New Bus Fares for the NT 2009

[dave]

As Of the 1st Jan. 09 all pensioner's will travel on any public bus service in the NT for free. Old age,single parent,disable and senior card holders. And on the 28th Jan 09 all school aged children will travel free, going to school or not. The other thing is you do not need to show a card to say what you are, you only need to say that you are on a pension or a school child to get free travel. But the tax payer will still have to pay for a fare to travel.
So when the bus is full,a full paying passenger will not be allowed on because there are not enough buses to cater for this.

Tell me what you think of this.

[1whoknows]

Darwin beceomes the first Australian city to achieve 100% pensioner and child loadings on its transport network. Even those carrying toolkits, briefcases and the like (except for maybe a handful afflicted with terminal honesty) will all suddenly and temporarily become pensioners for the duration of their travel.

Its not 1 April up there by any chance is it???

[BroadGauge]

The other thing is you do not need to show a card to say what you are, you only need to say that you are on a pension or a school child to get free travel

Why keep equipment for selling tickets on the buses - they won't get used if it's possible for virtually anyone to say "Im a pensioner" to the driver and get a free ride.

I presume that there will be inspectors out to enforce this?

[User xxx]

Didn`t adelaide a number years ago have scheme like for pensioners and the unemployed till 9 am you paid 0.20 flat fare and travel anywhere in adelaide on sta buses and trains and the tram and then after 9 am you can travel free it been a while since I seen a fare scheme like so the unemployed are not included in this route660.

[Member1100]

Jamie Packer, Nicole Kidman, Greg Norman and Kylie Minogue just rang. They wanted me to pass on the message that should they visit Darwin at some point in the future, please remember they are pensioners.

Thanks.

[busdriver12]

As Of the 1st Jan. 09 all pensioner's will travel on any public bus service in the NT for free. Old age,single parent,disable and senior card holders. And on the 28th Jan 09 all school aged children will travel free, going to school or not. The other thing is you do not need to show a card to say what you are, you only need to say that you are on a pension or a school child to get free travel. But the tax payer will still have to pay for a fare to travel.
So when the bus is full,a full paying passenger will not be allowed on because there are not enough buses to cater for this.

Tell me what you think of this.

I know that a similar scheme has been promised by our incoming Liberal Govt here in WA, however it's been put back until April at this stage. The difference between the NT and WA models is that in WA, it will be available to Seniors only via their Smartrider Card (i.e. smart card) which doubles as their Seniors Card. Presently, Seniors get free travel on Sundays and Public Holidays and the promised scheme will see that extended to all day Saturday and from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm or 4.00 pm as I am not sure of the exact times.

Allowing free travel without requiring proof of eligibility is a can of worms that will be almost impossible to close once opened. As no-one will be required to prove they are eligible revenue will take a steep dive. Under those conditions, they may as well make the public transport system free to everyone because this will be impossible to police.

I wonder which Eienstein thought of this one.

[tone167]

I remember back in the late 80s/early 90s in Adelaide when all school children were able to travel on buses for free at any time of the day, 7 days a week. I spent many a school holiday doing nothing but riding buses, trains and trams just for sh*ts and giggles. I just wish I'd taken gunzelling more seriously back then.

[Member1100]

I remember back in the late 80s/early 90s in Adelaide when all school children were able to travel on buses for free at any time of the day, 7 days a week. I spent many a school holiday doing nothing but riding buses, trains and trams just for sh*ts and giggles. I just wish I'd taken gunzelling more seriously back then.

Its quite possible that the only people who were enjoying "sh*ts and giggles" (i.e. giving you sh*t and having a big giggle) were your fellow school buddies who were wondering why you couldnt find better things to do on your school holidays??

[The Mayor]

I have proposed similar arrangements here for Adelaide. I have written to MP's, Transport SA, Editor of the Advertiser (and they were published) about giving FREE transport to anyone holding a 'Senior's Card'.

I think these people deserve it. It is frustrating having to watch someone in their 80's fumble with money then having to try and find the slot for their ticket because their eye sight is failing. Not fair for them in front of other passengers.

I wouldn't give free transport to every pensioner as a heap of these people wrought the system anyway, so why give in to them.

Again it is the poor middle classes worker that still has to pay full tote odds with NO benefits.

[Bidgee]

I didn't mind the system the NT had. $2 full fare that lasted 3 hours and a 50 cent fare for those with concession cards (including the Health Care Card) that also lasted for 3 hours. Darwin Bus doesn't have the bus numbers on the major routes in peak hours to handle the passenger numbers as it was but I hate to think what it's going to be like when that system is put in place.