Public transport fare rises again kept within inflation rate
04/04/2008
Overall public transport fare increases have again been kept within the CPI increase, with no change to the 50c student fare, or for the fares used by most concession passengers.
Planning and infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the new fares would apply to bus, train and ferry passengers from July 1.
“The new fares still represent enormous value, especially with fuel prices climbing, and have been structured to impact least on families with school children and on concession card holders,” Ms MacTiernan said.
There has been no change in the 50 cent student fare introduced under Labor, nor in concession fares up to and including two zones, which covers 85 per cent of concession journeys.
“Other concession fares, including the Day Rider, will increase by only 10 cents,” the Minister said.
“Standard fares for up to three zones will increase by 10 cents, from four to six zones by 20 cents and from seven to nine zones and the Family Rider and Day Rider by 30 cents, per journey.
“Standard fares will increase by an average 3.4 per cent, weighted on passenger numbers using each category. Concession fares will rise 1.1 per cent and overall fares will increase by an average 2.7 per cent.”
This compared with a projected 3.4 per cent CPI increase for the year.
“As a result of rounding off to the nearest 10 cents, the impact of these changes varies for each fare type and zone, but the total weekly increase for a commuter on the highest standard fare, which covers 30 hours of public transport use, is still only $3,” Ms MacTiernan said.
“Regular public transport users would also be well aware that using SmartRider cards provides discounts of either 15 per cent or 25 per cent depending on how they are reloaded, further reducing the impact of any fare increase.”
The Minister said the PTA estimated that on average each day more than 60 per cent of journeys were taken using SmartRider cards; many other, non-peak passengers took advantage of the FamilyRider and DayRider cash tickets.
On average, public transport fares contributed less than 30 per cent of the cost of delivering the service.