❓ The Minister addresses concerns about the Multi Rider program, stating it will be replaced by a Smartcard system in late 2004/early 2005. The response outlines the benefits of the Smartcard system and future fare considerations, including affordability and potential new fare structures.
AnsweredQoN 1388Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(b) if so, will the Minister outline exactly how this program will operate, and what benefits it will bring to the individuals and organisations involved; (c) what funding implications are there for Government in this proposal; and (d) if no action has been taken on this matter, will the Minister explain what was intended by this statement, and why no action has been taken to fulfil the commitment?
(c) what funding implications are there for Government in this proposal; and (d) if no action has been taken on this matter, will the Minister explain what was intended by this statement, and why no action has been taken to fulfil the commitment?
(d) if no action has been taken on this matter, will the Minister explain what was intended by this statement, and why no action has been taken to fulfil the commitment?
The current range of Multi Riders, that is the ten rider and the 40 rider, offer discounts of 15% and 25% respectively against the cash fare. This Government has maintained its commitment to only increase standard fares at Consumer Price Index rates and has frozen concession fares. This ensures that fares, and particularly Multi Rider fares, remain particularly affordable to the public. The Smartcard system, as evidenced in other cities where Smartcards exist, will provide a great deal more flexibility in terms of the fares packages that can be offered to passengers. The Government’s commitment to fund the long overdue transition to this new technology will make it simpler to introduce new payment structures, such as those proposed. The Government will introduce and allow time for the settling down of the new Smartcard system before considering and introducing significant changes to the current fares regime. To attempt to introduce both at the same time would risk causing unnecessary confusion to some public transport users. In any new fares regime considered for introduction after Smartcard is introduced, the focus will remain on ensuring public transport fares remain affordable. Time based fare arrangements such as a monthly or annual fare would be more practical under Smartcard. It may also permit some form of “loyalty” program for frequent travellers and users of the Smartcard. It would be possible to have a variety of time based or organisational based fare arrangements. I am aware in some cities with Smartcards that billing arrangements exist between employers and the public transport service provider so that all employee travel on public transport is paid for by the employer. One of the associated issues that needs to be addressed in order to make this option attractive is to change Fringe Benefit Tax arrangements so that employer sponsored public transport becomes more attractive. The DPI has pursued this matter on a number of occasions with Federal counterparts and this will continue to be pursued.
The Smartcard system, as evidenced in other cities where Smartcards exist, will provide a great deal more flexibility in terms of the fares packages that can be offered to passengers. The Government’s commitment to fund the long overdue transition to this new technology will make it simpler to introduce new payment structures, such as those proposed. The Government will introduce and allow time for the settling down of the new Smartcard system before considering and introducing significant changes to the current fares regime. To attempt to introduce both at the same time would risk causing unnecessary confusion to some public transport users. In any new fares regime considered for introduction after Smartcard is introduced, the focus will remain on ensuring public transport fares remain affordable. Time based fare arrangements such as a monthly or annual fare would be more practical under Smartcard. It may also permit some form of “loyalty” program for frequent travellers and users of the Smartcard. It would be possible to have a variety of time based or organisational based fare arrangements. I am aware in some cities with Smartcards that billing arrangements exist between employers and the public transport service provider so that all employee travel on public transport is paid for by the employer. One of the associated issues that needs to be addressed in order to make this option attractive is to change Fringe Benefit Tax arrangements so that employer sponsored public transport becomes more attractive. The DPI has pursued this matter on a number of occasions with Federal counterparts and this will continue to be pursued.
The Government will introduce and allow time for the settling down of the new Smartcard system before considering and introducing significant changes to the current fares regime. To attempt to introduce both at the same time would risk causing unnecessary confusion to some public transport users. In any new fares regime considered for introduction after Smartcard is introduced, the focus will remain on ensuring public transport fares remain affordable. Time based fare arrangements such as a monthly or annual fare would be more practical under Smartcard. It may also permit some form of “loyalty” program for frequent travellers and users of the Smartcard. It would be possible to have a variety of time based or organisational based fare arrangements. I am aware in some cities with Smartcards that billing arrangements exist between employers and the public transport service provider so that all employee travel on public transport is paid for by the employer. One of the associated issues that needs to be addressed in order to make this option attractive is to change Fringe Benefit Tax arrangements so that employer sponsored public transport becomes more attractive. The DPI has pursued this matter on a number of occasions with Federal counterparts and this will continue to be pursued.
It would be possible to have a variety of time based or organisational based fare arrangements. I am aware in some cities with Smartcards that billing arrangements exist between employers and the public transport service provider so that all employee travel on public transport is paid for by the employer. One of the associated issues that needs to be addressed in order to make this option attractive is to change Fringe Benefit Tax arrangements so that employer sponsored public transport becomes more attractive. The DPI has pursued this matter on a number of occasions with Federal counterparts and this will continue to be pursued.
(c) what funding implications are there for Government in this proposal; and (d) if no action has been taken on this matter, will the Minister explain what was intended by this statement, and why no action has been taken to fulfil the commitment?
(d) if no action has been taken on this matter, will the Minister explain what was intended by this statement, and why no action has been taken to fulfil the commitment?
The current range of Multi Riders, that is the ten rider and the 40 rider, offer discounts of 15% and 25% respectively against the cash fare. This Government has maintained its commitment to only increase standard fares at Consumer Price Index rates and has frozen concession fares. This ensures that fares, and particularly Multi Rider fares, remain particularly affordable to the public. The Smartcard system, as evidenced in other cities where Smartcards exist, will provide a great deal more flexibility in terms of the fares packages that can be offered to passengers. The Government’s commitment to fund the long overdue transition to this new technology will make it simpler to introduce new payment structures, such as those proposed. The Government will introduce and allow time for the settling down of the new Smartcard system before considering and introducing significant changes to the current fares regime. To attempt to introduce both at the same time would risk causing unnecessary confusion to some public transport users. In any new fares regime considered for introduction after Smartcard is introduced, the focus will remain on ensuring public transport fares remain affordable. Time based fare arrangements such as a monthly or annual fare would be more practical under Smartcard. It may also permit some form of “loyalty” program for frequent travellers and users of the Smartcard. It would be possible to have a variety of time based or organisational based fare arrangements. I am aware in some cities with Smartcards that billing arrangements exist between employers and the public transport service provider so that all employee travel on public transport is paid for by the employer. One of the associated issues that needs to be addressed in order to make this option attractive is to change Fringe Benefit Tax arrangements so that employer sponsored public transport becomes more attractive. The DPI has pursued this matter on a number of occasions with Federal counterparts and this will continue to be pursued.
The Smartcard system, as evidenced in other cities where Smartcards exist, will provide a great deal more flexibility in terms of the fares packages that can be offered to passengers. The Government’s commitment to fund the long overdue transition to this new technology will make it simpler to introduce new payment structures, such as those proposed. The Government will introduce and allow time for the settling down of the new Smartcard system before considering and introducing significant changes to the current fares regime. To attempt to introduce both at the same time would risk causing unnecessary confusion to some public transport users. In any new fares regime considered for introduction after Smartcard is introduced, the focus will remain on ensuring public transport fares remain affordable. Time based fare arrangements such as a monthly or annual fare would be more practical under Smartcard. It may also permit some form of “loyalty” program for frequent travellers and users of the Smartcard. It would be possible to have a variety of time based or organisational based fare arrangements. I am aware in some cities with Smartcards that billing arrangements exist between employers and the public transport service provider so that all employee travel on public transport is paid for by the employer. One of the associated issues that needs to be addressed in order to make this option attractive is to change Fringe Benefit Tax arrangements so that employer sponsored public transport becomes more attractive. The DPI has pursued this matter on a number of occasions with Federal counterparts and this will continue to be pursued.
The Government will introduce and allow time for the settling down of the new Smartcard system before considering and introducing significant changes to the current fares regime. To attempt to introduce both at the same time would risk causing unnecessary confusion to some public transport users. In any new fares regime considered for introduction after Smartcard is introduced, the focus will remain on ensuring public transport fares remain affordable. Time based fare arrangements such as a monthly or annual fare would be more practical under Smartcard. It may also permit some form of “loyalty” program for frequent travellers and users of the Smartcard. It would be possible to have a variety of time based or organisational based fare arrangements. I am aware in some cities with Smartcards that billing arrangements exist between employers and the public transport service provider so that all employee travel on public transport is paid for by the employer. One of the associated issues that needs to be addressed in order to make this option attractive is to change Fringe Benefit Tax arrangements so that employer sponsored public transport becomes more attractive. The DPI has pursued this matter on a number of occasions with Federal counterparts and this will continue to be pursued.
It would be possible to have a variety of time based or organisational based fare arrangements. I am aware in some cities with Smartcards that billing arrangements exist between employers and the public transport service provider so that all employee travel on public transport is paid for by the employer. One of the associated issues that needs to be addressed in order to make this option attractive is to change Fringe Benefit Tax arrangements so that employer sponsored public transport becomes more attractive. The DPI has pursued this matter on a number of occasions with Federal counterparts and this will continue to be pursued.
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 August 2003
Responded by
Minister for Planning and Infrastructure
Response time
118 days
(a) – (d) The existing system of Multi Rider passes is soon to be replaced by the introduction of a new Smartcard ticketing system, and I am advised that the current program for introduction of the Smartcard system in late 2004 or early 2005 is on schedule.
The current range of Multi Riders, that is the ten rider and the 40 rider, offer discounts of 15% and 25% respectively against the cash fare. This Government has maintained its commitment to only increase standard fares at Consumer Price Index rates and has frozen concession fares. This ensures that fares, and particularly Multi Rider fares, remain particularly affordable to the public.
The Smartcard system, as evidenced in other cities where Smartcards exist, will provide a great deal more flexibility in terms of the fares packages that can be offered to passengers. The Government’s commitment to fund the long overdue transition to this new technology will make it simpler to introduce new payment structures, such as those proposed.
The Government will introduce and allow time for the settling down of the new Smartcard system before considering and introducing significant changes to the current fares regime. To attempt to introduce both at the same time would risk causing unnecessary confusion to some public transport users.
In any new fares regime considered for introduction after Smartcard is introduced, the focus will remain on ensuring public transport fares remain affordable. Time based fare arrangements such as a monthly or annual fare would be more practical under Smartcard. It may also permit some form of “loyalty” program for frequent travellers and users of the Smartcard.
It would be possible to have a variety of time based or organisational based fare arrangements. I am aware in some cities with Smartcards that billing arrangements exist between employers and the public transport service provider so that all employee travel on public transport is paid for by the employer. One of the associated issues that needs to be addressed in order to make this option attractive is to change Fringe Benefit Tax arrangements so that employer sponsored public transport becomes more attractive. The DPI has pursued this matter on a number of occasions with Federal counterparts and this will continue to be pursued.
The current range of Multi Riders, that is the ten rider and the 40 rider, offer discounts of 15% and 25% respectively against the cash fare. This Government has maintained its commitment to only increase standard fares at Consumer Price Index rates and has frozen concession fares. This ensures that fares, and particularly Multi Rider fares, remain particularly affordable to the public.
The Smartcard system, as evidenced in other cities where Smartcards exist, will provide a great deal more flexibility in terms of the fares packages that can be offered to passengers. The Government’s commitment to fund the long overdue transition to this new technology will make it simpler to introduce new payment structures, such as those proposed.
The Government will introduce and allow time for the settling down of the new Smartcard system before considering and introducing significant changes to the current fares regime. To attempt to introduce both at the same time would risk causing unnecessary confusion to some public transport users.
In any new fares regime considered for introduction after Smartcard is introduced, the focus will remain on ensuring public transport fares remain affordable. Time based fare arrangements such as a monthly or annual fare would be more practical under Smartcard. It may also permit some form of “loyalty” program for frequent travellers and users of the Smartcard.
It would be possible to have a variety of time based or organisational based fare arrangements. I am aware in some cities with Smartcards that billing arrangements exist between employers and the public transport service provider so that all employee travel on public transport is paid for by the employer. One of the associated issues that needs to be addressed in order to make this option attractive is to change Fringe Benefit Tax arrangements so that employer sponsored public transport becomes more attractive. The DPI has pursued this matter on a number of occasions with Federal counterparts and this will continue to be pursued.
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