Sunshine Coast commuters angry at fare hikes and timetable changes

Sunshine Coast commuters have expressed their anger at the Government's scrapping of capped monthly and season tickets and plans to change the timetable which would leave them much worse off.

The previous draft timetable did not represent an improvement in services for Sunshine Coast commuters, who would be facing longer journeys to work under the proposed changes. 

Due to the inflexible fare structure of Labor's go card, our public transport fares rank among the most expensive in the world and the hikes are set to continue until 2014.  The Bligh government will more than double go card fares in just five years, which is an increase of more than five times CPI.

With traffic congestion increasing, we need to encourage more people to use public transport, not force them onto our roads.

The former Minister for Transport refused to respond to my request on behalf of Sunshine Coast State Members of Parliament to meet with Sunshine Coast commuters regarding their concerns about the proposed changes.

The draft timetables released late last year would mean that commuters would be forced to leave home earlier and return later trains and peak-hour trains would stop at an extra seven stations lengthening what are already the longest commuter services.

Now that the TransLink website advises that new timetables will be operating in early June, I have asked the new Transport Minister to release information about how Sunshine Coast commuters concerns have been addressed.

Commuters are wanting improved frequency of services, more effective timetabling and extended operating hours to justify the fare increases and make public transport a workable option for them.

The LNP will make delivering flexible public transport which delivers value for money for commuters a real priority.