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Action for Public Transport (N.S.W.) Inc.

NEWS RELEASE: Beat the Fare Rises

posted Friday 21 November 2008
Commuters who act quickly can avoid the coming fare hikes, says a transport consumer group.

Allan Miles, secretary of Action for Public Transport, said that commuters should order a yearly ticket now, or stock up on TravelTens, TravelPasses and even single bus tickets.

"The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) is still considering the amount of the fare rises," Mr Miles said, "but increases are certain." He said that bus fares are likely to rise by about five (5) per cent, and most single and weekly rail fares by between eight and sixteen (8-16) per cent.

"TravelPass prices are likely to increase by about six to ten (6-10) per cent," Mr Miles said.

The rises will take effect from 1st January.

Mr Miles said that commuters should consider buying season tickets at the current price. "Yearly rail and TravelPass tickets cost only 40 times a weekly," Mr Miles said, "and if you order them now, you get the whole twelve months at today's price."

He stressed that the order must be placed before the fare rises are officially announced, which is expected to be early December. "Tickets ordered after that time," he said, "will be charged partly at the old rate but mostly at the new rate."

"Even without the fare rise," he said, "a yearly ticket is good value, and you only have to queue up once."

"For example," he said, "the current Blacktown to City rail weekly costs $41 and a yearly costs $1,684. If you buy a yearly ticket now you get unlimited travel for the next twelve months for $32 a week ($1,684 divided by 52). That beats the proposed new price of $48 a week," he said. "Similar savings are available on other rail tickets and on TravelPasses."

Mr Miles said that rail tickets can be bought for any period from 30 to 365 days, and TravelPasses come in quarterly and yearly versions. Application forms can be found at railway stations and on-line.

"The large up-front cost might be a burden," Mr Miles said, "but some employers will provide an interest-free loan to purchase the yearly ticket, with the repayments coming from salary."

"TravelTens, weekly TravelPasses, and even single bus tickets can be bought in bulk from agents at the current price," Mr Miles said," and used at any time in the future. "Bus tickets bought now give you a triple whammy", he said. "Discounted fares, avoiding the price rise, and being able to use the many pre-pay bus routes."

Contact: Allan Miles9516-1906
Kevin Eadie9819-6052




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