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

A spokesman for APT, Allan Miles, said that government and private bus fares across Sydney will be standardised from 4th January. "Some bus fares will rise, some will fall, and some will stay the same," he said, "And the price of the Pensioner Excursion Ticket (PET) will more than double."

"Ferry fares also went up on 12th December," said Mr Miles, "but the government refrained from increasing rail fares while the trains are in such a mess."

"The good news," said Mr Miles, "is that TravelPasses, which allow use of buses, ferries and trains in various combinations, will stay the same price." He urged regular travellers to take advantage of this amnesty and buy a TravelPass or upgrade their weekly TravelPass into a longer term ticket. "A quarterly TravelPass costs 11 times a weekly, and a yearly one costs only 40 times a weekly," Mr Miles said, "so big savings can be had in both money and time."

"Users of weekly rail tickets should also consider investing in monthly or longer-term tickets while the prices are low," he said. "Train fares are bound to go up later in 2005."

Mr Miles advised regular bus and ferry users to save money with FerryTen or TravelTen tickets. "FerryTens give discounts of 25% to 35% on most single fares," he said, "and they have no expiry date."

"Most TravelTens give discounts of around 20% on single bus fares," Mr Miles said, "but if you stock up at the current prices before January 4th you can save even more. A TravelTen bought now can be used at any time in the future," he said.

Mr Miles said that TravelTens and other pre-purchased tickets save time when getting on the bus. "Paying cash fares slows everybody down." While he welcomed the technology in the proposed Tcard, Mr Miles considers that it will not solve the cash fare problem. "People who don't pre-purchase a ticket now, for whatever reason," he said, "are unlikely to buy a Tcard."

The Seniors' all-day ticket increases from $1.10 to $2.50, but expands to cover transport in all areas of Sydney. However, Mr Miles warned seniors that they need not pay $2.50 every time. "If your only trip for the day is to the local shops or club, perhaps you can buy a concession bus ticket for 80 cents each way, and pay only $1.60 instead of $2.50," he said.

Mr Miles fears the bus door will become an enquiry counter. "Seniors know all about the $2.50 ticket," he said, "but alternative tickets for short trips have not been publicised, despite APT having raised the issue with the Ministry of Transport months ago." "Buses could be delayed," he said, "while people discuss fare options with the driver."

Mr Miles also called for the Pensioner Excursion Ticket to be sold off-bus, perhaps in packets of four for $10. "Further discounts are not required," he said, "but it will save a lot of time by not having to pay the driver." "Concerns about use of the PET by ineligible people can be overcome by on-board checks," he said.

Contact: Allan Miles 9516-1906