(AUS) City saver fares to be dumped to pave the way for myki smartcards

[Pakenhamtrain]

From the Herald Sun

City saver fares to be dumped to pave the way for myki smartcards

 

# John Ferguson From: Herald Sun June 18, 2010 12:00AM

 

EXCLUSIVE: THOUSANDS of city commuters will be hit with big fare increases to pave the way for the myki smartcard.

 

The Government is planning to dump the popular city saver fare system and force commuters to pay up to 76c extra for the equivalent multi-trip ticket.

 

The decision to dump city saver fares will mean most myki tram users only have to swipe the card once - when they enter a tram.

 

Is the government out of line? Speak your mind on scrapping the city saver fare in the comments below

 

There will, however, be an exception on three outer-suburban routes - tram numbers 74, 86 and 109 - with travellers having to swipe on and then off to ensure they are charged the correct amount if they travel within Zone 2.

 

The fare changes will mean city saver is dumped in favour of Zone 1 fares.

City saver fares stretch to Richmond, South Yarra, Carlton, North Melbourne and Docklands.

 

The changes will mean consumers who now use a single city saver Metcard will face a fare increase of 14c from $2.80 to $2.94.

 

Those who use a bulk city saver Metcard will face a fare increase of 76c - from $2.18 to $2.94.

 

There are about 35,000 city saver trips taken each week and consumers will be able to keep buying these tickets as long as Metcard machines remain turned on.

 

Public Transport Minister Martin Pakula said the changes would mean a flatter fare structure.

 

"It makes sense to make a flat fare for the majority of tram journeys a Zone 1 ticket," he told the Herald Sun.

 

"This will ensure that people will never have to pay more than that."

 

The move will require further testing of the myki system, but insiders still believe the cards could be used across trams, trains and buses before the election.

 

The overwhelming majority of city saver trips are on trams.

 

However, city savers make up a tiny percentage of the overall tickets bought.

 

Shadow transport spokesman Terry Mulder said the Government had promised to provide the lowest fares for consumers under myki.

 

"Instead of offering cheap fares, John Brumby wants to force Victorians to pay more on public transport or abandon trains, trams and buses for Labor's heavily congested roads," he said.

 

"This huge fare rise will hit many city workers who live in suburbs such as South Yarra, as well as tourists who catch a tram one way and walk the other to enjoy Melbourne's sights."

 

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/city-saver-fares-to-be-dumped-to-pave-the-way-for-myki-smartcards/story-e6frf7jo-1225881116172

 

So much for a system that caters for our needs. We need to cater for it.......

On the other hand it works on the train system very well.