transwa services has declined over the last financial year and as outlined above.
(b) Transwa has actively marketed the Australind services within the Bunbury region with staff attendance at the Bunbury Senior Showcase and also by undertaking radio and cinema advertising. In light of the declining patronage, there has been a targeted emphasis on promoting the service to seniors and daily travellers. To increase the non-concession patronage, Transwa is planning to introduce a "privilege" card that provides a frequent user of the service with discounted travel. The privilege card is only planned to be available on the Australind and the AvonLink train services (commuter based services).
To increase road coach patronage, Transwa has recently introduced new initiatives with the Albany to Hopetoun (via Ravensthorpe) service and the Perth to Geraldton service (via the Indian Ocean Drive). These services have been implemented in the current financial year.
(b) Transwa has actively marketed the Australind services within the Bunbury region with staff attendance at the Bunbury Senior Showcase and also by undertaking radio and cinema advertising. In light of the declining patronage, there has been a targeted emphasis on promoting the service to seniors and daily travellers. To increase the non-concession patronage, Transwa is planning to introduce a "privilege" card that provides a frequent user of the service with discounted travel. The privilege card is only planned to be available on the Australind and the AvonLink train services (commuter based services).
To increase road coach patronage, Transwa has recently introduced new initiatives with the Albany to Hopetoun (via Ravensthorpe) service and the Perth to Geraldton service (via the Indian Ocean Drive). These services have been implemented in the current financial year.
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