Drive For Fare Price
Newcastle Herald
Saturday May 10, 2008
AN integrated ticket system to cover all forms of public transport should be introduced in the Hunter and some fares should be priced to reflect the lesser availability of services compared to Sydney, a transport group says.
The Lower Hunter Councils Transport Group has made the recommendations to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal's review of CityRail fare regulations.The group's submission said focusing on increasing patronage was a more effective way for transport providers to boost revenue than simply seeking to raise fares.It said most Hunter services had spare capacity, but there was virtually no marketing of public transport in the region despite rising petrol prices and the high incidence of obesity providing a prime opportunity.A simpler fare system could also attract patrons, and a zone system covering the Hunter's four main urban areas was one option.While the State Government's efforts to deliver a transport smart card to Sydney failed, the group said the Hunter needed its own integrated ticket system to make public transport more attractive.Group chairman Ken Freeston said the zone approach, along the lines of the London Transport Network, would reduce the inconvenience and cost to passengers of using both buses and trains.Single trip and all-day tickets in each zone would be priced to suit marketability in the Hunter.The existing Pink and Yellow TravelPasses, which permit travel on Newcastle Buses and Ferries and parts of the CityRail network, cost the same as Sydney's TravelPasses.The group said the Hunter's passes should be priced separately to Sydney's to reflect the significant difference in services available in the region.
© 2008 Newcastle Herald
