[sustran] Re: Info on Free Public Transport or Transit

[Perkins, Alan (DTUP)]

As Kirk says, Adelaide did experiment with free school childrens' travel,
with the stated results.

Adelaide now recoups about 20% of the operating cost of the metropolitan
public transport system in fares (around Aus $60million per annum).  Fares
are moderate by Australian standards (eg. Aus $ 2.20 - around US $1.65 - for
a two-hour ticket), and a substantial proportion of travellers qualify for
half price concession fares (school children, pensioners, unemployed etc.).
Hence, price does not appear to feature as a factor in customer complaints
or in strategies for increasing patronage.  In fact, there is an advertising
campaign that points out that 'catching the Adelaide Metro. to work you
could save you up to $9,000 (Aus) a year" - by selling the second car.

So, from our experience, any idea of making the system free would be costly,
and sits well below other measures of increasing frequency, reducing travel
times, improving safety and quality of service etc. - all measures that will
be expensive.

As with Perth, the buses that run round the city centre are free.

Alan Perkins

-----Original Message-----
From:
sustran-discuss-bounces+alan.perkins=transport.sa.gov.au at list.jca.apc.or
g
[mailto:sustran-discuss-bounces+alan.perkins=transport.sa.gov.au at list.jc
a.apc.org]On Behalf Of Kirk Bendall
Sent: Tuesday, 23 November 2004 4:53 PM
To: Asia and the Pacific sustainable transport
Subject: [sustran] Re: Info on Free Public Transport or Transit


Hello,
if I remember correctly, some years ago, Adelaide
cancelled its anytime free travel for school students
policy as graffiti/vandalism soared and sometimes
other travellers felt uncomfortable as not as quiet as
usual in their One person operated vehicles. 

I distinguish the proposal from Perth's CDB Free
Travel Zone and CityCats, which are definitely
transferable to Auckland. Adelaide also has free CBD
circulators. These are Clearly focused on making it
easier for all to get around the CBD, connect to
stations, Uni(varsity), malls, Hospital and ferries
etc. The Unsworth report in NSW has recommended CBD
Shuttle buses for Newcastle, Sydeny and Wollongong
(~4.5million pop). see
www.transport.nsw.gov.au/busreview/

Comparing city-wide free buses With proposals to
electrify/extend to airport Auckland's small suburban
railsystem, and as most oil is imported, there are
other alternatives IMHO which could produce better
transport outcomes for the money.

If perceived as a "free ride" such a propsal, may not
be politically sustainable when the next
administration comes on board.

Free travel would tend to encourage urban sprawl,
growing kms driven and demand for freeways in future
years.

Kirk Bendall
Wollongong (erst-while rider of Auckland's Yellow
Bus's and ex-Perth rail cars)
 --- roland at actrix.co.nz wrote: 
> Hi
> 
> Recently a proposal has been floated in New
> Zealand's major city Auckland
> for a zero fare policy coupled with a massive
> expansion of the bus
> service.  I am aware of the range of factors besides
> fares which influence
> use of bus services.
> 
> I would be interested in knowing of any examples or
> evaluations of free
> public transport, as the only specific example I
> have been able to find is
> in inner-city Perth in Western Austrailia.
> 
> Any suggestions or pointers much appreciated
> 
> Thanks in advance for any help
> 
> Roland Sapsford
> Advisor
> Green Party in the Parliament of Aotearoa New
> Zealand
> 
>  

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