go card - easy come, easy go

Public transport users are showing what they think of the go card in the only way that counts – by switching to go card.

Minister for Transport John Mickel today noted a sharp increase in go card users while unveiling a comprehensive education and awareness campaign for the quick, convenient and cashless ticketing system.

“South East Queenslanders are leading the way in embracing this new technology and we have already achieved our mid 2009 target for the number of go cards being used,” Mr Mickel said.

“The go card is a great success, with take up rates well ahead of what we expected, however we want all commuters to enjoy the benefits the card offers.

“We recognise that there are still some public transport users who are not comfortable with the new technology which is why we are embarking on this new education campaign.

“Our aim is to educate new users about the new technology, dispelling the myths and to demonstrate how the go card is a truly integrated, flexible ticket – allowing seamless travel across bus, train and ferry services on the TransLink network.”

Mr Mickel said since the new go card fare structure was introduced on August 4 this year, go card users have been saving between 20 and 35 per cent whenever they travel on a TransLink bus, train and ferry services.

“The new fare structure is proving to be a winner with public transport users and the go card milestones just keep coming,” Mr Mickel said.

“On the Friday before the new fare structure was introduced, 52,700 journeys were made using a go card.

“Since then, that figure has more than doubled, with 125,000 journeys made on Thursday, representing the highest number of journeys made on a day since the go card was introduced.

“During the same time period, the total number of go cards in circulation jumped from 97,000 to 194,000, more than doubling.”

Mr Mickel said more than $31 million has been loaded on to the cards and more than 10 million journeys have been undertaken since the system’s debut early this year.

“The figures prove the go card system is strong and is continuing to grow,” Mr Mickel said.

“South East Queensland is just the second Australian public transport system to successfully roll out this technology and it is by far the largest network.

“In fact, the go card network covers more than 10, 000 square kilometres. This is six and a half times the size of London’s Oyster Card network.

“The go card puts the TransLink network at the forefront of public transport ticketing technology in Australia.”

“The go card makes using public transport quicker and easier, with passengers no longer needing to carry change or waste time queuing for tickets,” Mr Mickel said.

For further information about the go card, please visit www.translink.com.au/go or call 13 12 30, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

-Ends-

15^th November 2008

Media Contact: Jane Rowe 3237 1125 or 0409 588 302

As a part of the campaign, major billboards displaying the go card “whoosh” will be located in Darra (Ipswich Rd), Virginia (Sandgate Rd), Capalaba (Old Cleveland Rd), South Brisbane (cnr Stanley St and Annerley Rd) and on platforms at Central, Lawnton, Bundamba and Kingston railway stations.

Key Figures (as at 13th November 2008):

Total go cards in circulation: 194,000

Total number of journeys made on the go card: 11,510,000

Total amount loaded on go card: $31,460,000

Highest number of go card journeys made in one day: 125,000