A member of parliament questions the minister about the potential loss of public transport discounts under the new SmartRider system and a possible fare increase for daily commuters. The minister avoids a direct answer, highlighting the potential for fare reform and a focus on encouraging public transport use.

AnsweredQoN 654Legislative Assembly
Asked
26 October 2004
Portfolio
Planning and Infrastructure

QuestionView source ↗

I refer the minister to the MultiRider public transport fare system, which previously encouraged people to use public transport by providing a discount of up to 25 per cent on cash fares. (1) Will the minister confirm that under the new smart card system, which is currently being rolled out, this discount will no longer apply? (2) Is the minister aware that daily metropolitan passengers will now pay around $324 more a year for public transport under the Government’s new system? Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN

AnswerView source ↗

(1)-(2) I thank the member for the question. SmartRider is a system that offers the Government the ability to totally revolutionise the way in which fares are set. Currently, fares are set on a zone-by-zone basis. All sorts of inconsistencies occur as a result of that. We believe that under the SmartRider system we will be able to completely review the way in which fares will be set based on the distance a passenger travels rather than on the number of zones a passenger travels. We will certainly ensure that under the new system - we are working through the possibilities; no decisions have been made whatsoever - people will be encouraged in many ways to use public transport more regularly. Although we have great opportunities now for revolutionising the system, no decisions have been made. However, I assure the member that the fare structure we will put in place will be very much focused on getting even more people to use our public transport system.
(1) Will the minister confirm that under the new smart card system, which is currently being rolled out, this discount will no longer apply? (2) Is the minister aware that daily metropolitan passengers will now pay around $324 more a year for public transport under the Government’s new system? Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for the question. SmartRider is a system that offers the Government the ability to totally revolutionise the way in which fares are set. Currently, fares are set on a zone-by-zone basis. All sorts of inconsistencies occur as a result of that. We believe that under the SmartRider system we will be able to completely review the way in which fares will be set based on the distance a passenger travels rather than on the number of zones a passenger travels. We will certainly ensure that under the new system - we are working through the possibilities; no decisions have been made whatsoever - people will be encouraged in many ways to use public transport more regularly. Although we have great opportunities now for revolutionising the system, no decisions have been made. However, I assure the member that the fare structure we will put in place will be very much focused on getting even more people to use our public transport system.
(2) Is the minister aware that daily metropolitan passengers will now pay around $324 more a year for public transport under the Government’s new system? Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for the question. SmartRider is a system that offers the Government the ability to totally revolutionise the way in which fares are set. Currently, fares are set on a zone-by-zone basis. All sorts of inconsistencies occur as a result of that. We believe that under the SmartRider system we will be able to completely review the way in which fares will be set based on the distance a passenger travels rather than on the number of zones a passenger travels. We will certainly ensure that under the new system - we are working through the possibilities; no decisions have been made whatsoever - people will be encouraged in many ways to use public transport more regularly. Although we have great opportunities now for revolutionising the system, no decisions have been made. However, I assure the member that the fare structure we will put in place will be very much focused on getting even more people to use our public transport system.
Ms A.J. MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(2) I thank the member for the question. SmartRider is a system that offers the Government the ability to totally revolutionise the way in which fares are set. Currently, fares are set on a zone-by-zone basis. All sorts of inconsistencies occur as a result of that. We believe that under the SmartRider system we will be able to completely review the way in which fares will be set based on the distance a passenger travels rather than on the number of zones a passenger travels. We will certainly ensure that under the new system - we are working through the possibilities; no decisions have been made whatsoever - people will be encouraged in many ways to use public transport more regularly. Although we have great opportunities now for revolutionising the system, no decisions have been made. However, I assure the member that the fare structure we will put in place will be very much focused on getting even more people to use our public transport system.
(1)-(2) I thank the member for the question. SmartRider is a system that offers the Government the ability to totally revolutionise the way in which fares are set. Currently, fares are set on a zone-by-zone basis. All sorts of inconsistencies occur as a result of that. We believe that under the SmartRider system we will be able to completely review the way in which fares will be set based on the distance a passenger travels rather than on the number of zones a passenger travels. We will certainly ensure that under the new system - we are working through the possibilities; no decisions have been made whatsoever - people will be encouraged in many ways to use public transport more regularly. Although we have great opportunities now for revolutionising the system, no decisions have been made. However, I assure the member that the fare structure we will put in place will be very much focused on getting even more people to use our public transport system.

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